Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)



Meet Gillian Mandich, PhD candidate in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences

“The PhD program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences empowers me to use the skills and knowledge I’ve learned to promote health in innovative and creative ways.”

Supervisor: Dr. Linda Miller

What’s the best advice you could give to someone considering applying to your graduate program?
Spend time learning not only about the academic/course requirements in a program, but speak to students and faculty, and really get to know the people in the program because your graduate experience is so much more than just the classes you take.

Describe your research.
My research investigates happiness and health. My PhD project uses online happiness video modules that are based on positive psychology and happiness theories to guide students to explore ways to enhance their own happiness, physical wellbeing, and mental health.

What is your “dream” career?
I love to teach, and so my dream career involves teaching about health across a variety of platforms, from university classrooms to television, radio, and other media.

What idea would you like to share with the Western graduate community?
Graduate studies are such a privilege – the process isn’t always easy, but when you are passionate and love what you are studying, the opportunity to study at a graduate level is unlike any others to learn.

What do you do in your spare time?
Movement is my creative outlet, it liberates my body and my mind. I have a passion for fitness and yoga – I am a certified yoga and “Yoga Tune Up” teacher; two-time IronGirl; enjoy Olympic lifting, dancing like nobody is watching, and rock climbing; and I am a recreational CrossFitter.

What one thing would you like people to know about you? My personal mission is to educate people about evidence-based health information so they can lead a happy, healthy life.

Program Websites


Program Contact

Health and Rehabilitation Sciences Program

Western University
Elborn College Rm 1021A
London, Ontario N6G 1H1
Email: hrsinfo@uwo.ca

The graduate program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University provides both master's and PhD students with a unique opportunity to explore issues and ideas related to the health of Canadians, and others, in an inter-disciplinary forum. The program involves research that will contribute to the theoretical and practical knowledge of health and rehabilitation disciplines along with contributions to new, emerging aspects of health and rehabilitation that cross disciplinary boundaries. The interdisciplinary nature of our program allows students to tailor their studies to specific interests. The depth and breadth of the nine fields of study allow us to offer a unique and innovative graduate program.

The Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program also offers four combined clinical programs which include; physical therapy (MPT/PhD), occupational therapy (MScOT/PhD), audiology (MClSc/PhD), and speech-language-pathology (MClSc/PhD).


The Own Your Future doctoral professional development program will help you become a career-ready graduate with the skills necessary to excel in your studies and achieve your future goals. By participating in the program, you will assess your own strengths and opportunities for growth, choose what skills you want to enhance during your time at Western, and learn how to articulate the skills you gained in your degree to optimize your future career opportunities. To learn more, visit www.uwo.ca/ownyourfuture.

Program Length

  • 12 Terms (Full-time studies)
  • 18-24 Terms (Flex-time studies)

Program Design

  • Full-time study and flex-time study
  • Thesis-based

Funding Information

Applicants are encouraged to apply for the following scholarships (if eligible):

Tuition and Fees

Tuition and fee schedules (per term) are posted on the Office of the Registrar's website at http://www.registrar.uwo.ca/student_finances/fees_refunds/fee_schedules.html

Graduate Student Affordability Calculator

Use this helpful tool to estimate how much money you will need to pay for your tuition, fees, housing, food, and other necessities for a 12-month (three term) academic year.

Admission Requirements

  • Master's degree from an accredited university and evidence of research potential.
  • Achieved at least a 75% average in the master's degree.

Note: Equivalent or professional qualifications may be considered based on the standards of the discipline or profession.

Additional Requirements

You are required to make contact with a supervisor who agrees to take you as a student. When you submit an application, we confirm with the supervisor named in the application process. Please consult our WEBSITE to see the list of supervisors and their areas of research.

English Language Proficiency

Applicants whose first language is not English must furnish evidence of their proficiency in the use of the English language:

Application Deadline

PhD Deadline

  • March 1 - international students
  • June 30 - domestic and permanent resident students
Combined Program Deadlines

  • January 5: - combined MClSc/PhD
  • January 5: - combined MScOT/PhD and MPT/PhD

Fields of Research

  • Health and Aging
  • Health Professional Education
  • Health Promotion
  • Hearing Science
  • Measurement and Methods
  • Occupational Science
  • Physical Therapy
  • Speech and Language Science