Program Expectations and Requirements

Synopsis:

  • 2 weeks on site at Western for each year of course enrollment
  • Participation in online coursework for a minimum of 9 terms and a maximum of 12 terms
  • Choice of two streams - thesis stream (completion of 4.0 course credits plus a thesis) OR non-thesis stream (completion of 4.5 course credits plus a research project and a major essay)
  • a maximum of 1 course credit may be taken outside this program

Detailed outline of the program requirements

Students are required to participate in the two week on-site at Western for each year of course enrollment in the program. Students are strongly encouraged to consider additional on-site visits during the course of their thesis and/or research project/major essay preparation.

Participation in the online course work can be completed at a minimum of three terms with full time enrollment or a maximum of 12 terms with part time enrollment.  In order to achieve completion of a thesis and/or research project/major essay an additional two to three terms may be required.  Under special circumstances a maximum of 15 terms or 5 years will be considered.

A record of the student's progress is maintained in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. The grade submissions at the end of each course are submitted according to the deadlines required by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Western and made available through their online student services account. It is necessary that students maintain an overall "B" grade point average during the completion of their coursework and projects throughout the program. The Degree of Master of Clinical Science (MClSc) in Family Medicine is awarded to those that have successfully completed the on-site activities, the coursework, and research components of the program in one of the following two ways;

  • Thesis - 590 plus 4.0 course credits or
  • Non-Thesis - 595 (Research Project and Major Essay) plus 4.5 course credits.

An optional course (0.5 equivalent) selected from masters programs around the world and approved by the Program Director, the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies at Western and the provider University are eligible for consideration towards the degree.

Thesis (590)

The thesis process is in accordance with the requirements of the Master of Clinical Science Degree of Western University.  Thesis supervisor(s) are identified based on research expertise and availability by the Director of the Program. Defense of the thesis will be before a board of examiners as outlined by the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies thesis regulations.

Non-Thesis (595)

1. Research Project

Students are expected to conceive, plan, execute, and write a report of their study. Each student will undertake the project under the direction of an assigned supervisor. The written report of the study will be critically evaluated by the supervisor and two other faculty members of the Department of Family Medicine who will assign the final grade.

AND

2. Major Essay in Family Medicine

The students are expected to demonstrate a rigorous and scholarly approach to the discipline of family medicine by writing an essay of approximately 2000 words. Each student will undertake the project under the direction of an assigned supervisor. The written report of the study will be critically evaluated by the supervisor and two other faculty members of the Department of Family Medicine who will assign the final grade.