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Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities Program (McMaster University, Hamilton)
Interested in fully applying all that training in the humanities to health-related professions? McMaster’s Integrated Rehabilitation and Humanities (IRH) Program is Canada’s only undergrad program focusing on rehab science and the humanities, giving students an understanding of the complex nature of health and wellbeing. The IRH Program fosters enhanced communication, reflexivity, and observation skills so that students are better able to meet the health-related and social needs of those in their care. Learn what it means to be human at its most fundamental level!
IRH is an upper-year entry program. Students begin in year two, after completing year one in any faculty. Students choose a third of their courses from the Faculty of Humanities in areas that match their interests to benefit from an arts-based education. An additional half of their courses are focused on health and rehabilitation, where students delve into clinical practice and research, understand the human body, and boost their interviewing and observational skills. The remaining coursework is drawn from other undergraduate programs at McMaster. This unique mix of courses enables students to successfully navigate the ethical, cultural, and scientific complexities of health care and the health sector.
As part of the IRH degree requirements, students complete a minimum 60-hour practicum as part of their third inquiry-based course. During this practicum, they will receive supervised, practical experience in an employment-related field of study. Placement examples include long-term care facilities, rehab centres, hospitals, community-based placements, or private businesses. Additionally, students will complete a research thesis project. This project could include a literature review, data collection or analysis, or a presentation. Students will then share their work with the IRH community towards the end of the academic year.
Interest in IRH continues to grow, and enrolment has tripled since its inaugural year two years ago. Graduates of this program are well-poised to explore post-graduate healthcare professional training, such as physical therapy, occupational therapy, massage therapy, chiropractic, audiology, speech-language pathology, medicine and/or other allied health careers that involve clinical assessment and intervention. Students may also find careers in health services support and development, such as health policy analysts and researchers, consultants, program developers and other careers affiliated with health and human resources.
Ready to explore health science programs that align with your goals? Our expert educational consultants are here to help you navigate the wide range of health science programs across the country. Whether you’re passionate about rehabilitation, medicine, or the history of healthcare, we can guide you to the right path. Book an appointment today to discuss how we can help you find the program that aligns with your passions and career goals.
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