Section 4
Students and graduates from university health education programs

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4.1 Number of students enrolled in university health education programs

4.2 Characteristics of students enrolled in health education programs

4.3 Number of graduates from university health education programs

4.4 University graduation rates and the distribution of university graduates across fields of study

4.5 Characteristics of graduates from health education programs

The number of students enrolled in health education programs provides an indication of the volume of activity taking place in the different health education programs. Increases in enrolment over time may reflect an increase in demand among potential students for that particular program and / or an increase in the capacity of that program to enrol and accommodate a larger number of students (with or without an associated increase in demand).

New graduates from health education programs in Canada are a major source of supply into health occupations and as such, information on the number of graduates from health education programs is an important indicator used in health human resources planning. In turn, the number of persons enrolled in health education programs and graduates from these programs are affected by a number of factors including the attractiveness of the health field to potential students, the academic preparation and personal aptitude of potential students, program capacity, support available to potential and current students, and the availability and location of programs.

Stakeholders have identified the need to know more about various issues related to enrolment in and graduation from health programs including the characteristics of students attending and graduating from these programs, the extent to which traditionally under-represented groups are gaining access to and are represented in health programs, attrition rates from health programs and the characteristics of students who leave health programs before completing their studies as well as their reasons for doing so, the factors underlying changes in enrolment and graduates figures, and the need to assess enrolment levels and the supply of graduates against labour-market needs.

Statistics Canada data sources are beginning to address some of these issues. Information presented in this section, for both enrolment and graduates, is based on combined data from the University Student Information System (USIS) and the Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS). Since the early 1970s, USIS has been the vehicle used by Statistics Canada to collect data on enrolment and graduates from all public universities in Canada. Statistics Canada began to develop PSIS in the mid-to-late 1990s with the intention that it would replace USIS and other postsecondary enrolment and graduate surveys conducted by Statistics Canada in order to address the shortcomings of these surveys and to provide additional information needed by policy makers and other stakeholders. Both USIS and PSIS are censuses in that they obtain data from the administrative files of public universities on all enrolments and graduates.

In 2000, phased implementation of PSIS began across Canada. Universities that have not yet implemented PSIS continue to use USIS as their data reporting mechanism. In 2005/2006, the latest year for which university data are available, 65% of public universities, representing nearly 60% of university enrolment, were reporting using PSIS. While the number of institutions reporting through PSIS increases each year, the number of institutions that converted from USIS to PSIS was very small between 2004/2005 and 2005/2006.

4.1 Number of students enrolled in university health education programs

Enrolment in health education programs increased at all levels of study

In 2005/2006, the number of students enrolled in health programs increased from the previous academic year at each level of university study. In 2005/2006, there were 51,000 students enrolled in health programs in Canadian public universities at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, up 8% from the year before. At the master's level, there were 7,900 students enrolled in health programs, representing a one-year increase of 9%. Over the same year, total enrolment in health programs at the doctoral level also increased at a similar rate, 7%, increasing from 1,800 to 1,900 students. Health programs posted a faster rate of growth than total enrolment at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees (3%) and master's level (0.4%), while growth in doctoral-level health programs reflected overall growth rates at this level (6%) (Table 4.1.1).

Information on students enrolled in and graduating from health education programs in Canadian universities is broken-down according to the following levels of study:

• Bachelor and other undergraduate degrees: includes bachelor, first professional and applied degree programs;
• Master's level: includes all programs so named;
• Doctoral level: includes students in doctorate of philosophy (Ph.D.) programs and equivalent earned doctorates; and
• Other graduate level – residencies: covers students in medical and dental residency programs.

It is not clear however whether these single year increases in health programs are part of a larger trend as this would require an examination of changes in enrolment over a longer period of time (both historically and into the future). At this time, it is not possible to observe historical trends in enrolment (e.g., over the past ten-year period) because of changes in the data collection system used to collect enrolment (and graduation) information from universities and improvements in how universities classify students according to program of study, particularly in terms of the more detailed health programs (see Text box entitled "A note on USIS and PSIS data limitations" above, and Appendix 1 and 6 for more details).

Enrolment growth observed in university health education programs—examined here over a single year—occurred in a broader context of growing employment in the health care sector. According to the latest Census figures, employment in the health care and social assistance sector—Canada's second largest service industry—increased by an average of 2.6% a year between 2001 and 2006. These gains were widespread from ambulatory services to medical laboratories to hospitals (Statistics Canada 2008). Rising employment opportunities may have a positive impact on future enrolments in the associated fields of study.

Enrolment increases were widespread across individual health programs

At the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, enrolment increases were widespread across the individual health programs. These increases were concentrated in nursing (1,900 more students), public health (900 more students), and medical (M.D.) programs (300 more students). These were equivalent to increases of 8%, 96%, and 4%, respectively. In contrast, enrolment in dentistry programs was stable while it declined in programs leading to rehabilitation and therapeutic professions by about 300 students, the equivalent of a 10% drop. This decline may be related to the fact that these programs are in the process of changing their entry-to-practice credentials from bachelor to master's degrees. All Canadian physiotherapy programs are scheduled to offer master's entry-level credentials by 2010, while occupational therapy educational programs will only grant academic accreditation to those programs that lead to a master's degree as the entry credential by 2008 (Canadian Institute for Health Information 2007). In fact, enrolment in rehabilitation and therapeutic professions at the master's level was up 22% (the equivalent of 300 students) in 2005/2006 over the previous year (Table 4.1.1).

Similar to what was observed at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, most individual health programs posted enrolment increases between 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 at the master's and doctoral levels. Along with rehabilitation and therapeutic professions at the master's level, nursing (200 more students, equivalent to a 12% increase) also posted the largest increases, while the medical scientist (50 more students or 13% increase) and nursing (30 more students or 9% increase) programs did so at the doctoral level. These are among the largest programs, respectively, at these two levels of study (Table 4.1.1).

In addition to students enrolled in health programs, there were a substantial number of students in health-related programs

In addition to those students pursuing health programs, there were also a substantial number of students enrolled in the selected health-related programs covered in this report (i.e., psychology, social work, and health and physical education). In 2005/2006, they accounted for 66,100 students at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level (equivalent to 9% of total enrolment at this level), 6,100 students at the master's level (equivalent to 6% of total enrolment), and 3,300 students at the doctoral level (equivalent to 9% of total doctoral enrolment) (Table 4.1.1).

It is also worth noting that there were large numbers of students pursuing biological and life sciences programs, for example, biology, biotechnology, and genetics, who may or may not eventually move into the health fields and / or other fields that may have an impact in some way on the health of individuals or on the delivery of healthcare (e.g., discoveries made by bioengineers with applications to health apparatuses such as pace makers). Students in related biological and life sciences programs or other natural sciences are not examined in this report.

The total number of students enrolled in university health programs varied across the provinces. This reflects the number of health programs offered, their location, and size. Not all programs are offered in every province (see Text box entitled "Availability of selected training programs across Canada" below). In these cases, some provinces negotiate for seats in other provinces. However, it must be noted that enrolment figures presented in this report reflect enrolments by province of study, not by province of residence.

In 2005/2006, at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, the size of health programs (in terms of total enrolment) ranged from about 300 students in Prince Edward Island, distributed among only three programs—allied health diagnostic, intervention and treatment professions; health / medical preparatory programs; and nursing—to 19,300 students in Ontario, distributed across the broad spectrum of health programs. At this level of study, Quebec (13,000), Ontario (19,300), and British Columbia (3,500)—the three largest provinces in terms of population—accounted for 70% of all students enrolled in health programs in the country. However, Alberta accounted for a larger proportion (9%) of all health students in Canada than did British Columbia (7%). Similarly, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia accounted for about two-thirds (69%) of all health students at the master's and doctoral levels in Canada.

Along with differences in the number of students enrolled and the number of specific health programs offered, there was some variability in the relative size of health programs within the university system of each province. At the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, health programs accounted for between 5% (British Columbia) and 13% (Saskatchewan) of total enrolment at this level. At the national level, health programs accounted for 7% of enrolment at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level.

At the master's level, health programs accounted for between 6% (Quebec and Prince Edward Island) and 15% (Alberta) of total enrolment at this level, compared to 8% at the national level. At the doctoral level, all provinces offered health programs with the exception of Prince Edward Island and New Brunswick. In all of the provinces that offered health programs but two (Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta), health students accounted for between 1% (Nova Scotia) and 6% (Manitoba) of students at this level of study, compared to 5% at the national level. In Alberta, health students accounted for 13% of doctoral enrolment and they accounted for 14% of this enrolment in Newfoundland and Labrador. Alberta stood out at the graduate levels for having a higher proportion of graduate students in health programs than average. This may be related to strong economic growth in the province and provincial investment in university R&D in the health and social sectors (Tables 4.1.1 to 4.1.11 and Chart 4.1).

Chart 4.1
Variation in the relative size of health programs within the university system, 2005/2006

4.2 Characteristics of students enrolled in health education programs

In general, women continue to comprise the overwhelming majority of health students in Canadian universities

Traditionally, women have been the majority in most health occupations (Galarneau 2003) and in those education and training programs leading to these positions. In Canadian public universities in 2005/2006, this was still the case.

In health programs, women accounted for four out of every five students at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees and master's levels, and almost two-thirds (64%) of enrolment in health programs at the doctoral level. Their representation in health programs overall at each level of study was fairly similar to the year before. Women had a greater presence in health programs than at these three levels of study in general. Women accounted for 58% of all students at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, 54% of all master's students, and slightly less than half, 46%, of doctoral students (Table 4.2.1 and Chart 4.2).

Women comprise at least half of the student body in almost all health programs at each level of study, although there is some variation in their representation across the individual programs. Dentistry—traditionally a male-dominated field—enrolled the lowest proportion of women than any other health program at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level (54%). Women have not yet reached parity in advanced dentistry programs at the master's and doctoral levels, 41% and 44% respectively (Table 4.2.1).

Women also comprise more than half of all students in medicine (M.D.) programs at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level. Their percentage representation in this field, 59%, is in line with their overall representation at the undergraduate level (Table 4.2.1).

Mirroring the situation at the national level, the vast majority of students in health education programs are women in all provinces at all levels of study. In all provinces, at least three-quarters or more of health students are women at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees and master's levels, as are half (56%) or more at the doctoral level (Tables 4.2.2 to 4.2.11 and Chart 4.2).

Chart 4.2
Women comprise the majority of health students, 2005/2006

Students taking health programs are usually older particularly at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level

At the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level of study, students aged 24 and younger are considered to make up the typical university-going cohort. Although there is no difference in the average age of health students compared to all bachelor and other undergraduate degrees students (the average age of both groups is 21), a much larger percentage of health students are older than the typical university-going cohort. In 2005/2006, 36% of health students were older than 24 years of age compared to 19% of all bachelor and other undergraduate degrees students (Table 4.3.1).

The age profile of health students at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level of study is influenced by the comparatively high proportion of older students in nursing and medicine, the two largest health programs at this level of study. About 42% of nursing students were 25 years of age or older in 2005/2006, as were 46% of students in medicine (M.D.). This higher than average proportion of students aged 25 and over in medicine is likely related to the fact that a bachelor degree is the typical prerequisite for entrance into the program, which means that students are not entering medicine until their mid-20s. Furthermore, examining changes in the number of students with graduate degrees upon entry to medical (M.D.) programs may also help to explain the makeup of the student body in terms of age. In the case of nursing, the ability to disaggregate the enrolment in bachelor and other undergraduate degrees programs in terms of entry-to-practice programs (i.e., programs enabling successful graduates to apply for initial licensure) and post-registered nursing programs (programs for registered nurses already in the labour force who want to obtain their degree) would go some way in explaining the age structure of the nursing student body (Table 4.3.1).

At the master's level in 2005/2006, about half (55%) of health students were under 30 years of age, 26% were between 30 and 39 years, and 19% were 40 or older. On average, health students at the master's level were 31 years old. When compared to master's students in all programs, health enrolment showed a similar age structure (Table 4.4.1).

At the doctoral level, 38% of students in health programs were under 30, 37% were between the ages of 30 and 39, and 25% were 40 or older. The average age of health students at the doctoral level was 34, similar to the age of the average doctoral student (33). Health students were more likely to be 40 or older but slightly less likely to be under 30 than the average doctoral student (Table 4.4.1).

At the graduate levels of study, like at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, when individual health programs are looked at, some programs stand out as the age structure of their student body is substantially different from those of the general health student body.

Similar to what was observed at the national level, students in health programs tend to be older than their counterparts in other fields of study in all provinces, particularly at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees and doctoral levels. At the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, the percentage of health students who were older than 24 years of age ranged from 27% in Prince Edward Island (compared to 19% of all students at this level of study) to 55% in British Columbia (compared to 24% of all students at this level of study). In both Prince Edward Island and British Columbia these figures reflect the age structure of the largest programs (in terms of enrolment). In Prince Edward Island, 29% of nursing students were over the age of 24 (Table 4.4.3), and in British Columbia, about two-thirds of students in medicine (M.D.) (66%) and nursing (63%) were over the age of 24 (Tables 4.4.2 to 4.4.11).

International students account for a small proportion of the student body in health programs

While the proportion of international students in Canada who are enrolled in health programs increases somewhat with the level of study, the proportion of international students in health programs is always lower than the proportion of international students in all programs. This smaller presence of international students in health programs than in general may be related to restrictions on the number of seats in Canada available for international students as well as the lack of ease of transferability of credentials in some health programs across borders. However, it is important to track the presence of international students in health programs as they represent a possible source of entrants into the Canadian health labour force. International students may also represent an important source of students particularly for smaller health programs that otherwise may not be viable in terms of enrolment size.

At the national level in 2005/2006, there were 800 international students enrolled in health programs at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, representing 2% of the total number of health students at this level of study. At the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level as a whole, the proportion of international students was also low (6%). At the master's level in 2005/2006, there were 400 international students enrolled in health programs, making up 5% of the student body. This compares to 14% of the entire student body at the master's level. There were slightly more than 200 international students studying health programs at the doctoral level, accounting for 12% of all students in health programs at this level. At the doctoral level as a whole, the proportion of international students was 21%, a higher level of representation than in health programs at this level of study (Table 4.5.1 and Chart 4.3).

With some exceptions, the proportion of international students does not vary much across individual health programs at all levels of study. While a few health programs enrolled a higher proportion of students from abroad than average (e.g., optometry at the master's and doctoral levels), these were mainly smaller health programs (in terms of enrolment) and therefore the number of international students in these programs was also small (Table 4.5.1).

With few exceptions, the proportion of international students in health programs did not vary much by province at each level of study. Most provinces enrolled a similar proportion of international students in health programs as the national average at the bachelor and other undergraduate levels. Saskatchewan enrolled a higher proportion of international students in health programs than average at both the master's and doctoral levels (16% and 25% respectively). British Columbia enrolled a higher proportion of international students than average at the doctoral level (19%). However, in every province, the proportion of international students enrolled in health programs was lower than the proportion enrolled in all programs at each level of study (Tables 4.5.2 to 4.5.11 and Chart 4.3).

Chart 4.3
International students account for a smaller proportion of the student body in health programs than in all programs, 2005/2006

Non-Canadian citizens are less likely to be found in health programs at all levels of university study

At all levels of study, the proportion of Canadian citizens enrolled in health programs is higher than in all programs, thus indicating that non-Canadian citizens are less likely to be found in health programs. PSIS indicates that this is the situation both at the national and provincial levels at all levels of study (Tables 4.6.1 to 4.6.11).

At the national level, 93% of students in health programs at the bachelor and undergraduate levels were Canadian citizens, compared to 88% of students in all programs (Table 4.6.1).

At the master's level, 88% of student taking health programs were Canadian citizens, compared to 75% of students in all programs. At the doctoral level, 74% of health students were Canadian, compared to 61% of all students (Table 4.6.1).

Most students in health programs were enrolled full-time at rates similar to the general student population

In 2005/2006 at the national level, 82% of students in health programs at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level were studying on a full-time basis. The incidence of full-time study in health programs is similar to that among the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees population as whole (85%) (Table 4.7.1).

Full-time students were the overwhelming majority in just about all health programs at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level. Among the larger health programs (measured in terms of enrolment), nursing showed slightly more of a mix between full- and part-time students than health programs in general. In nursing, 31% of students were enrolled on a part-time basis, almost double the proportion in health programs overall. Further research would be of interest to determine to what extent nursing students in entry-to-practice programs are pursuing their program on a part-time basis as compared to those who are in programs intended to service those already qualified nurses who want to upgrade their qualifications to a baccalaureate (Table 4.7.1).

At the master's level, 70% of students were pursuing health programs on a full-time basis. Inversely, this means that about one-third of students (30%) in health programs at this level were pursuing their studies on a part-time basis. About the same proportion of master's students in all programs (32%) was registered as part-time students (Table 4.7.1).

However, when individual health programs are looked at, in all but five programs—nursing (62%), public health (32%), bioethics / medical ethics (27%), health and medical administrative services (25%), and medical illustration and informatics (25%)—the proportion of students studying on a part-time basis is much lower than the average for all health programs taken together (Table 4.7.1).

On average, almost all students (90%) were pursuing their doctorate in health programs on a full-time basis. This is in line with the overall enrolment pattern at this level where 94% of students are enrolled full-time in their programs. With few exceptions, there was not much variation across individual health programs at this level of study in terms of the proportion of students studying on a full-time basis (Table 4.7.1).

Although there were some exceptions, the majority of students in health programs in all provinces were studying on a full-time basis at all levels of study. At the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, the percentage of health students who were enrolled on a full-time basis ranged from 58% in Saskatchewan to 93% in Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island (Table 4.7.2 to 4.7.11). In Saskatchewan, the percentage of health students enrolled on a full-time basis was lower than in other provinces because in nursing—the largest program at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level—only 27% of students were enrolled on a full-time basis (Table 4.7.9).

At the master's level, the percentage of students enrolled on a full-time basis ranged from 40% in Newfoundland and Labrador, where only a handful of small health programs were offered at this level of study, to more than 80% in British Columbia (83%) and Prince Edward Island (100%, which represents enrolment in a small nursing program) (Tables 4.7.2 to 4.7.11).

At the doctoral level, the percentage of students enrolled on a full-time basis ranged from 75% in Manitoba to 97% in Quebec (Tables 4.7.2 to 4.7.11).

4.3 Number of graduates from university health education programs

The following two sections report on the number and characteristics of students who graduated from health education programs offered by Canadian public universities. As was the case with the enrolment information presented above, the source of this information is the Postsecondary Student Information System (PSIS) in combination with the University Student Information System (USIS). The reference period for the graduation data presented in the following two sections is the calendar year. It should be noted that the information presented in the following two sections differs from the profile of graduates presented in Section 5 as that section uses data from the National Graduates Survey (NGS) and the Follow-up Survey of Graduates (FOG) for the Class of 2000.

In 2005, 14,600 students graduated from health education programs from public Canadian universities: 82% (equivalent to 11,900 graduates) of them graduated at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, 16% of them (equivalent to 2,400) graduated from master's level programs, and 2% (equivalent to 200) of them at the doctoral level (Table 4.8.1).

More students graduated from health programs in 2005 than in the previous year at all levels of study. This meant that there were 1,200 more health graduates at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level in 2005 than the year before (equivalent to a 11% increase), 300 more at the master's level (equivalent to a 17% increase), and 24 more at the doctoral level (equivalent to a 11% increase) (Table 4.8.1).

Furthermore, increases in the number of health graduates outpaced growth in the number of total graduates at each level of study. In comparison to the growth rates among health graduates cited above, the total number of graduates at the bachelor and other undergraduates degree level grew 2%. At the master's level, the total number of graduates also increased 2% in 2005 from the year before. Finally, the total number of graduates at the doctoral level remained fairly stable in 2005 (1% increase) (Table 4.8.1).

In addition to the graduates from health education programs, an additional 17,100 students graduated in 2005 from the selected health-related programs covered in this report (i.e., psychology, social work, and health and physical education / fitness). About 86% of them (equivalent to 14,700) graduated at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, 12% at the master's level (equivalent to 2,000), and 1% at the doctoral level (equivalent to 400). In 2005, the number of graduates from the selected health-related programs dipped 2% at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees and doctoral levels over the previous year but increased 5% at the master's level (Table 4.8.1).

Section 4.1 indicated that enrolment in health programs varies by province, with the vast majority of students enrolled in health education programs being found in the most populated provinces. Not surprisingly then, PSIS shows that the most populated provinces in Canada also contributed the vast majority of health graduates in 2005. At the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, Quebec (2,700), Ontario (4,000), and British Columbia (900)—the three largest provinces in terms of population—accounted for 64% of all graduates from health education programs in the country. However, Alberta accounted for a larger share (16%) of all graduates from health education programs in Canada than did British Columbia (8%). At the master's and doctoral levels, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia accounted for over 70% of all graduates from health education programs in Canada (70% and 75% respectively at these two levels of study). At both the master's and doctoral levels, Alberta accounted for a larger share of Canada's graduates from health programs than did British Columbia (Tables 4.8.2 to 4.8.11 and Chart 4.4).

Chart 4.4
The most populated provinces account for the vast majority of health graduates in Canada, 2005

4.4 University graduation rates and the distribution of university graduates across fields of study

In 2005, the number of graduates at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level represented 34% of youth aged 22 in Canada. Female graduates represented 43% of women in this age group while male graduates represented 26% of men in this reference cohort (Table 4.9.1). This measure is referred to as a graduation rate and is calculated by dividing the number of graduates, regardless of their age, by a reference cohort, in this case, 22 year olds as this is the typical age of graduation at this level of study. The measure gives an indication of the level of involvement in education (see Text box entitled "Graduation rates" for more details).

The graduation rate at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level ranged from less than 30% in Saskatchewan (20%), Alberta (29%) and British Columbia (24%) to over 40% in Nova Scotia (54%) and New Brunswick (41%) (Tables 4.9.2 to 4.9.11). Jurisdictional differences related to average age, institutional transfer arrangements, and types of institutions can have an effect on graduation rates and care should therefore be taken when making comparisons. Graduation rates based on province of study will tend to be higher for provinces with a relatively large number of universities and out-of-province students. Socio-economic circumstances may also affect graduation rates. In a strong economy, such as those in Western Canada at the moment, high school graduates may choose to defer enrolment in a postsecondary institution in order to take advantage of employment opportunities, while young people from out of the jurisdiction may move there for work, raising the size of the population used to calculate the graduation rate.

In 2005, graduates of all ages at the master's level represented 7% of 24-year-olds in Canada, the relevant age cohort for this calculation at this level of study (Table 4.9.1). This figure was less than the Canada average in Newfoundland and Labrador (6%), Prince Edward Island (2%), New Brunswick (5%), Manitoba (4%), Saskatchewan (3%), Alberta (5%), and British Columbia (6%). It was at the Canada average or higher in Nova Scotia (14%), Quebec (9%), and Ontario (7%) (Tables 4.9.2 to 4.9.11).

The graduation rate at the doctoral level was 1% or less in all provinces (Tables 4.9.2 to 4.9.11).

An examination of the distribution of university graduates across fields of study provides an indication of the relative importance of the different fields to today's university-going population. Job opportunities, difference in earnings and work conditions among occupations and sectors, and the capacity and admission policies of universities may affect the fields in which students choose to study. In turn the relative popularity of the different fields of study will affect the future supply of new graduates.

In 2005, graduates from Canadian health education programs at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level accounted for 8% of all graduates at this level. This figure was stable from the year before (7%) (Table 4.10.1). Nursing was the largest health education program at this level: Its graduates represented 4% of all graduates at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level.

In 2005, the percentage of bachelor and other undergraduates degrees awarded in health education programs was slightly below the Canada average in Ontario (6%) and British Columbia (6%). In all other provinces, between 8% (Prince Edward Island and Quebec) and 15% (Saskatchewan) of all graduates were from health education programs (Tables 4.10.2 to 4.10.11).

Health graduates accounted for 7% of all graduates at the master's level, and for 6% of all doctoral graduates (Table 4.10.1). The percentage of master's degrees awarded to graduates from health programs was below the Canada average in Newfoundland and Labrador (3%), New Brunswick (3%), and British Columbia (4%) (Prince Edward Island did not have graduates from health programs in 2005). In the other provinces, this figure ranged from 6% (Nova Scotia and Quebec) to 11% in Manitoba and 14% in Alberta (Tables 4.10.2 to 4.10.11).

The proportion of doctoral graduates who came from health programs was highest in Newfoundland and Labrador (25%), Manitoba (12%), and Alberta (12%) (Tables 4.10.2 to 4.10.11).

In Canada, health programs appeared to be a more popular choice of study for female graduates than for male graduates at all levels of study. While 8% of all graduates at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level received their degrees in health, 11% of female graduates at this level did so compared to 4% of male graduates. Both the percentage of female and male graduates who obtained their bachelor and other undergraduate degrees from health programs was stable compared to 2004 (Table 4.10.1).

While 7% of all master's graduates had studied in health programs, 11% of all female graduates at this level graduated from health programs compared to 3% of male graduates. At the doctoral level, 8% of all female graduates received their degrees in health programs compared to 4% of their male counterparts (Table 4.10.1).

As was observed at the national level, women accounted for a large majority of the graduates from health programs in all provinces across the levels of study (Tables 4.10.2 to 4.10.11).

4.5 Characteristics of graduates from health education programs

The following section presents demographic information from PSIS for students who graduated from university health programs in 2004 and 2005 in terms of gender, age, international student status, and citizenship. PSIS indicates that the demographic characteristics of graduates in 2004 and 2005 were similar to those for students enrolled in health programs in 2004/2005 and 2005/2006 academic years.

Women generally account for the large majority of graduates from health programs

The greater popularity of health programs among female graduates is also reflected in the portrait of the graduating class from health programs. Similar to the situation observed for students enrolled in health programs, women accounted for a large majority of the graduates from health programs at all levels of study. Furthermore, women constituted a larger share of all graduates in health programs than in all programs. This was generally true across all provinces (Tables 4.11.2 to 4.11.11). This suggests that the generally female makeup of the health professions will endure for some time yet.

In 2005 at the national level, women accounted for four out of every five graduates from health programs at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees and master's levels and for more than half (58%) of graduates at the doctoral level. In comparison, 61% of all graduates from bachelor and other undergraduate degrees programs were female as were 52% of master's graduates, while only 44% of doctorate graduates were female (Table 4.11.1).

Graduates from health programs tend to be older than average at the bachelor and doctoral levels

It is common for health students to have previous education and work experience. This may be one of the reasons that help to explain why graduates from health programs are older than their counterparts from other fields of study.

In Canada at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, there was no difference in the average age of health graduates compared to that of all graduates (23 years of age). However, a larger percentage of all health graduates, 57%, were 25 year of age or older than were bachelor graduates in general (38%) (Table 4.12.1 and Chart 4.5). The older age profile of health graduates is likely related to the fact that many professional programs in health require the completion of a bachelor degree or the completion of some years of study at the bachelor level as a prerequisite for entry. Nursing also has posted a substantial number of graduates, 57%, over the age of 24. This may be related to the fact that nursing offers both entry-to-practice programs (programs enabling successful graduates to apply for initial licensure) and post-registered nursing programs (programs for registered nurses already in the labour force who want to obtain their degree). Among the provinces, the percentage of health graduates at the bachelor level who were older than 25 ranged from 33% in Prince Edward Island to 91% in Saskatchewan. Bachelor health graduates were older than graduates in general in all provinces in Canada except in Quebec, where a similar proportion of all graduates and health graduates, 46% and 48%, were 25 years of age and older (Tables 4.12.2 to 4.12.11 and Chart 4.5).

Chart 4.5
Health graduates were generally older than the average, with some variation in their age structure across the provinces, 2005

At the master's level, the age of the average health graduate was 32 years. In general, graduates from health programs were slightly younger than their counterparts from other fields of study: 56% of health graduates at this level were under the age of 30 compared to 49% of all master's graduates. Fewer health graduates were in their 30s (26%) compared to all graduates (33%). Similar proportions of health and all graduates were 40 or older (about 19%) (Table 4.13.1 and Chart 4.5). Some programs, such as communication disorders sciences and services (86%), pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences and administration (80%), and rehabilitation and therapeutic professions (78%) stand out for having a substantial percentage of graduates who are less than 30 years of age. Across the provinces, the age profile of graduates from health programs at the master's level was older than in other provinces in Newfoundland and Labrador, where the vast majority of health graduates were over the age of 40 (average age was 43 compared to 33 at the national level), New Brunswick, where all graduates were over the age of 30 (average age of 42), and Saskatchewan, where all graduates were over the age of 40 (average age of 43) (Tables 4.13.2 to 4.13.11 and Chart 4.5).

At the doctoral level, 20% of health graduates were under 30, 51% were in their thirties, and 30% were 40 or older. Health graduates were more likely than their counterparts to be in their forties or older, but less likely to be in their thirties. Across the provinces, the age profile of doctoral students was similar in most provinces, except in Newfoundland and Labrador and Manitoba, where the age structure was somewhat younger (Tables 4.13.2 to 4.13.11 and Chart 4.5).

Reflecting enrolment patterns, international students account for only a small proportion of health graduates at all levels of study

Similar to what was observed for students enrolled in health programs, international students accounted for only a small proportion of health graduates at all levels of study. Furthermore, at each level of study, the proportion of international students among health graduates is lower than the proportion of international students among all graduates. In 2005, about 140 international students graduated from Canadian universities in health programs at the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, representing 1% of the graduating class. At the master's and doctoral levels, international students accounted for 5% (the equivalent of about 120 graduates) and 7% (the equivalent of about 160 graduates) of all graduates, respectively (Table 4.14.1).

Across the provinces, the proportion of international students among health graduates did not vary much in 2005 at the bachelor and master's levels of study. At the doctoral level, Alberta had the highest proportion of international students among its health graduates, 13% (Tables 4.14.2 to 4.14.11).

Non-Canadian citizens are less likely to be among health graduates at all levels of study

At all levels of study, the proportion of Canadian citizens graduating from health programs from Canadian universities is higher than the proportion among all graduates. This indicates that non-Canadian citizens are less likely to be found among health graduates at all levels of university study. At the bachelor and other undergraduate degrees level, 90% of graduates from health education programs from the class of 2005 were Canadian citizens compared to 85% of all graduates. Inversely, this means that 10% of health graduates in 2005 were non-Canadian citizens compared to 16% of all graduates (Table 4.15.1).

At the master's level, 84% of graduates from health programs in 2005 were Canadian citizens, compared to 68% of all master's graduates. Inversely this means that 16% of health graduates were non-Canadian citizens (Table 4.15.1).

At the doctoral level, Canadian citizens accounted for 79% of health graduates, while they accounted for 59% of all graduates at this level. Inversely this means that 22% of health graduates were non-Canadian citizens (Table 4.15.1).

Among the provinces that had non-Canadian citizens among its health graduates, the proportion of non-Canadian citizens graduating from health programs ranged from 4% in New Brunswick to 10% in Ontario at the bachelor level. This proportion ranged from 8% in Saskatchewan and Alberta to 20% in Nova Scotia and British Columbia. At the doctoral level, this proportion ranged from 18% in British Columbia to 29% in Quebec (Tables 4.15.2 to 4.15.11).