Secondary School Students

If you’re a high school student who is considering a career in health care, this is one of the most exciting times in your life. All the possibilities for a brilliant future stretch out before you. What will you be? Where will you work? What will you do? Whatever stage you’re at in preparing for the future, we’re here to help you find ways to turn your dreams into reality.

There are several pathways to prepare you for success:

• A certificate or diploma program through college
• A degree program through a university
• Both a degree and a diploma option through a  joint college-university program

To be eligible for admission into these programs, students must have an OSSD (Ontario Secondary School Diploma) and the requirements for admission must be met. Note: Many health sciences programs have specific high school course prerequisites for admission. You will need to speak to your high school academic counsellor and/or refer to college/university program calendars. It is important that you familiarize yourself with the admission requirements and ensure that you are taking the appropriate high school courses to be eligible for admission into the post-secondary health science program of your choice.

Information regarding the secondary school curriculum — by grade and by subject — is available on the Ontario Ministry of Education website. Courses taken for an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) can also lead to college credits.

Additional opportunities for secondary school students to consider careers in health are currently being developed through the Specialist High Skills Major program. A Specialist High Skills Major program in health studies will be available in some 14 of 800 Ontario high schools beginning in Fall 2007.