Program Expectations and Requirements

• 2 weeks on site at Western for at least two of the three years in the program
• Participation in online coursework for a minimum of 9 terms and a maximum of 15 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 visit for at least two of the three years in the program, and they are permitted and encouraged to consider other on-site visits during the course of their thesis preparation and/or research project/major essay. This will be based upon the need as perceived by both the student and faculty members. As a predominantly part-time program a minimum of three academic years of three terms each, or nine terms, are required for completion of the program. 

In order to achieve completion of a thesis and/or research project/major essay an additional two to three terms may be required. The program follows the thesis evaluation procedures for graduate studies, namely an oral defense and evaluation by both internal and external examiners. In other words, a student progressing through the program at a reasonable rate might be expected to complete the program in 4 years or 12 terms. The minimum completion rate, with early decisions regarding research project/major essay or thesis evaluation might lead to completion within a minimum of nine terms. A maximum of 15 terms or 5 years might be required in special circumstances depending on the graduate student's regular job demands and the amount of time that they can devote to their graduate studies. 

A record of the student's progress is maintained in the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies office and within our own Department. 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 UWO with the reports provided to the students by regular mail from the School of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies. It is necessary that students maintain an overall "B" 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; 

Optional courses selected from masters programs from around the world and approved by the Program Director, the Faculty of Graduate Studies at UWO and the provider University are eligible to consideration towards the degree. Such courses must not exceed 20% of total course credits. 

The procedure for a thesis is in accordance with that of Master of Clinical Science Degree of the University of Western Ontario. Students are expected to spend about one-third of the time on work for the thesis. When each student has chosen the area of research, a thesis advisory committee is appointed. Defense of the thesis will be before a board of examiners as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies in Appendix 8. B. 

Non-Thesis (595) 

The objective of the project is to conceive, plan, execute, and report a study relevant to Family Medicine. Each student will undertake the project under the direction of an assigned supervisor. A written report of the study will be critically evaluated by the supervisor and two other faculty members of the Department of Family Medicine. Appropriate feedback will be given to the student.

The project will be completed when it is suitable for presentation at a public forum (research meeting or free-standing paper session) or submission to a peer reviewed journal. 

AND 

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 on a topic of relevance to family medicine. Each student will be assigned a faculty supervisor to act as a resource person. The essay must be considered satisfactory by the supervisor and then be evaluated by two other faculty members.