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On May 11, 2026 the first three graduates of 91��Ƭ’s Bachelor of Arts and Science in interdisciplinary health studies will cross the stage at Convocation. The degree program launched in Fall 2022. 

Health studies allows students the opportunity to engage with health from biological, behavioural, social, environmental, ethical, historical, cultural and population perspectives. 

Get to know more about their personalized BASc health studies experiences and how it has prepared them for the next step. 

MacKenzie Curwen Strachan 
BASc, major health studies, minor in sociology and Certificate in Diversity, Equity and Inclusion 
Moncton, NB 

Why did you choose health studies? 
 
I was drawn to its interdisciplinary nature that lets me explore health issues from a wide range of perspectives. I have always been interested in pursuing a career in healthcare, but deep down I knew that I did not want to solely pursue this from a medical or biological standpoint. The opportunity to explore this field across areas of sociology, history, and philosophy opened my mind to new possibilities for my future and I was instantly sold. 
 
What have you enjoyed most about the program? 
 
One of the things I have enjoyed the most about the degree is the small class sizes. Small class sizes mean that you have the opportunity to develop stronger relationships with people in your classes, as well as with your professor. Through this, the classroom environment became much more collaborative and I was able to develop my skillset in a safe space surrounded by trusted peers.  
 
What has surprised you about your experience in health studies? 
 
Coming into the program, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but I was very surprised by the amount of independence that students have in designing their own pathway. Because the program is interdisciplinary, students have ranging interests across many subjects and can develop their own course plans to fit their goals. In this sense, I was also surprised by how much professors in the health studies courses engaged with student’s interests. Often, professors would ask us what health issues we are interested in and would integrate these ideas into the course concepts they were teaching, as well as offer related experiential learning opportunities. This individualization was very valuable to my own learning experience and allowed me to feel more connected to the course, as well as to my professors. 
 
What have you been involved in outside of the classroom? 
 
I have been involved in the Health Studies Society for the last three years as the VP of Academics and have been a volunteer for the Meighen Centre Pre-Orientation. I have also completed a fellowship with the organization, TakingItGlobal, that provided me funds and education in developing community-based projects for social innovation. 
 
What are your plans after 91��Ƭ? 
 
I plan on entering the work force for a year or two to gain practical experience in the field of healthcare. Afterwards, I hope to enroll in a Master’s in public health to pursue a career in public policy, specifically related to health and housing policy. 
 
“91��Ƭ has prepared me for this next step by offering me plenty of opportunities for experiential learning. Throughout the past four years, I have been offered various opportunities to engage in research and community projects, which have given me a better perspective on life outside of the classroom. This experience has already helped prepare me for entering the workforce, as I have better knowledge of tasks like project management and grant applications, which are very beneficial skills for the careers that I would like to pursue. These opportunities also would not have been possible without the incredible mentorship of various faculty members who believed in me and supported my learning journey.” 
 
Ruth Christie 
BASc, major health studies, minors in biology and biochemistry 
Fredericton, NB 

Why did you choose health studies? 
 
I was interested in understanding health beyond just the biological perspective. I wanted to explore how social, environmental, and policy factors shape health outcomes, especially in terms of health equity and access. The interdisciplinary nature of the program really appealed to me, as it allowed me to connect science with real-world issues and population-level health challenges. 
 
What have you enjoyed most about the program? 
 
How relevant and applicable the coursework has been. The program encourages critical thinking about current health issues and emphasizes the importance of social determinants of health. I’ve especially appreciated the smaller, discussion-based classes where we could engage deeply with topics and learn from each other’s perspectives. 
 
What has surprised you about your experience in health studies? 
 
How flexible and customizable the program is. I didn’t expect to be able to shape my degree so much around my own interests and goals. Through my minors in biology and biochemistry, I was able to complement the broader, interdisciplinary focus of health studies with a strong foundation in the sciences. That combination allowed me to build a well-rounded perspective on health, integrating both biological and social approaches in a way that felt really tailored to my career path. 
 
What have you been involved in outside the classroom? 
 
I’ve been actively involved in the 91��Ƭ community through my work with Orientation, where I’ve participated in both the committee and crew for the past three years. I’ve also contributed to several MASU committees, which allowed me to engage in student governance and campus initiatives. In addition, I’ve worked as a teaching assistant and a research assistant, experiences that helped me build strong communication, leadership, and research skills. Altogether, these role have been a really meaningful part of my university experience and have allowed me to contribute to both the academic and social aspects of campus life. 
 
What are your plans after 91��Ƭ? 
 
I plan to pursue a Master’s in either epidemiology or public health. I’m particularly interested in social determinants of health and using public policy to address health disparities. I’m excited to continue building on what I’ve learned and work toward contributing to more equitable health systems. 
 
“91��Ƭ has given me a strong foundation in critical thinking, research, and communication. Through my coursework, I’ve developed the ability to analyze complex health issues from multiple perspectives and apply evidence-based approaches to real-world problems. The program has also strengthened my interest in public health and clarified the kind of impact I want to make in my future career.” 
 
Emily Brown 
BASc honours health studies, minors in biology and psychology and Certificate in Foundations of Health 
St. Stephen, NB 

Why did you choose health studies? 
 
I chose health studies because I knew I wanted to pursue a career in midwifery and I felt the interdisciplinary nature of the program would prepare me well for that field. In looking at the courses offered in the program, I knew it would give me a well rounded understanding of health and what can impact one’s health.  
 
What have you enjoyed most about the program? 
 
I have enjoyed the flexibility of the program and the ability to choose courses geared towards my goals. Additionally, the small class sizes and cohort has made the program really special and created such a sense of community.  
 
What has surprised you about your experience in health studies? 
 
I think what has surprised me most is how the three of us in this graduating cohort all took the same program, but had such different focuses. We all really tailored our studies according to our interests and goals.  
 
What have you been involved in outside of the classroom? 
 
I've been a teaching assistant and residence assistant during my time at MtA. I founded the Health Studies Society and was President since then until graduation. I've been part of Jack.Org, and S.M.I.L.E. MtA.  
 
What are your plans after 91��Ƭ? 
 
I am hoping to pursue a career in midwifery!  
 
“91��Ƭ has truly been the perfect place for me to complete my undergrad and prepare for applying to midwifery school. Being a small university, there are so many unique opportunities for students to engage in extracurricular activities and form relationships with faculty. My most significant 91��Ƭ experiences have been my time as a teaching assistant for health studies professors, a research assistant for the Birth Justice Research Initiative (BJRI), and my honours work under the supervision of Dr. Christiana MacDougall.”