Health Sciences

Interested in a career in Health Sciences?

There are many options available to you in high school to gain skills, build experience and explore options in health sciences.  

Not sure what courses or programs are right for you? Speak to your guidance counselor. They can help you with course and career planning.

Click on the tabs below to learn more about career opportunities, and high school courses and programs. Or, explore opportunities in other career sectors

Student works on model with medical gloves on
Student gains work experience through co-op at a local hospital

There are many different career opportunities available in health and wellness and sport. Some of these include: 

  • audiologists and speech-language pathologists

  • chiropractors

  • dental hygienists, dental therapists, and dentists

  • dietitians and nutritionists

  • early childhood educators

  • health information management occupations

  • medical laboratory technicians and pathologists' assistants

  • optometrists

  • paramedical occupations

  • pharmacists

  • registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses

  • respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists, and cardiopulmonary technologists 

  • social and community service workers

  • technical sales specialists

There are lots of courses you can take to prepare you for a career in health sciences. Below are some examples.

  • Cooperative Education 

  • Healthy Active Living Education 

  • Introductory Kinesiology

  • Biology

  • Chemistry

  • Nutrition and Health

  • Families in Canada

Learn more about the courses offered at your secondary school. 

Your guidance counselor can help you with course and career planning.

There are a number of programs available in secondary school that let you explore your interests while gaining skills, experience and certifications, including:

  • Cooperative Education

  • Specialist High Skills Major

  • Dual Credits

  • Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program

  • Aquatic Leadership Program

  • High-Performance Athlete Program

  • Summer Learning Programs

Learn more about those programs below. Speak to your guidance counsellor about which program(s) may be right for you. 

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Hear about Quinnton's co-op experience at Markham-Stouffville Hospital
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Students develop creative solutions to increase children and youth health and wellness
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Students explore career and program opportunities with Olympic champion

 

Secondary School Programs

In Co-op, students earn credits while completing a work placement in the community. Students also participate in classroom learning that supports the practical work experience.

Co-op placements are available at a wide variety of organizations. Teachers work with students to find placements that support classroom learning and their goals and interests.

Students gain hands-on experience, while earning high school credits. Co-op is available at all secondary schools. 

Students who wish to participate in the Specialist High Skills Majors and Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program must take Co-op in Grade 11 and/or 12.

The Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) offers career-focused learning in different sectors while working towards your Ontario Secondary School Diploma.

We offer SHSM programs in many sectors, including:

Students in the SHSM program:

  • Build sector-focused knowledge and skills before graduating.

  • Learn more about a wide variety of careers in the sector. 

  • Earn industry-specific certifications.

The program has five components:

  1. Required credits. Students take credits that provide sector-specific knowledge and cooperative education credits. 

  2. Sector-recognized certifications and/or training courses/programs.

  3. Experiential learning and career exploration activities. This could include job shadowing, work or volunteer experience, attendance at a trade show, etc.

  4. Reach ahead experiences that let students explore their chosen pathway. This could include interviewing someone in the profession or visiting a class, for example.

  5. Sector-partnered experiences.

Students in Dual Credits take college or apprenticeship courses that count towards both the Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) and a postsecondary certificate, diploma, or degree, or apprenticeship certification.

The York Region District School Board, in partnership with local colleges, offers many dual credit courses for Grade 11 and 12 students

Students at any YRDSB secondary school can apply to register for a dual credit. Speak with your guidance counsellor for more information.

The Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program (OYAP) is a School to Work program. Students in the program:

  • explore and gain training in apprenticeship occupations starting in Grade 11 or Grade 12 through the Cooperative Education program. 

  • can become registered apprentices and work towards becoming certified in a skilled trade while completing their secondary school diplomas. 

There are over 150+ skilled trades (PDF) to choose from.

Students at any YRDSB secondary school can apply to participate in the Ontario Youth Apprenticeship Program.

Are you a swimmer?

You can earn high school credits and your Swim, Lifeguarding and Instructor Certifications. Students participate in pool instruction, face-to-face instruction and online learning.

Students must:

  • be 15 years of age or older by the certification test dates in June

  • currently attend a Secondary School

  • hold a current Bronze Cross Certification

  • hold up-to-date Standard First Aid Certification

Learn more about the program and how to register

This program is for students who are competing in sport at the provincial, national and/or international level. It is a specialized cooperative education program. Students practice and demonstrate the knowledge and skills acquired in the classroom to their training/competition setting.

Learn more about the High-Performance Athlete Program

There are many opportunities to earn credits, explore pathways and gain experience during the summer months, including secondary summer school,  secondary pathway programs and more.

Learn more about summer learning opportunities.

Where programs are available:

*For 2023-2024 school year

Program

Schools Offering

Co-operative Education All secondary schools in YRDSB. 

SHSM - Health and Wellness

  • Alexander MacKenzie HS

  • Aurora HS

  • Bayview SS

  • Bill Hogarth SS

  • Bur Oak SS

  • Dr G W Williams SS

  • Dr John M Denison SS

  • Emily Carr SS

  • Hodan Nalayeh SS

  • Huron Heights SS

  • King City SS

  • Langstaff SS

  • Maple HS

  • Markham DHS

  • Markville SS

  • Middlefield CI

  • Milliken Mills HS

  • Newmarket HS

  • Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS

  • Richmond Green SS

  • Richmond Hill HS

  • Sir William Mulock SS

  • Stephen Lewis SS

  • Stouffville District SS

  • Sutton DHS

  • Thornhill SS

  • Thornlea SS

  • Tommy Douglas SS

  • Unionville HS

  • Westmount CI

  • Woodbridge College

SHSM - Sport

  • Bill Crothers SS

SHSM - Hospitality and Tourism

  • Huron Heights SS

SHSM - Business

  • Aurora HS

  • Bayview SS

  • Bill Hogarth SS

  • Bur Oak SS

  • Dr G W Williams SS

  • Dr John M Denison SS

  • Emily Carr SS

  • Hodan Nalayeh SS

  • Keswick HS

  • King City SS

  • Langstaff SS

  • Maple HS

  • Markville SS

  • Middlefield CI

  • Milliken Mills HS

  • Newmarket HS

  • Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS

  • Richmond Green SS

  • Richmond Hill HS

  • Sir William Mulock SS

  • Stephen Lewis SS

  • Stouffville District SS

  • Thornhill SS

  • Thornlea SS

  • Tommy Douglas SS

  • Unionville HS

  • Westmount CI

  • Woodbridge College

SHSM - ICT

  • Bill Hogarth SS

  • Langstaff SS

  • Markville SS

  • Middlefield CI

  • Pierre Elliott Trudeau HS

  • Richmond Hill HS

  • Sir William Mulock SS

  • Unionville HS

OYAP

All secondary schools in YRDSB. 

High-Performance Athletes

All secondary schools in YRDSB can offer this program. Speak to your school principal. 

Dual Credits

All secondary schools in YRDSB, in partnership with local colleges.

Aquatics Program

This program is open to all secondary school students in YRDSB, in partnership with the Town of Aurora, and the Cities of Markham and Vaughan. 

 

Other Opportunities and Resources

Students interested in the health sciences may also be interested in the following events. Speak to your teacher to learn more:

  • Professional Engineers of Ontario offers Design Challenges, Mathletes Competitions and a variety of STEM related activities.

  • The mission of HOSA Canada is to enable secondary and postsecondary students to become leaders in the healthcare industry by enabling future health professionals to acquire knowledge, skills training and leadership development through competition.

  • DECA prepares emerging leaders and entrepreneurs for College and Careers.

  • York Region Science & Technology Fair for students in Grades 7-12.

  • Ophea  champions healthy, active living in schools and communities through quality programs and services, partnerships and advocacy.

Explore more opportunities

There are many other sectors to explore. Learn more about courses, programs, opportunities and resources available in secondary school based on your interests.
Explore more sectors