SHSM Health and Wellness: Courses, Certs, and Careers
The SHSM health and wellness sector is widely considered the most popular Specialist High Skills Major sector in Ontario, and for good reason. The province is facing a projected shortfall of 33,200 nurses and 50,853 personal support workers by 2032 according to Ontario government projections obtained through a freedom-of-information request (CBC, May 2024). For students interested in healthcare careers, this sector is one of the earliest entry points in the talent pipeline.
The SHSM health and wellness program requires students to complete:
- A 9-credit course bundle
- 7 certifications (4 compulsory and 3 elective)
- Cooperative education placements in healthcare settings
- Sector-partnered experiences with industry professionals
This guide covers the sector credit bundle at a discipline level, all required certifications, healthcare career pathways from PSW to physician, SPE placement options, and how coordinators can build strong programming for this sector.
For readers new to the SHSM program, start with our overview of what SHSM is for full context on how the program works across all 19 sectors.
What Is the SHSM Health and Wellness Program?
SHSM Health and Wellness is one of 19 available sectors under Ontario’s Specialist High Skills Major program, administered by the Ministry of Education. Students in this sector focus their Grade 11 and 12 learning on health and wellness career preparation through five required components:
- A credit bundle of sector-specific courses
- Certification and training experiences
- Sector-Partnered Experiences (SPE)
- Reach-ahead activities connecting students with post-secondary programs
- Ontario Skills Passport documentation
The program prepares students for careers ranging from personal support worker to registered nurse to physician. SHSM is available across all 72 publicly funded school boards in Ontario, and health and wellness is among the most widely offered sectors. The Toronto Catholic District School Board runs a multi-sector SHSM program that includes health and wellness at the majority of its secondary schools.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education, “Specialist High Skills Major Policy and Implementation Guide – Health and Wellness” (updated October 2025; ontario.ca/document/specialist-high-skills-major-shsm-policy-and-implementation-guide/health-and-wellness). Toronto Catholic District School Board SHSM program page (tcdsb.org/o/teachingandlearning/page/shsm, verified Spring 2026).
The health and wellness SHSM is offered by virtually every school board in Ontario, reflecting both strong student demand and alignment with the province’s healthcare workforce needs.
For coordinators exploring how this sector fits alongside related programming, the ICT sector and Business SHSM are commonly offered alongside health and wellness in multi-sector schools.
For full SHSM program requirements across all components, see our requirements guide.
What Is in the SHSM Health and Wellness Credit Bundle?
The SHSM health and wellness credit bundle requires 9 credits total. Understanding the structure helps coordinators build course pathways that serve students headed toward different healthcare career streams.
The 9-credit bundle consists of:
- 4 major credits drawn from the Ministry-approved health and wellness course list, chosen at the Grade 11 and 12 level across biology, chemistry, physics, kinesiology, health sciences, human development, psychology / sociology / anthropology, and healthy active living
- 1 English credit (which may include a Contextualized Learning Activity)
- 1 mathematics credit (which may include a CLA)
- 1 credit in science, social sciences and humanities, an additional major, or co-op
- 2 cooperative education credits completed in a health and wellness workplace setting
Up to 3 additional co-op credits in a health and wellness workplace may count as major credits beyond the required 2. The Ministry-approved major list is distributed to board SHSM leads annually and shifts year-to-year by board. Coordinators should confirm their current list with the board SHSM lead rather than relying on any third-party compilation.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education, “Specialist High Skills Major Policy and Implementation Guide – Health and Wellness” (updated October 2025; ontario.ca/document/specialist-high-skills-major-shsm-policy-and-implementation-guide/health-and-wellness).
SHSM Health and Wellness Certifications: Compulsory and Elective Requirements
Health and wellness SHSM students must complete a total of 7 certifications: 4 compulsory and 3 elective. This is higher than most other sectors (which typically require 6 total) because of the additional compulsory Infection Control certification specific to healthcare settings.
The four compulsory certifications for SHSM health and wellness students are:
- CPR Level C (or Healthcare Provider level), both of which include AED training
- Standard First Aid
- Infection Control, a sector-specific compulsory certification not required in all SHSM sectors
- WHMIS (Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System), generic and not site-specific
Beyond these, students choose 3 elective certifications from a Ministry-approved list of over 40 options. The most career-relevant electives for healthcare pathways include:
- Mental Health First Aid
- Medical terminology
- Non-violent crisis intervention
- Specialized care (covering areas like diabetes, dementia, and nutrition)
- Ambulation, lifting and transfers
- Sterile techniques
- Lab practices
- Personal training
A practical advantage often overlooked: CPR at the Healthcare Provider level, Standard First Aid, Infection Control, and WHMIS are required or strongly recommended for entry into most Ontario college health programs. SHSM students arrive at post-secondary education having already completed these prerequisites.
Source: Ontario Ministry of Education, “Specialist High Skills Major Policy and Implementation Guide – Health and Wellness” (updated October 2025; ontario.ca/document/specialist-high-skills-major-shsm-policy-and-implementation-guide/health-and-wellness).
For the complete guide to SHSM certifications across all 19 sectors, including delivery models and provider selection, see our SHSM certifications and ICE training guide.
What boards actually deliver varies by school and available providers:
- Newtonbrook Secondary School (TDSB): CPR, First Aid, Infection Control, WHMIS, and Canfitpro Personal Trainer Education
- Waterloo Catholic board’s highskills.ca platform: Lab Practices, Lifting and Ambulation, Personal Training, Nutrition, and Specialized Care: Dementia
- Mississauga Secondary School (Peel): Ethics, Allyship, Customer Service, and Communication certifications
All Health and Wellness Certification Options
Compulsory (4 required):
| Certification | Notes |
|---|---|
| CPR Level C or Healthcare Provider (with AED) | 16 hours combined with Standard First Aid |
| Standard First Aid | Same course as above |
| Infection Control | Sector-specific compulsory |
| WHMIS | Can be teacher-delivered; 1 to 2 hours |
Elective (choose 3 from Ministry-approved list):
Clinical and Medical:
- Medical terminology
- Sterile techniques
- Lab practices
- Specialized care (diabetes, dementia, nutrition)
- Ambulation, lifting, and transfers
- Advanced training in a technique (feeding, airway management)
- Safe body mechanics
- Dietary considerations
Mental Health and Safety:
- Mental Health First Aid
- Non-violent crisis intervention
- Behaviour management
- Concussion awareness
- Fire safety
- Allergy awareness
- Stress management techniques
Fitness and Wellness:
- Personal training and fitness
- Wrapping and taping for performance and injury
- Babysitting, child safety, and injury prevention
Professional Skills:
- Communication skills
- Customer service
- Leadership skills
- Project management
- Portfolio development
- Public speaking
- Sign language
- Anti-oppression and allyship training
- Ethical considerations
- Equity and inclusion
Sources: Ontario Ministry of Education, “Specialist High Skills Major Policy and Implementation Guide – Health and Wellness” (updated October 2025; ontario.ca/document/specialist-high-skills-major-shsm-policy-and-implementation-guide/health-and-wellness). Newtonbrook Secondary School (TDSB) profile page (tdsb.on.ca/DesktopModules/Tdsb.Webteam.Modules.SPC/schoolprofile.aspx?schno=3442, verified Spring 2026). Waterloo Catholic DSB highskills.ca health and wellness page (highskills.ca/majors/health-wellness/, verified Spring 2026). Mississauga Secondary School (Peel DSB) health and wellness page (mississauga.peelschools.org/health-wellness, verified Spring 2026).
What Career Pathways Does SHSM Health and Wellness Lead To?
The SHSM health and wellness sector connects to one of the broadest career pathway maps of any SHSM sector, spanning four streams defined by the Ministry: apprenticeship, college, university, and direct workplace entry.
SHSM health and wellness prepares students for healthcare careers across four Ministry-defined pathway streams:
- College pathway: practical nursing (RPN), paramedicine, dental hygiene, pharmacy technician, massage therapy, respiratory therapy, and personal support work at institutions like Humber, George Brown, Centennial, Fanshawe, and Mohawk
- University pathway: registered nursing (BScN), physiotherapy, kinesiology, social work, pharmacy, and dentistry at institutions like McMaster, Western, Ottawa, Queen’s, TMU, and the University of Toronto
- Apprenticeship pathway: early childhood educators and educational assistants
- Workplace pathway: nurse aides, recreation leaders, hospital clerks, and certified personal trainers
Ontario’s healthcare workforce projections underscore the urgency: the province faces a projected shortfall of 33,200 nurses and 50,853 PSWs by 2032. The Financial Accountability Office reported a combined shortfall of 33,000 nurses and PSWs projected by 2027-28. No government planning document currently links SHSM to this healthcare workforce pipeline.
Sources: Ontario Ministry of Education, “Specialist High Skills Major Policy and Implementation Guide – Health and Wellness” (updated October 2025; ontario.ca/document/specialist-high-skills-major-shsm-policy-and-implementation-guide/health-and-wellness). Nurses-and-PSW 2032 shortfall projections from CBC News, “Ontario projects shortage of 33,200 nurses, 50,853 PSWs by 2032, FOI shows” (May 2024; cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/nurses-psws-ontario-foi-document-1.7202282). FAO 2027-28 combined shortfall from CBC News, “Ontario faces critical shortage of nurses, PSWs by 2027-28: FAO” (March 2023; cbc.ca/news/canada/toronto/fao-health-care-report-1.6771824).
Healthcare Careers by Pathway Stream
| Career | Education | Typical Ontario Institutions |
|---|---|---|
| Personal Support Worker | College certificate (6 to 8 months) | Virtually all Ontario colleges |
| Practical Nurse (RPN) | College diploma (2 years) | Humber, George Brown, Conestoga, Fanshawe, Mohawk, Centennial |
| Paramedic | College diploma (2 years) | Centennial, Humber, Fanshawe, Algonquin, Georgian |
| Dental Hygienist | College diploma (3 years) | George Brown, Fanshawe, Algonquin, Durham |
| Registered Nurse (BScN) | University degree (4 years) | McMaster, Western, Ottawa, Queen’s, TMU, York, Trent, Ontario Tech |
| Physiotherapist | University + master’s (6 years) | McMaster, Western, Queen’s, Waterloo, Ottawa |
| Social Worker (BSW) | University degree (4 years) | McMaster, Laurier, Windsor, York, TMU |
| Pharmacist (PharmD) | University degree (4 years post-undergrad) | University of Toronto, University of Waterloo |
| Dentist (DDS) | University degree (4 years post-undergrad) | University of Toronto, Western |
For students and parents exploring whether SHSM is worth it, the career pathway breadth of the health and wellness sector is one of the strongest arguments in favour of the program.
SHSM-Specific Scholarships for Health and Wellness Students
Several Ontario universities and colleges offer financial awards specifically for students who complete an SHSM designation. Health and wellness students are explicitly eligible at many institutions.
| Institution | Award Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Trent University | Up to $2,000 | All SHSM sectors |
| University of Guelph-Humber | $1,000 | Health and Wellness explicitly listed |
| Lakehead University | Varies | Health and Wellness explicitly listed |
| Western, Huron | $500 | Health and Wellness explicitly listed |
| Algoma University | $500 | All sectors |
| University of Windsor | $1,000 | Minimum 80% average required |
| University of Waterloo (Science) | $1,000 | Any SHSM for Science programs |
| St. Clair College | $1,000 | Minimum 75% average required |
| Confederation College | Up to $500 | All sectors |
| Loyalist College | $1,000 | 5 available per year |
Source: Ontario Universities’ Info, SHSM scholarship search (ouinfo.ca/search?s=SHSM, verified Spring 2026). Confederation College Specialist High Skills Major award page (confederationcollege.ca/department/financial-aid/specialist-high-skills-major-award, verified Spring 2026).
An important caveat: SHSM recognition at the post-secondary level is primarily financial, not admissions-based. Centennial College explicitly states that special consideration is not granted for SHSM courses in admissions. The University of Waterloo does not recognize SHSM for admissions, though it offers a financial award. SHSM appears on OUAC and OCAS applications as a checkbox, not a weighted admissions factor.
For the full scholarship list across all sectors, see our SHSM scholarships guide. For details on the SHSM red seal designation that appears on the Ontario Student Transcript, see our dedicated guide.
Experiential Learning: SPE Placements and Co-op Opportunities
The SHSM health and wellness program requires at least one Sector-Partnered Experience (SPE) per student, involving approximately six-hour activities delivered with a sector partner and connecting with ICE (Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship), coding, or mathematical literacy. SPEs are distinct from the two required cooperative education credits, which are extended workplace placements in health and wellness settings.
The most common placement types across Ontario boards, ranked by frequency of mention, include:
- Hospitals (the most aspirational but with limited spots)
- Long-term care homes (the most accessible and with the highest demand for workers)
- Physiotherapy and chiropractic clinics
- Dental offices
- Pharmacies
- Childcare centres
- Fitness centres
- Community recreation centres
- Public health units
Several boards have developed particularly strong healthcare placement networks:
- Hamilton-Wentworth DSB partners with Hamilton Health Sciences and St. Joseph’s Healthcare Hamilton
- York Region and York Catholic boards run a joint summer co-op with Mackenzie Health/Cortellucci Hospital and Scarborough Health Network, featuring a blended model of virtual pre-placement classes and in-person hospital placement at approximately 40 hours per week
- Peel DSB has relationships with Sunnybrook Hospital and YMCA Cedar Glen
- Chaminade College School (TCDSB) students have completed physician shadowing at Humber River Hospital
The YCDSB organizes its health and wellness placements into three streams:
- Health Care stream: clinical and non-clinical hospital co-op and physician shadowing
- Social and Community Services stream: CAMH job shadowing and mental health workshops
- Sport, Recreation and Leisure stream: community centres and fitness clubs
For more on how SHSM certifications and ICE training work, including the distinction between SPE activities and certification requirements, see our pillar guide.
Challenges with Healthcare Placements for Minors
Coordinators planning healthcare placements should prepare for significant logistical requirements. Most Ontario hospitals require students to be 16 or older for volunteer and co-op placements. This has been confirmed at Sunnybrook, SickKids, Cambridge Memorial Hospital, Holland Bloorview, and Women’s College Hospital. Hamilton Health Sciences is a notable exception, accepting volunteers from age 14 for specific programs.
Pre-placement requirements represent real barriers:
- Immunization documentation (MMR, Tdap, Varicella)
- A 2-step TB skin test requiring four doctor visits over several weeks
- COVID-19 vaccination (varying by facility)
- Vulnerable Sector Checks for students 18 and older
- Reference letters
- Parental consent
WSIB coverage is required during all placements per PPM 76A.
Access is also competitive. High-profile hospital summer placements such as SickKids receive far more applications than available spots. Trillium Health Partners prefers Grade 12 students for many placements. Planning early and building standing relationships with placement partners gives coordinators the best chance of securing meaningful opportunities for their students.
SHSM students are also automatically eligible for dual credit programs. YCDSB confirms that health and wellness dual credits count as a Grade 12 major credit and a reach-ahead activity, with students earning a free post-secondary credit before graduating. College-board partnerships include:
- TCDSB with Centennial, George Brown, Humber, and Seneca
- HCDSB with Humber, Mohawk, Sheridan, and Conestoga
How LearnIt Supports SHSM Health and Wellness Programs
LearnIt delivers more health and wellness elective certification options than most publicly visible providers, including:
- CPR-C and Standard First Aid (WSIB-approved, delivered by registered nurses at $85 to $120 per student)
- Medical Terminology
- Lab Practices
- Personal Training
- Specialized Care
- Sterile Techniques
- Approaches to Healing
- Behaviour Management
- Non-Violent Crisis Intervention
- Sport Nutrition
- Wrapping and Taping
Beyond certifications, LearnIt has delivered immersive experiences specifically designed for health and wellness SHSM students. In November 2025, 45 students from Christ the King Catholic Secondary School (Halton Catholic DSB) participated in an ICE Challenge at MaRS Discovery District in partnership with the SickKids Foundation. Students explored healthcare innovation through design thinking, working directly with SickKids team members Justin Burns and Shannon Griffin. Students who had never met before built genuine teamwork in just a few hours. They asked questions that showed understanding of the human side of healthcare challenges.
In February 2026, students from St. Joan of Arc Catholic High School (YCDSB) participated in a Futures Thinking Challenge at the Temerty Advanced Surgical Education and Simulation Centre. The central question: “What will the operating theatre look like in 2040?” Students worked through a structured futures thinking process. They scanned signals around AI-assisted diagnostics and robotic surgery, grouped them into trends, imagined scenarios, and designed grounded innovations. Facilitator Rachel Klysen observed that students moved rapidly from “I don’t know where to start” to wrestling with hard questions about human-machine collaboration.
LearnIt’s facilitators are intentionally early-career professionals in their 20s and 30s. They serve as relatable mentors who connect with students through current cultural references and practical wisdom from their own career journeys. LearnIt works with 20+ Ontario school board partners, including TCDSB, TDSB, PDSB, YCDSB, WCDSB, HCDSB, and HWDSB.
In-school certifications are available at $30 to $65 per student. Off-site experiences and SPE activities range from $65 to $120 per student. For a full workshop catalogue, visit learn-it.ca/events.
Conclusion: Making the Most of SHSM Health and Wellness
The SHSM health and wellness sector connects students to Ontario’s most in-demand career field through a structured combination of courses, certifications, and hands-on placements. The 9-credit bundle spans sciences, social sciences, and co-op. The 7 required certifications include practical skills valued by college and university health programs. Career pathways range from 6-month PSW certificates to doctoral-level dentistry and medicine.
SHSM health and wellness placements provide real-world exposure that students consistently describe as transformative. They also require advance planning for age requirements, immunization documentation, and competitive application processes. Several Ontario universities and colleges offer SHSM-specific scholarships, with institutions like Guelph-Humber and Lakehead explicitly listing health and wellness as an eligible sector.
For coordinators building or refining their SHSM health and wellness programming, the most effective approach is student-centered. Start with the career pathways students are interested in. Map backward to the courses and certifications that support those pathways, and build experiential learning opportunities that bring the classroom to life.
For the complete SHSM program overview, see our guide to what SHSM is. For the full certification guide across all 19 sectors, see our SHSM certifications and ICE training guide.
Need help sourcing certifications or planning an immersive experience for your SHSM health and wellness students? Explore LearnIt’s full workshop catalogue at learn-it.ca/events or reach out to discuss your board’s needs.