Anthropology program streams

Anthropology examines human culture past and present through a comparative and holistic lens, with a focus on cultural change and adaptation. Our students and faculty conduct fieldwork in Canada and around the world, including Central America, the Caribbean, and Southeast Asia. USask's location and partnerships make us a leader in community‑engaged research with Indigenous peoples, especially in areas such as health, social services, governance, land claims, cultural heritage, and traditional knowledge.

The Master of Arts in Anthropology offers both thesis and project-based options, with the following three program streams:

Medical Anthropology

Thesis-Based

Medical Anthropology is one of the fastest growing subfields of Anthropology in North America. This two‑year thesis‑based program teaches students how culture shapes experiences of health, illness, and healthcare in different communities. The program is known for its strong focus on how culture and lived experiences influence suffering, healing, and resilience, which sets it apart from fields such as medical sociology, health psychology, and community health. It also provides advanced training in the concept of culture and the cross‑cultural methods needed to study health in meaningful and ethical ways.

Environmental Anthropology

Thesis-Based

Environmental Anthropology is a rapidly growing and timely subfield of Anthropology. This two‑year thesis‑based program teaches students how the environment shapes human culture and society, and how people, in turn, shape their environments. Environmental anthropologists work across both past and contemporary contexts, engaging with Indigenous elders, scientists, activists, and industry leaders. The field offers deep insight into the human dimensions of environmental challenges and supports the development of more effective and culturally informed solutions.

Practicing and Applied Anthropology

Project-Based

Practicing and Applied anthropology focuses on training graduate students to directly enter the non-academic workforce where the skills and insights of anthropology are highly valued. This 18-month project-based M.A provides students with the theoretical and methodological knowledge, skills and tools that are adapted to the world outside the academy, the world of social service agencies, non-governmental organizations, consulting firms, industry, and corporate business. The goal of this program is to facilitate the employment of our students as anthropologists in the world beyond the university where they can make a difference while making a livelihood.

Before applying, we recommend contacting a potential supervisor whose research areas align with your interests. Share your academic background and research goals. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.

• Tips for contacting supervisors

Funding

Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.

• Scholarships

Tuition and fees

Thesis or project-based master's program

Graduate students in a thesis or project-based program pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.

Student fees

In addition to tuition above, students also pay fees for programs like health and dental insurance, a bus pass, and other campus services. The amount you need to pay depends on if you are taking classes full time or part time, and if you are on campus or not. The table below assumes you are on campus full-time.

Tuition information is accurate for the current academic year and does not include student fees. For detailed tuition and fees information, visit the official tuition website.

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Master of Arts (M.A.)

• Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
• a cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
• a four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
• Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research

Deadlines and important dates

Submit an online application

Before beginning your online application, be sure that you have carefully reviewed all program information and admission requirements on this page.

During the application, you'll be asked for:

• Personal information such as your name, address, etc.
• Contact information of your three referees
  
  • For your letters of recommendation, two of your referees must be academic contacts, and the third may be academic or professional
• Your complete academic history from all previous post-secondary institutions

The application takes about 30 minutes to complete. You may save your application and return to it later.

At the end of the application, you will need to pay a non-refundable application fee: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.

• Begin an application
• How to apply

Submit required documents

Once you've submitted your online application, you will have access to upload your required documents, and provide the contact information for your references. To do this, go to the "Supplemental Items & Documents" tab in your application.

• After you apply