Program

The application deadline is August 1 each year.

ProgramExpected LengthProject and/or thesisCourse based
M.C.P.2 years

This innovative two-year program (with part-time options available) specializing in psychiatry is designed for practicing pharmacists and aims to enhance skills in mental health care. The curriculum begins with online courses, including a unique psychopharmacotherapy course, and progresses to hands-on clinical rotations in various psychiatric settings under expert guidance. 

Program Highlights:

  • Specialized Training: Focused training in psychiatric pharmacy, providing specialized knowledge and skills tailored to the care of individuals with mental health conditions.
  • Advanced Clinical Practice Skills: Academic coursework and intensive clinical practicums in challenging environments to develop proficiency in managing complex psychiatric patients.
  • Career Advancement: Preparation for independent clinical practice, leadership roles, teaching, and mentoring positions and increased opportunities for collaboration in mental health care.
  • Research Opportunities: Completion of a research project in psychiatry with opportunities to publish findings and present at conferences.

Tuition and funding

Funding

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

Tuition

Course-based master's or postgraduate diploma program

Students in course-based programs pay tuition for each class they take. Every class is assigned a number of credit units (usually three) which determines their cost. If a student is not enrolled in any classes for a term, they will need to register in a 'Maintenance of Status' class that is assessed tuition equivalent to 3 credit units to stay in their program.

Graduate students in course-based programs registered in any undergraduate classes will be assessed tuition for these classes at the undergraduate rate. International graduate students in these programs registered in undergraduate courses, whether or not the classes are part of their program of study, will also be assessed the undergraduate international differential rate of 4.84.

Canadian students International students
Cost per graduate credit unit $279.10 CAD $627.97 CAD
Maintenance of Status course $837.30 CAD $1,883.92 CAD
Cost per 3 credit unit graduate class $837.30 CAD $1,883.92 CAD

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.

Fall 2024 Winter 2025 Spring 2025 Summer 2025
Student fees $504.45 CAD $666.08 CAD $35.00 CAD $35.00 CAD

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.

Admission requirements

  • 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 4-year bachelor’s degree in pharmacy OR a Doctor of Pharmacy degree, from a recognized college or university
  • an active license to practice pharmacy in Saskatchewan, obtained prior to beginning the application process
  • a hospital residency certification or evidence of an established clinical practice of at least 1-year duration (hospital or community). Applicants must submit either a hospital residency certificate OR a “clinical biosketch” package containing: a) description of your practice site, clinical role, and services provided; b) interdisciplinary collaborations in your daily practice; c) a list of clinical presentations provided over the past two years; d) two patient cases outlining your role and resolution EXCLUDING ALL patient identifiers; e) a list of at least two colleagues who can provide a reference about your clinical practice.

Application process

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 $120 application fee. Your application will not be processed until payment is received.

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, and upload the documents outlined below.

Preliminary Statement of Marks

  • Once you have submitted your application for admission and paid the application fee, you will be required to upload unofficial PDF copies of your academic transcript(s) from each post-secondary institution attended. This requirement will appear as Preliminary Statement of Marks or Additional Prelim. Statement under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.
  • The uploaded transcript can be an unofficial copy of the transcript issued by the university or college, and must include a grading key/legend.
  • All pages of a transcript must be uploaded as a single PDF document.
  • Uploaded transcripts will be considered unofficial or preliminary. Official copies of your transcripts will be required only for applicants offered admission. This requirement will appear as Post-secondary Transcript under admission requirements on your Application Summary when you check your application status.

Uploading documents

Post-secondary Transcripts

If you receive an offer of admission, you will then be required to have your official post-secondary transcripts sent (by mail in a sealed envelope directly from the institution) to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building, 110 Science Place 
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

  • Transcripts usually indicate the institution’s name, grading scheme (typically on back of transcript), your name, course names, numbers, credits, and the grades you have received. Depending on the country or institution, some features may not be available.
  • Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
  • If you are a current University of Saskatchewan student completing your undergraduate program then a letter of completion of degree requirements will be required from your college.

Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.

For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:

  • It is your responsibility to have completed an official and approved test with the appropriate score before the application deadline.
  • Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student's first term of registration in the graduate program.
  • Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of any required language test score. Uploaded test scores will be considered unofficial or preliminary.

Uploading documents

If you receive an Offer of Admission you may be required to have your official language test scores sent to the address below. Please do not send official documents until we request them.

College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
Room 116 Thorvaldson Building - 110 Science Place
Saskatoon, SK CANADA S7N 5C9

In addition to the above official documents, please upload the following documents:

Applicants must submit:
  • an active license to practice pharmacy in Saskatchewan
and either:
  • a hospital residency certificate 
    OR 
  • evidence of an established clinical practice of at least 1-year duration (hospital or community), provided in a “clinical biosketch” package containing:
    • a) description of your practice site, clinical role, and services provided;
    • b) interdisciplinary collaborations in your daily practice;
    • c) a list of clinical presentations provided over the past two years;
    • d) two patient cases outlining your role and resolution EXCLUDING ALL patient identifiers;
    • e) a list of at least two colleagues who can provide a reference about your clinical practice.

Contact

College of Pharmacy & Nutrition
2A20.1 Health Sciences Building, 107 Wiggins Avenue
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5

Associate Professor and M.C.P. Program Director Clinical Pharmacy Specialist (Psychiatry)
Katelyn Halpape
Email: katelyn.halpape@usask.ca
Telephone: 306-966-2814

Professor and Associate Dean, Research and Graduate Affairs
David Blackburn
Email: d.blackburn@usask.ca
Telephone: 306-966-2081