Program
The Master of Arts in Economics at the University of Saskatchewan is a rigorous, research‑focused program designed for students who want to develop a deep understanding of how economic theory, data, and policy interact in real‑world contexts. Built around a thesis or major research project and typically completed in one to two years, the program provides advanced training in analytical, quantitative, and critical‑thinking skills that are in high demand across public, private, and not‑for‑profit sectors. Students benefit from a supportive research environment, close mentorship from faculty, and opportunities to apply economic concepts to pressing policy, business, and societal challenges in Canada and beyond.
What you’ll gain in this program:
- Research‑intensive, thesis‑ or project‑based M.A. program
- Strong foundations in economic theory, econometrics, and applied analysis
- Broad faculty expertise across theoretical, applied, and policy‑focused fields
- Career pathways in government, industry, international organizations, or doctoral study
- Optional paid co‑op placements that connect academic training with real‑world experience
Quick facts
-
Expected length Thesis-based Project-based Course-based M.A. 1–2 years - Degree requirements
- Class delivery in-person
- Supervisor approval is not required to apply
- Deadlines and admission details below
Innovators shaping economic impact.
Economics master’s research areas
Faculty members in the Department of Economics supervise Master’s research in a broad range of theoretical and applied fields. Students develop strong analytical, quantitative, and policy‑relevant skills while pursuing research aligned with faculty expertise and real‑world economic issues.
Research areas include:
- Microeconomic and macroeconomic theory
- Econometrics
- Natural resource and environmental economics
- Financial economics
- Health economics
- Labour economics
- Industrial organization
- Game theory
- International economics
- Development economics
- Regional and urban economics
Research supervisors
It is not necessary to find a potential supervisor before you apply to this program.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Applied Microeconomics; Environmental Economics; Insurance Economics; Urban Economics | |
| International trade; environment; pollution; resource; water | |
| Commodity prices; econometrics; exchange rates; international finance | |
| Applied econometrics; Earnings inequality; Economics of Education; Labour Economics; Socioeconomic status and education | |
| Aboriginal; Arctic; Indigenous; Saskatchewan; forecasting; indigenous; microeconomics | |
| 19th Century; 20th Century; Institutional and social economics; economics of development; economics of transition; history of economic thought | |
| Applied Economics; Economic Development; Economic Growth; Energy Economics; Technological Changes | |
| Employment insurance; growth; macroeconomics; quantitative methods; unemployement | |
| Anti-smoking policies; cost benefit analysis; cost effectiveness; econometrics; economic evaluation; health; health economics; quality of healthcare; quantitative methods; sports & exercise | |
| Macroeconomics; Monetary Economics | |
| China; games; microeconomic; organization; taxes |
Tuition and funding
Funding
Financial supports in the form of scholarships, graduate teaching fellowships, and teaching and research assistantships are provided to a limited number of fully qualified graduate students on a competitive basis.
Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.
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.
| Term | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2025 | ||
| January 1 - April 30, 2026 | ||
| May 1 - August 31, 2026 | ||
| Total per academic year |
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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 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.
Co-operative option in Economics
Graduate students on a co-op placement pay additional tuition each term.
| Program | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Arts in Economics Co-op per term This per term tuition fee for the M.A. in Economics Co-op is assessed in addition to the standard M.A. per term tuition rate. |
||
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 2025 | Winter 2026 | Spring 2026 | Summer 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Student fees | $578.45 CAD | $804.73 CAD | $36.75 CAD | $36.75 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.
View 2026-2027 tuition and fees rates through the financial planning estimator tool. By June, tuition information on this website will be updated with 2026-2027 tuition and fee information.
Admission requirements
Master of Arts (M.A.)
Please note, the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) requirement is currently paused. Applicants to the 2026 and 2027 admission cycles are not required to provide the GRE.
- Graduate Record Examination (GRE): Submission of the GRE is recommended for all applicants. Applicants who have not earned a degree from Canada or the USA are required to submit a GRE.
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
- A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
- A minimum 70% average (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g. 60 credit units) including courses in Advanced Micro and Macro Economic Theory, Econometrics, and Mathematical Economics
Application process and deadlines
Deadlines and important dates
| Start Term | Application Deadline |
|
September |
February 1 |
Submit an online application
International students - Master's and doctoral students applying for a study permit do not need a Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL). Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma students, as well as Visiting Research students studying over six months, still need a PAL. Review federal international study permit policies before you apply.
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.
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.
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.
- Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.
For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:
- Completing a relevant test with the appropriate score is required 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.
- Your curriculum vitae or resume should be a one or two page concise summary of your skills, experience and education.
- A curriculum vitae or resume is essentially your full academic and professional profile. It should include a summary of your educational and academic backgrounds as well as teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honours, affiliations and other details.
- Applicants will be required to upload a PDF copy of their curriculum vitae or resume.
Contact
Department of Economics
9 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5
Graduate Admissions Inquiries
Economics Graduate Programs
Email: grad.economics@usask.ca
Graduate Chair
Andreas Pollak
Email: a.pollak@usask.ca
- Department of Economics
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements