Program
The Educational Foundations Master of Education (M.Ed.) program at the University of Saskatchewan invites students to explore the social, historical, cultural, and philosophical forces that shape education. Designed for those who want to question assumptions and advance equity, the program deepens understanding while strengthening research and leadership skills. Graduates are equipped to influence meaningful change across educational systems.
Why choose USask for Educational Foundations?
- Study in a department grounded in Indigenous, anti‑racist, social justice, and decolonizing approaches to education.
- Learn with scholars engaged in community‑focused, interdisciplinary research across Saskatchewan and beyond.
- Access a program designed to challenge dominant narratives and promote critically informed educational practice.
Quick facts
-
Expected Length Thesis-based Course-based M.Ed. 2-4 years - Degree requirements
- Class delivery hybrid (in-person and online)
- Supervisor approval not required to apply
- Deadlines and admission details below
Leaders in transforming education through critical inquiry
Shape educational futures with grounded perspective, cultural awareness, and the confidence to question systems. This program empowers you to lead change that uplifts communities and advances justice.
Master of Education in Educational Foundations
The Educational Foundations program offered by the Department of Educational Foundations, explores the following research areas:
- The interdisciplinary and international study of Indigenous education
- Anti-racist and anti-oppressive education
- Ecological, environmental, place-based and land-based education
- Teacher education
- Sexual orientation and gender study
- Lives of teachers, children, and parents
- Climate change education
- Critical pedagogy, neoliberalism, and education for democracy
You can complete this degree as a thesis- or course-based program through online classes or face-to-face approaches over two years. There is the opportunity to take courses online and then participate in a Summer Institute. The course-based route may include a capstone component. In consultation with faculty advisors, both thesis and course-based students will design their program around a specific theme.
Interested in a Ph.D.? We also offer a cross-departmental Ph.D. in Education.
The Department of Educational Foundations also provides on‑the‑land learning through the Master of Indigenous Land‑Based Education program, blending online study with land‑based courses delivered in partnership with Indigenous communities.
Research supervisors
It is not necessary to find a potential supervisor before you apply to this program.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Teacher education, Secondary school English language arts, Decolonization, Transformative education, Service learning | |
| Anti-racist/oppressive education, critical race theory, Métis education, critical social/digital media, multi-racial studies | |
| Place-based Pedagogies, Experiential Education, Climate Change and Climate Justice Education, Environmental and Sustainability Education | |
| Mentorship, history of education, history of teacher education | |
| Teacher education, curriculum studies, mathematics education, teacher & children knowledge of school, narrative inquiry, and more | |
| Transitional justice and truth commissions, Teaching about past violence and injustice, Comparative and international education | |
| Narrative inquiry; higher education; curriculum design; Indigenous education; teacher education; interwoven lives of children, families, and teachers; mathematics education; anti-oppressive education; decolonization; nursing education; fiction-based research; identity; classroom complexity; abstract algebra; multilinear algebra | |
| Epistemologies, Cross-culturality, Multi-culturalism, Inuit World views, Gender relations, Resilience and Aboriginal peoples |
Tuition and funding
Funding
Limited scholarships may be available for accepted thesis-based students. Scholarships will be reviewed after March 1st.
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.
Course-based master's, certificate 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.
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Maintenance of Status course | ||
| Cost per graduate credit unit | ||
| Cost per 3 credit unit graduate class |
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 tuition.
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.
Admission requirements
Master of Education (M.Ed.)
- Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.) from a recognized college or university or documented and approved equivalency
- 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 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
Application process and deadlines
Deadlines and important dates
Note that international students may only apply to start in September. Domestic students may choose to start in Spring/Summer or September.
| Start Term | Domestic Deadline | International Deadline |
|
Fall |
March 31, 2026 | January 15, 2026 |
All applications and supporting documents must be received by the deadline. Please note that only complete applications are processed after the deadline has passed.
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.
In addition to the above official documents, please upload the following documents:
1. A curriculum vitae or resume
2. A statement/letter of intent with the following information:
- if you are requesting a thesis or course-based program and the term you wish to start
- a 600-800 word essay outlining how your personal and academic background prepares you for the program of study you wish to undertake. In your essay, we invite you to consider the following questions:
- What are my personal and professional aspirations in taking this program of study?
- How has my academic background, personal life, and work experience prepared me for undertaking this program of study?
- To what questions am I seeking answers?
- What is my experience with writing academic papers?
- How would I describe my writing capacities?
- What other ways do I engage and share knowledge?
Contact
College of Education
28 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X1
Graduate Chair
Lynn Lemisko
Email: efdt.gradchair@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Charmaine Spezowka
Email: efdt.gradsecretary@usask.ca
- Educational Foundations
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements