Program
The Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education has three program streams related to our Master of Education degree:
- Special Education (course-based and thesis-based routes)
- Measurement and Evaluation (course-based and thesis-based routes)
- School and Counselling Psychology (thesis-based route only).
Applications
The deadline for the Special Education and Measurement and Evaluation program streams is Feb. 1, 2025 for a September 2025 start date.
The deadline for the School and Counselling Psychology program stream is Nov. 1, 2024 for a September 2025 start date. *Please note, we are only accepting domestic applications at this time.
All applications and supporting documents must be received prior to the deadline. Late applications will not be accepted.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. | 2-4 years |
The MEd School and Counselling stream is available only as a thesis-based program. The MEd Special Education or Measurement and Evaluation streams are available as either a thesis- or a course-based program.
If you are a prospective international student and are interested in:
- One of our department's course-based Master of Education program routes (i.e., the Special Education course-based route or the course-based Measurement & Evaluation route), please note the required coursework in these programs is 100% online;
or - One of our department's thesis-based Master of Education programs (i.e., Special Education thesis-based route or the thesis-based Measurement & Evaluation route), please note both of these routes are hybrid programs (both in-person and online coursework is required).
To confirm whether you are eligible to apply for a study permit to engage in our Masters' programs, please connect with the University of Saskatchewan's International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC). They have the latest information on study permits, post-graduate work permits (PGWP), and other student immigration inquiries.
Special Education
This research-intensive program is designed to prepare practitioners and researchers with specialization in either Special Education. Students can enroll in the thesis route or course-based route. The majority of the courses in this program are offered as online courses. Program graduates in the special education stream are prepared to assume leadership or consultative positions in schools/school divisions, government agencies, businesses or post-secondary institutions.
Measurement and Evaluation
This research-intensive program is designed to prepare practitioners and researchers with specialization in Measurement and Evaluation (i.e., psychometrics, research methodology, evaluation, and data science). Students can enroll in the thesis route or course-based route. The majority of the courses in this program are offered as online courses. Program graduates in the Measurement and Evaluation stream may obtain employment as data analysts, research scientists, test developers, research consultants, classroom and large-scale assessment specialists, certification and credentialing professionals, and psychometricians at research and testing organizations. Graduates of the program typically pursue careers as consultants, administrators, program designers/evaluators, or undertake further graduate work.
School and Counselling Psychology
This program integrates research and practice and is unique across Canada in providing training in both school psychology and counselling psychology. Students can only enroll in a thesis-based route. The program prepares future counsellors and psychologists who provide direct (assessment, intervention) and indirect (consultative, collaborative, advocacy) psychological services across the age span (i.e., children, youth, young adults, their families, school personnel, and the community) working as members of interdisciplinary teams in various academic, research, school, mental health, government, community agency, and private practice settings.
Research supervisors
It is not necessary to find a potential supervisor before you apply to this program.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Meeting diverse needs individuals varied language/literacy/learning abilities (professional knowledge/early intervention/safe/enabling environments). | |
| Statistical modelling in Social and Behavioral sciences, Psychometrics, Large scale assessment, Technology and Educational measurement | |
| Substance use, program evaluation, resilient children and youth, child and youth psychopathology, e-learning |
Tuition and funding
Funding
The department has a limited number of scholarships, bursaries and graduate teaching fellowships available to students that are awarded on the basis of academic merit. The Graduate Teaching Fellowships (GTF) qualifies the candidate to instruct undergraduate courses in Educational Psychology and Special Education. Scholarships and GTF carry the expectation that the recipient will provide research assistance or teaching duties in the year that it is awarded.
Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.
Tuition
Master of Education (M.Ed.) – Thesis-based
Graduate students in a thesis program pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program.
Special Education and Measurement and Evaluation Thesis Streams Tuition:
| Term | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| September 1 - December 31, 2024 | ||
| January 1 - April 30, 2025 | ||
| May 1 - August 31, 2025 | ||
| Total per academic year |
School and Counselling Psychology Thesis Stream Tuition:
| Program | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| M.Ed. School and Counseling Psychology (thesis-based) per term |
Master of Education (M.Ed.) – Course-based
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.
Special Education and Measurement and Evaluation Course-based Streams Tuition:
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per graduate credit unit | ||
| Maintenance of Status course | ||
| 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 differential rate of 4.84.
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
Admission requirements as of 2023-2024
- 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)
- A four-year degree in Psychology or Education or a related field (i.e., Bachelor of Education (B.Ed.), or Bachelor of Arts Honours (B.A. Honours), or Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in an area other than Psychology or Education, etc.)
- A minimum 6 credit units of undergraduate study in Counselling Psychology (e.g., at the UofS EPSE 417 Introduction to Counselling or EPSE 416 Comprehensive Guidance and Counselling. or equivalent courses from another institution); and
- A minimum of 3 credit units of undergraduate study in introductory statistics (e.g., at the UofS EPSE 441, PSY 233, or PSY 234, or an equivalent course from another institution).
- 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)
In addition, you'll need the following depending on which concentration you are applying for:
Special Education
- Four-year degree in Psychology or Education
- Introductory statistics course
- Minimum six credit units of undergraduate study in the area of Special Education
Course-based M.Ed. in Special Education - Advanced Standing Entrance Requirements
- Six credit units of undergraduate study in Special Education
- Post-Degree Certificate in Education: Special Education
- Four-year degree in Education
- Introductory statistics course
Measurement and Evaluation
- Four-year degree in Psychology or Education
- Intermediate statistics course
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.
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.
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:
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- A statement/letter of Intent: This should be a two-to-three page (maximum) letter that supports your application. The statement should include reference to your academic or professional preparation of the program, indication of your commitment to the program and relevance of the program to your career aspirations.
Finally, applicants to the School and Counselling Psychology program need to provide the following:
- Supplemental application form - download PDF document
- Approved prerequisite equivalent courses - Check the most up-to-date Course Equivalency List. Courses that have been assessed as equivalent (or not) to University of Saskatchewan courses are listed by university. The attached list is current to October 1, 2012. If a course you'd like reviewed for equivalency is not listed, please forward a course equivalency request to the EPSE graduate secretary at epse.gradsec@usask.ca and attach the course syllabus/calendar course description.
- A letter of recommendation from a recent supervisor or employer able to comment on your personal qualities that suggest your suitability for a future career as a helping professional. This is a separate recommendation letter sent to the Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education by the writer and is in addition to the three letters of recommendation supplied through the online application process.
Contact
Department of Educational Psychology and Special Education
28 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X1
Graduate Chair
Dr. Laureen McIntyre
Email: laureen.mcintyre@usask.ca
Graduate Student Support
Charmaine Spezowka
Email: epse.gradsec@usask.ca
- Department of Educational Psychology & Special Education
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements