Program
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ph.D. | 4 years |
Epidemiology is the quantitative study of the distribution and determinants of disease and injuries in human and animal populations. The epidemiology program is offered at the Ph.D. level only. It is designed to produce highly qualified epidemiologists capable of investigating complex population and public health issues, and independently designing and conducting quantitative research to address the biological and environmental determinants of health. Through classroom instruction, hands-on experience in the research programs of faculty of the School of Public Health, and their own dissertation research, students will develop expertise in one or more of the following areas of specialization:
- Chronic disease epidemiology
- Clinical epidemiology
- Environmental epidemiology
- Epidemiology of zoonotic diseases
- Infectious disease epidemiology
- Nutritional epidemiology
- Occupational epidemiology
Research supervisors
We recommend that you contact the faculty that are doing research in an area that interests you before beginning a formal application.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Epidemiology, neurological disorders, mental health and addiction, chronic conditions, population research, quantitative and qualitative methods | |
| Program evaluation; Gerontology; Community mobility; Driving assessment; Fall prevention; Neurodegenerative/Neurological disorders | |
| AD and dementia, physical activity reducing mental disorders, successful aging, Psychological well-being, depression, psychiatry, health sciences | |
| Zoonotic diseases, public health, epidemiology | |
| Health policy,Health economics, Health care financing in developing countries, Health program evaluation, Macroeconomics and health | |
| Child health, aging in place, rural health, Indigenous health, holistic wellness, physical activity & physical literacy, community-based research | |
| Health care policy and strategy, Medical care organization, Entrepreneurship | |
| Monte Carlo simulations , Computational biomodelling of the structure/function of biopolymers, Statistical methods for the health sciences | |
| Nutritional Epidemiology, Nutrition and chronic diseases |
Tuition and funding
Funding
When speaking to potential supervisors about the research you would like to pursue, ask about funding opportunities.
Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.
Tuition
2025-2026 Tuition and fees rates
Tuition and fees for September 2025 to August 2026 are available in the 2025-2026 Tuition and fees rates sheet and the Financial planning estimator (excluding certificate programs). The tuition and fees on this page will be updated by late May.
2024-2025 Tuition and fees rates
Doctoral program
Doctoral students pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic Ph.D. students pay the same rate.
| Term | |
|---|---|
| January 1 - April 30, 2025 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| May 1 - August 31, 2025 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| September 1 - December 31, 2024 | $1,726.00 CAD |
| Total per academic year | $5,178.00 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
Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.)
- Evidence of previous research experience
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English.
- Master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of full-time study (i.e. coursework required for a master's program)
Application process
Find a supervisor
Using the list above, find a potential supervisor, read about the work they are currently doing and their past publications. If you think you'd like to work with them, contact them and describe your research interests and past academic experience. If they are accepting students, they will instruct you to begin a formal application.
Submit an online application
International Students - Review federal international study permit policies before you apply. We do not anticipate that the implementation of the PAL process will limit graduate enrollment at USask.
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.
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:
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- A research statement (one to three pages in length) that includes:
- Specific areas of interest that could lead to a thesis topic;
- A statement of education and employment history and how it relates proposed study of Epidemiology and Public Health;
- A description of your educational and career goals; and
- An assessment of how the Ph.D. Program in Epidemiology will help achieve these goals.
Contact
PhD Program in Epidemiology
School of Public Health
104 Clinic Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 2Z4
Program Chair
Dr. Khrisha Alphonsus
Email: thesis.admissions@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Darla Mitchell
Email: thesis.admissions@usask.ca
- School of Public Health
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements