Edwards School of Business does not recommend this Graduate Certificate in Financial Management program to international students due to complications with maintaining registration across terms and course offerings per term that may affect full-time student status.
Program
International Students - Review International study permit policies, effective Jan 22, 2025
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| G.Cert. | 1 year |
The Graduate Certificate in Financial Management (GCFM) is a three-course program designed to equip you with essential financial skills, such as interpreting financial statements, developing performance measurement systems, and making informed fiscal decisions.
Ideal for current or aspiring managers, faculty members new to research grants, and those in new administrative roles, the program offers high-quality education in a diverse classroom environment. Classes are scheduled in the late afternoon and one full Saturday per course.
Beyond earning a credential, you will gain increased financial awareness and knowledge to make strategic fiscal decisions and create effective fiscal strategies.
Students who complete the Graduate Certificate in Financial Management will be prepared to:
- Master financial statement analysis to evaluate organizational performance.
- Apply various financial valuation techniques, including discounted cash flow analysis, to assess
investments. - Utilize management accounting calculations for cost analysis, break-even points, and
profitability. - Develop performance measurement systems like the balanced scorecard.
- Create budgets, understand the process, and implement business process improvement
projects. - Craft value propositions and recommend management control systems for strategic execution.
- Utilize accounting knowledge to make informed decisions, measure cash flows, assess financial
health, and manage operational assets.
Tuition and funding
Funding
Certificate programs are not eligible for scholarship; however, industry professionals may have access to professional development funds through their employers.
Tuition
This certificate is 9 credit units.
| Program | Canadian | International |
|---|---|---|
| Graduate Certificate in Financial Management per credit unit |
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
Graduate Certificate (G.Cert.)
- 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% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
- a four-year degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university
- Applicants with three-year degrees and strong demonstrable potential for success in the program may be considered for admission. All applicants will be considered using a holistic admissions approach.
- Statement of Intent: Applicants must provide a written Statement of Intent (1000-word maximum) describing why they want to undertake the program and how their expertise, work and/or volunteer experience make them an ideal candidate for the program and their chosen field of study. This statement is a key component in adjudicating each applicant’s suitability to the program. An interview may also be required to assess communication skills.
- Current resume detailing positions held and a description of responsibilities
- Two confidential letters of recommendation (minimum one academic)
- Completion of the following two GMAC Business Fundamentals* courses and their scores submitted to the school before starting the GCFM:
- GMAC Business Fundamentals: Finance
- GMAC Business Fundamentals: Accounting
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- An applicant has successfully completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Edwards School of Business within the last 10 years and achieved an average of 75% in their last two years of full-time study (60 credit units).
- An applicant has successfully completed the Edwards School of Business Master of Professional Accounting program.
- An applicant holds a PMI issued PMP, or a recognized Canadian professional designation, namely, CPA, CFA, CPHR and PEng.
- An applicant is currently enrolled in the University of Saskatchewan’s Doctor of Veterinary Medicine program or Doctor of Pharmacy program.
- An applicant has achieved the minimum required score on the LSAT, MCAT, or DAT, and have been admitted to the respective University of Saskatchewan colleges
- An applicant holds one of the following degrees from a Canadian university:
- Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM)
- Medical Doctor (MD)
- Juris Doctor (JD)
- Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
- Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD)
- Earned Doctoral Degree
- An applicant has successfully completed an undergraduate business degree from an accredited Canadian business school (i.e. AACSB) and has a converted entrance average of a minimum of 80% in the last two years of full-time study (60 credit units) of their respective business program.
Applicants are assessed on a holistic basis for admission purposes. We look at a variety of factors when making admission decisions including undergraduate degree, grade point average, work experience, and reference letters. Applicants whose qualifications do not meet the minimum requirements are encouraged to contact the Edwards graduate programs office to discuss potential opportunities for admission.
Applicants whose qualifications do not meet the minimum requirements or whose academic qualifications are difficult to assess may be admitted on a probationary status to a program. Applicants in this category will be required to participate in an interview with the Edwards MBA Admissions Committee and may be required to take certain preparatory courses to improve their qualifications. In this case they will be required to pay additional fees. The student's status will be reviewed after a specified amount of academic work is completed. If progress is satisfactory, the Edwards MBA Admissions Committee may recommend to the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies (CGPS) that the student be considered fully qualified. Students who do not achieve the probationary conditions may withdraw voluntarily or, failing this, will be required to discontinue. In certain exceptional situations, the academic unit may extend the probationary period with a new set of conditions, agreed to by the student and by CGPS.
Application process and deadlines
Application deadlines
Applications open: January 20 for the September program start.
Domestic applicant deadline: May 31 for the September program.
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
- Statement of Intent: Applicants must provide a written Statement of Intent (1000-word maximum) describing why they want to undertake the program and how their expertise, work and/or volunteer experience make them an ideal candidate for the program and their chosen field of study. This statement is a key component in adjudicating each applicant's suitability to the program.
- Current resume detailing positions held and a description of responsibilities
- Three confidential letters of recommendation (minimum one academic)
- The following two GMAC Business Fundamentals Courses:
- GMAC Business Fundamentals: Finance
- GMAC Business Fundamentals: Accounting
Contact
Edwards Graduate Programs
Room 185 Edwards School of Business
25 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A7
Admissions Officer
Email: gcfm@edwards.usask.ca
- Edwards School of Business
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program
The Graduate Certificate in Financial Management will be published in the 2025-26 University Catalogue