Program
The deadline to apply for September admission is February 1st. Students who apply by December 2nd will have the greatest opportunity for scholarships.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. | 2 years | ||
| M.Sc. | 2 years | ||
| Ph.D. | 4 years |
The department supports graduate studies in both human and physical geography. Graduate training and research in the department focuses on:
- Environmental studies, policy, management, and assessment
- Geographic information science and remote sensing
- Hydrological and ecohydrological processes and modeling
- Landscape analysis and environmental change
- Regional, urban and watershed planning
- Indigenous and health studies
Faculty use a range of research methods including quantitative and modeling techniques as well as qualitative research techniques. Field work spans the country with well instrumented field sites in the Canadian North and the Rockies as well as selected urban and rural places across the country and internationally. The department hosts a Canada Research Chair in Environmental Change and Water Resources, and is equipped with graduate student offices, laboratories, and research space for both the social and natural sciences with recent investments provided by the Canadian Foundation for Innovation, University, and the Province of Saskatchewan. The department also shares the university commitment to develop partnerships between communities and the university and to engage in research projects that improve conditions for people living in the province.
Research supervisors
We recommend that you indicate in your application the faculty that are doing research in an area that interests you.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Quaternary geology; environmental history; marine biology; northern studies | |
| GIS; geography; health; navigation; spatial cognition | |
| Cumulative Effects Assessment; Energy affected landscapes; Environmental Impact Assessment; Indigenous approaches to cumulative effects assessment; Mega-project development; Natural resources and environmental management; Strategic Environmental Assessment; food security | |
| Hydrometeorology; Isotope hydrology; Earth surface processes; Pedagogy | |
| Hydrological modelling; hydrometeorology; streamflow forecasting; climate impact assessments | |
| Big data; Bus; Cycling; Data analytics; GIS; Operations; Planning; Rail; Streetcar; Transit; Transportation; Travel behaviour; Walking | |
| Grassland; remote sensing | |
| 20th Century; Indigenous; aboriginal; community; culture; disease; health | |
| Northern and Indigenous communities; cumulative effects assessment; energy policy; energy resources; environmental impact assessment; environmental planning and manaegment; environmental policy; renewable energy; strategic environmental assessment; sustainable mining | |
| Watershed Planning; aboriginal; indigenous; land use; urban; water | |
| Climate; hydrology; snow; water security | |
| Social dimensions of environment and sustainability; Gender, diversity and inclusion in environmental sectors; Forestry and Biosphere Reserves | |
| Climate change; Coupled systems approaches; Rural, remote, marginalised communities; Water-health | |
| Indigenous urbanism; age-friendly communities; city planning; downtown; public space; urban design; urban geography | |
| Ecohydrology; Rocky Mountains; beaver; peatlands; water storage; wetand conservation |
Tuition and funding
Funding
All successful applicants for graduate studies in the department are considered for support or scholarship on the basis of merit. No separate application is required.
Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.
Tuition
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, 2024 | ||
| January 1 - April 30, 2025 | ||
| May 1 - August 31, 2025 | ||
| Total per academic year |
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
- 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% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
- A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
- Academic record which shows promise of the ability to successfully pursue advanced study and research
- 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% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units)
- A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
- Academic record which shows promise of the ability to successfully pursue advanced study and research
- 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 a relevant academic discipline
- A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e.e coursework required in Master's program)
- Adequate preparation to undertake research work
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
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:
- Research statement
Contact
Department of Geography & Planning
Kirk Hall
117 Science Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8
Graduate Chair
Dr. Alec Aitken
Email: alec.aitken@usask.ca
Graduate Administrator
Phyllis Baynes
Email: geography.planning@usask.ca
- Department of Geography & Planning
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements