Program

The next cohort will begin May 2025, please check back in the fall of 2024 for application deadlines.

ProgramExpected LengthProject and/or thesisCourse based
M.I.L.B.E.2 years 4 months (7 terms full-time)

The Master of Indigenous Land-Based Education (MILBE) is the first degree program of its kind. Through intellectual and experiential learning, you will learn and understanding Indigenous ontologies and epistemologies in relation with the land. You will use and teach critical thinking as you develop land-based pedagogies independently, experientially, and collaboratively.

This full-time 30-credit-unit program is a blended model of on-the-land learning hosted by Indigenous communities combined with online courses and it culminates with a community capstone project. This structure accommodates students who are unable to leave their communities to study during the regular academic school year in-person due to work and/or family commitments. This course-based program is designed to maximize contact hours with faculty, with Indigenous communities and with the land.

Tuition

Program Canadian students International students
Master of Indigenous Land-Based Education  per term $5,250.00 CAD $11,812.50 CAD

There are three terms per academic year: September to December, January to April, and May to August. Students will be assessed a per term rate for a total of seven terms. Any additional terms needed to complete the program beyond the seven required terms will be assessed at the standard M.Ed rate. CGPS must be consulted in these instances.

Native American students: USask honours the Jay Treaty.

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 2023 Winter 2024 Spring 2024 Summer 2024
Student fees $497.88 CAD $659.51 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

Master of Indigenous Land-Based Education (M.I.L.B.E.)

  • 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% (University of Saskatchewan grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e., 60 credit units)

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

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.

Uploading documents

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.

Uploading documents

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:

  • Curriculum vitae or resume
  • A statement/letter of intent that includes 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 a graduate degree in Indigenous land-based education?
  • Students are required to complete a community capstone project. What ideas do you have for a community project related to Indigenous land-based education?
  • What is my experience with writing academic papers?
  • How would I describe my writing capacities?

Contact

College of Education
28 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X1

Graduate Chair
Geraldine Balzer
Email: efdt.gradchair@usask.ca

Graduate Administrator
Charmaine Spezowka
Email: milbe@usask.ca