Program

Applications are accepted up to May 1 to start in September of same year.

Some funding competitions begin in December and early applications will be considered for these opportunities.

ProgramExpected LengthProject and/or thesisCourse based
M.Sc.2 years
Ph.D.4 years

The College of Kinesiology Graduate Program offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in diverse areas including behavioural science, biomechanics, bone research, functional and exercise physiology, motor learning and control, and pedagogy.

Our students have access to office and lab space, work in a collaborative atmosphere, and have opportunities to gain research and teaching experience, participate in community outreach initiatives, volunteer activities and social events. Immersed in a research rich environment, our students are highly successful in terms of Tri-Council awards and publications and present their work regularly at major conferences, often within their first year.

The program offers M.Sc. and Ph.D. degrees in the following areas:

  • Physical activity and musculoskeletal health across the lifespan
  • Social psychological research in physical activity for health promotion and disease prevention
  • Women and girls' physical activity and health
  • Pedagogy

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
Bart ArnoldGrowth & Development
Brenna BathHealth Services Research, Chronic Back Disorders, Integrated Knowledge Translation, Mixed Methods
Adam Baxter-JonesBone Health, Growth and Development, Women's Health, Physical activity and musculoskeletal health across the lifespan
Phil ChilibeckNeuromuscular Adaptations, Bone Health, Metabolic & Endocrinological, Women and Girls' Physical Activity and Health, Sports nutrition
Jon FarthingNeuromuscular Adaptations, Biomechanics & Motor Control, Bone Health, Physical activity and musculoskeletal health across the lifespan
Marta FeltisGrowth and Development, Women and Girls' Physical Activity and Health, Physical activity and musculoskeletal health across the lifespan
Leah FergusonAboriginal Health, Social psychological research in physical activity for health promotion and disease, Women and Girls' Physical Activity and Health
Heather-Jean FouldsAboriginal Health, Cardiovascular Physiology, Cardiovascular Health across the Menopausal Transition, Exercise Physiology
Nancy GyurcsikChronic diseases with emphasis on chronic pain and arthritis, Social psychology, Women's health
Douglas HillisGrowth & Development
Louise HumbertWomen's Health, Pedagogy
Saija KontulainenIdentifing effective fracture prevention strategies for children and older adults; The role of physical activity on bone strength
Kent KowalskiSocial Psychology, Women's Health
Joel LanovazBiomechanics; Musculoskeletal modelling and simulation; Orthopaedics; Motion analysis
Alison OatesBiomechanics & Motor Control, Neuromuscular Adaptations
Sarah OosmanAboriginal health Intervention research, Culture-based research, Health promotion, Population health, Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes, Chronic conditions
Lee Schaefer
Kevin SpinkSocial psychological research in physical activity for health promotion and disease prevention
Corey TomczakCardiac Physiology, Cardiac Remodeling, Cardiac Rehabilitation

Tuition and funding

Funding

Various college and university scholarships are available for new students. All accepted students receiving some level of support. Funding amounts are competitively determined based on academic standing.

The typical three-year funding package for a doctoral student with a Tri-Council Award is up to $126,000. A total three-year funding package for a College of Kinesiology Doctoral Graduate Student Scholarship holder is $60,000. Three times travel assistance for Ph.D. students (up to $500).

Master's students usually receive funding at the following levels:

  • $32,000 over their two year program (College of Kinesiology Graduate Student Scholarship)
  • $20,000 over their two year program (Teaching Assistantship)
  • $34,000 over their two year program (Graduate Teaching Fellowship)
  • $32,000 over their two year program (Graduate Research Fellowship)
  • Two times travel assistance for M.Sc. students (up to $500)

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, 2023 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
January 1 - April 30, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD $3,699.00 CAD
Total per academic year $4,932.00 CAD $11,097.00 CAD

Doctoral program

Doctoral students pay tuition three times a year for as long as they are enrolled in their program. Both international and domestic PhD students pay the same rate.

Term
January 1 - April 30, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD
May 1 - August 31, 2024 $1,644.00 CAD
September 1 - December 31, 2023 $1,644.00 CAD
Total per academic year $4,932.00 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 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

  • 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, or a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree
  • 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. coursework required in master’s program)
  • Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research
  • A four-year honours bachelor’s degree, or equivalent, in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
  • Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and independent research.
  • Evidence of research contributions (e.g. normally as published articles, abstracts, conference proceedings).
  • 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 85% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (at least 60 credit units of course 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.

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:

  • A curriculum vitae or resume
  • A research statement (500-700 words) indicating your research interests and your proposed faculty supervisor

Contact

College of Kinesiology
87 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B2

Graduate Chair
Dr. Saija Kontulainen
Email: kin.grad@usask.ca

Graduate Administrator
Stephanie Wong
Email: kin.grad@usask.ca