Program
There are no application deadlines for this program. Students are accepted for the beginning of each academic term.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.Sc. | 2 years | ||
| Ph.D. | 4 years |
Researchers in the Western College of Veterinary Medicine (WCVM)'s Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences are exploring issues in the areas of epidemiology, food safety, animal ethology and welfare, theriogenology (cattle and horses), work in specialized livestock, and various projects in surgery and medicine. Research projects at the University of Saskatchewan (USask) benefit from our diverse range of facilities and programs in support of the health sciences such as:
- Our Animal Care Unit has over 1800 sq. metres of rooms for a range of species, including a level two disease containment area
- The Goodale Research Farm is over 840 hectares of pasture and crop land and supports over 230 head of cattle and livestock
- The Veterinary Medicine Microscopy Unit houses a variety of microscopes to engage in advanced imaging techniques
Research supervisors
We recommend that you contact the faculty that are doing research in an area that interests you before beginning a formal application. Students must have a supervisor before applying to be successful.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Equine gastrointestinal surgery, equine laparoscopy, anastomotic healing | |
| Epidemiology of bovine trichomoniasis, vitamin E and selenium status of cow-calf herds, factors affecting culling of breeding bulls | |
| Computer-assisted ultrasound image analysis, low dose insemination, semen cryopreservation, fertility of frozen semen, breeding-induced inflammation | |
| Equine pituitary pars intermedia dysfunction, equine dentistry | |
| Cattle lameness, bovine infectious disease, clinical pharmacology | |
| Food animal reproduction: uterine immunity and fertility, novel immuno-modulation therapies, estrus synchronization, oocyte maturation, ... | |
| Swine health | |
| Zoonotic diseases, public health, epidemiology | |
| Beef cattle production health | |
| Swine health, porcine circovirus type 2 (PCV2), fetal immunology, post-natal health of swine | |
| Mycoplasma bovis, Toe Tip Necrosis Syndrome, feedlot lameness, demographics of the veterinary profession | |
| Bovine mastitis, host-pathogen interations, novel mastitis control measures | |
| Equine acupuncture, advanced reproductive techniques, subfertility/infertility in mares and stallions | |
| Animal behaviour, physiology and metabolism to optimize the balance between animal welfare, health and productivity | |
| Semen collection, breeding soundness evaluation in the bull, postpartum metritis in the cow | |
| Ethology and Welfare (Swine and Equine), Swine Husbandry | |
| Antimicrobial resistance, bovine respiratory disease, production medicine | |
| Equine surgery | |
| Epidemiology, food animal medicine, zoonotic protozoa, livestock management | |
| Infectious disease and environmental epidemiology, antimicrobial resistance, statistical and simulation modelling, Bayesian and spatial analysis |
Tuition and funding
Funding
The USask faculty supervisor must have funding for the student’s proposed project. Either the student or the USask faculty supervisor must have additional funding for the student’s stipend.
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
- D.V.M. or equivalent from a recognized college or university
- Eligibility for restricted, educational SVMA licensure to practice veterinary medicine in Saskatchewan.
- 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)
- Completion of an internship program at an accredited institution or a least one-year equivalent of experience in veterinary practice
- A master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline
- 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. coursework required in master’s program)
- Demonstrated ability for independent thought, advanced study, and research.
Non-veterinary graduates may be accepted into non-clinical Ph.D. programs.
With the recommendation of the unit, direct entry Ph.D. admission is available to exceptionally strong students, who show great promise in terms of academic accomplishments and potential for 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 80% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of undergraduate study (i.e. 60 credit units of course work)
- A four‐year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
Application process
Find a supervisor
Using the faculty 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, email them and describe your research interests and past academic experience. Interested faculty will return the email if there are any openings for new students.
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
Contact
Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
52 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B4
Graduate Chair - Clinical Programs
Yolande Seddon
Email: yolande.seddon@usask.ca
Graduate Chair - Thesis Programs
Colin Palmer
Email: colin.palmer@usask.ca
Graduate Chair - Thesis Programs
Murray Jelinski
Email: murray.jelinski@usask.ca
Graduate Program Coordinator
Jackie Gabriel
Email: jackie.gabriel@usask.ca
- Department of Large Animal Clinical Sciences
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements