Program

Applications for the thesis stream will be accepted until February 1 for a fall term start.

Applications for the course stream will be accepted until April 1 for a fall term start, and until October 1 for a winter term start.

ProgramExpected LengthProject and/or thesisCourse based
M.Mus.2 years
M.Mus.2 years

The Master of Music in Music Education offers two flexible programs (course-based and thesis-based) that reflect on the pedagogy and content knowledge that is specific to music education. As such there are courses pertaining to music curriculum, literature, pedagogy and philosophical/psychological/sociological perspectives of music and music education. The curricular objectives are to encourage you to explore, develop, and refine your knowledge, thinking and skills in the areas of pedagogy, leadership and musicianship.

You will participate in courses that will expand your knowledge, understanding and application of a variety of perspectives as related to music education. These perspectives include philosophical, psychological, historical and sociological courses as they explore critical issues that permeate the discipline of music education as it relates to school and community settings. You will also have the opportunity to participate in research projects investigated by music education faculty to strengthen research skills and apply theoretical principles in practical contexts.

Research supervisors

If you receive and accept an offer of admission, the Music Education faculty will meet with you for an informal information session. You will then be requested to send the name of your preferred supervisor by email to the graduate chair by no later than September 1. If you do not have a preference, a supervisor will be assigned to you by the Music Education faculty.

Your supervisor will guide you in course selection throughout your degree and supervise the EMUS 991.3 Capstone Project. Your supervisor will be in charge of submitting a yearly progress report to the members of the advisory committee and to the graduate chair who will submit it to the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Following the offer and acceptance of admission, the Music Education faculty will meet with you for an informal information session. You will then be requested to send the name of your preferred supervisor by email to the graduate chair by no later than September 1. If you do not have a preference, one will be assigned to you by the Music Education faculty.

As soon as possible following your initial registration in a program, an advisory committee, including research supervisor, should be named. Responsibility for naming the members of your advisory committee lies with the academic unit head, graduate chair or designate, in a formal meeting with the academic unit's Graduate Affairs Committee. Your supervisor will select two additional members to comprise your official graduate committee.

It is the responsibility of your advisory committee to assist you in course selection and definition of research area, to provide support and advice, to evaluate your progress regularly by meeting at least once yearly, to take appropriate and timely action in view of this progress, and to keep records of this evaluation and all actions taken.

Name Research areas
Glen GillisConducting; music; music education; saxophone; wind orchestra
Amanda LalondeMusicology; 18th-20th century art music; ; performance and improvisation; gender; German musical culture; interdisciplinary approaches to music studes; early hip hop
Jennifer LangChoral; Conducting; Music Education; Music Engagement and Agency; Sociology of music education; informal music learning; intergenerational singing
Gregory Marion19th Century; 20th Century; Beethoven; Debussy; Duke Ellington; Schubert; chamber music
Veronique MathieuViolin; Viola; Chamber music; Contemporary music; Strings
Dean McNeillBaroque Trumpet; Brass; Bumper Crop; Classical; Composition; Creativity; Improvisation; SJO; Saskatoon Jazz Orchestra; University of Saskatchewan Jazz Ensemble; brass; classical music; education; jazz; jazz arranging; jazz composition; music; music education; trumpet
Darrin OehlerkingRCMP; conducting; music; music education; trumpet; wind orchestra
Kathleen Solose19th Century; 20th Century; Chamber music; adjudication; music; performance; piano; recitalist
Mark TseProfessional wind bands; wind band history; wind bands

Tuition and funding

Funding

The Department of Music offers substantial funding for graduate and undergraduate students. For full consideration of scholarships, students are encouraged to apply early and have materials submitted by March 1. In addition, students are encouraged to apply for University of Saskatchewan funding opportunities and external grant agencies, including SSHRC.

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

Course-based master's or postgraduate diploma program

Students in course-based programs pay tuition for each class they take. Every class is assigned a number of credit units (usually three) which determines their cost. If a student is not enrolled in any classes for a term, they will need to register in a 'Maintenance of Status' class that is assessed tuition equivalent to 3 credit units to stay in their program.

Graduate students in course-based programs registered in any undergraduate classes will be assessed tuition for these classes at the undergraduate rate. International graduate students in these programs registered in undergraduate courses, whether or not the classes are part of their program of study, will also be assessed the undergraduate international differential rate of 4.2.

Canadian students International students
Cost per graduate credit unit $265.80 CAD $598.05 CAD
Maintenance of Status course $797.40 CAD $1,794.15 CAD
Cost per 3 credit unit graduate class $797.40 CAD $1,794.15 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

Master of Music (M.Mus.) - Music Education

  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
  • A completed online application, the application fee and all supporting application documents
  • 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 Bachelor of Music degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study

Selection criteria will also include:

  1. Two-page (maximum) letter detailing the specific reaons for pursuing graduate study and outlining a music education philosophy.
  2. C.V. Typically, it would be expected that the CV would demonstrate a minimum of two years of successful teaching experience or equivalent professional involvement in music education.
  3. Three letters of reference.

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

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:

  • Two-page (maximum) letter detailing the specific reaons for pursuing graduate study and outlining a music education philosophy.
  • CV Typically, it would be expected that the CV would demonstrate a minimum of two years of successful teaching experience or equivalent professional involvement in music education.

Contact

Department of Music
Room 1045.2, Education Building
28 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X1

Graduate Chair
Jennifer Lang
Email: jennifer.lang@usask.ca

Application Admin Support
Anna McKenzie
Email: asg.gradapplications@usask.ca

Program Admin Support
Nadine Penner
Email: asg.graduateprograms@usask.ca