Program
February 15 is the deadline to apply if you wish to begin the program in September and be considered for funding. No January admission intakes.
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| M.A. | 1 - 2 years |
The Department of Political Studies offers thesis-based and project-based master's degree programs with emphasis in the fields of Canadian government and politics, Northern politics and policy, political thought, public policy, governance of voluntary organizations, international relations or comparative politics, particularly the politics of developing countries. In addition, these programs are designed to allow students to graduate within one academic year.
The thesis program includes a four-course requirement and a 75-page thesis. The project-based program requires six courses and a major research paper.
In comparison to graduate programs at other Canadian universities, this one is relatively small. Only 10-12 new graduate students are admitted each year. As a result, more time and attention is given to student concerns, especially to the planning of each student's course of study. Greater coordination is achieved among faculty in order to provide the desired courses and there is closer contact between students and faculty both in course and thesis work.
If after carefully reviewing these webpages, you still have questions regarding the program and application process, please contact asg.gradapplications@usask.ca
Research supervisors
It is not necessary to find a potential supervisor before you begin an application. The list below though may be helpful to learn about the research interests of our faculty.
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Counterterrorism; critical security studies; critical war studies; development-security nexus; foucault; international political sociology; political violence; racism; surveillance; war | |
| Canadian politics; Election studies; Energy Policy; Federalism; Indigenous; Intergovernmental relations; Internal trade; Political behaviour; Public opinion; Public policy; Regionalism; career skills; western alienation | |
| Latin America; development; foreign policy; human rights; indigenous; mining; nuclear; politics; resource development; women | |
| Africa; International Criminal Court (ICC); child soldiers; global governance; human rights; international criminal law; post conflict social justice; restorative justice; retributive justice; theories of punishment | |
| (Global) Political Economy; Decolonial Ethics; Decolonial Theory; Ethics of Care; Feminist Ethics; Feminist Moral Philosophy; Global Ethics; International Political Theory; Postfoundational Political Thought | |
| Foreign Policy Analysis; Global Governance; International Relations Theory; Middle Power Foreign Policy; Neo-classical Realism; The European Union | |
| Equality; justice; legitimacy; political philosophy | |
| Canadian trade and investment; East Asia; Green growth; Innovation systems; Japan; National innovation; Vietnam; digital; digital content; digital media; environmental policies; environmental sustainability; environmental technologies; governance and resource development; government-business relations; international development; new economy policy; northern economic development; political economy; technological change | |
| Canadian Political Parties; Canadian Politics; Federal NDP; Federalism; Quebec; Saskatchewan Politics; elections; nationalism; poltical theory | |
| Africa; conflict; development; governance and resource development; indigenous; migration; peace; peace building; political violence; politics | |
| Canadian Politics; Charter of Rights; Labour Unions; Law and Politics; Political Economy; Provincial Politics | |
| Indigenous resurgence, Decolonial politics, Treaty relations, Indigenous wholistic and relational governance, Indigenous Ethics, Political narratives | |
| Canadian politics; Canadian parties and elections, Canadian and comparative multiculturalism and immigration policy, far-right parties and populism |
Tuition and funding
Funding
Financial assistance, usually to fund four or five students, is available through the department and is awarded on a competitive basis to students with an average above 80 per cent.
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 |
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
Master of Arts (M.A.)
- 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 (e.g. 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
Application process
Submit an online application
If after carefully reviewing these webpages, you still have questions regarding the program and application process, please contact asg.gradapplications@usask.ca
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:
- A curriculum vitae or resume including a brief written description of previous relevant course work, grades, employment, and relevant training and life experience
- Writing sample: five to ten pages, single-authored only and preferably submitted for a university-level course (please add your name on the document).
- A statement/letter of intent: two-to-three page document stating your research and academic interests, related experience, and particular faculty members as your potential supervisor
Contact
Graduate Admissions
Department of Political Studies
9 Campus Drive - Arts Room 518
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5
Graduate Chair (for program specific inquiries)
Kirsten Fisher
Email: kirsten.fisher@usask.ca
Application Admin Support (for application specific inquiries)
Anna McKenzie
Email: asg.gradapplications@usask.ca
Program Admin Support (for current grad student inquiries)
Nadine Penner
Email: asg.graduateprograms@usask.ca
- Department of Political Studies
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements