Program

Established in 2008 through a collaboration between the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina, the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) is one of Canada’s leading policy schools, educating graduate students and public servants committed to advancing public value.

At JSGS, you’ll benefit from:

  • Focused research areas in  innovation, health, inequality, and governance
  • Faculty who actively involve students in research projects, grant applications, seminar series, and knowledge sharing opportunities
  • Preparation in research and analytical skills for impactful roles in civil service, academia, research organizations and industry
  • Global opportunities across public, private, and non-profit sectors

Quick facts

  • Expected Length Thesis-based Course-based
    M.P.P. 2 years
    Ph.D. 4 years
  • Degree requirements
  • Class delivery: In-person
  • Supervisor approval not required to apply
  • Deadlines and admission details below

Leaders in policy innovation

Governments and organizations around the world face urgent challenges, from healthcare and poverty to climate change and economic resilience. They need innovative thinkers and collaborative leaders. At JSGS, you’ll gain the policy expertise and strategic insight needed to drive meaningful change.

Master of Public Policy

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) program offers the opportunity to conduct in-depth academic research alongside internationally recognized faculty. You'll enhance your research skills and focus on specialized areas of public policy that contribute to societal well-being.

Accredited by the Canadian Association of Programs in Public Administration (CAPPA), the MPP program provides a strong foundation in classical and contemporary public policy theory, policy analysis frameworks, decision-making models, and research methods for both quantitative and qualitative data. You will also conduct original research that addresses real-world policy challenges. Upon entry into the program, you'll be assigned a research advisor and an advisory committee.

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy

The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (PhD) offers you the opportunity to engage in advanced learning and research, helping to move the study of public policy forward. As a graduate of this program, you’ll be prepared to train the next generation of public service professionals and conduct public policy and management research for government, business, think tanks, and other research organizations.

The PhD program is designed so that you can complete it in as little as three years of full-time study. If you’re enrolled full-time, you can expect to receive financial support. Upon entry into the program, you’ll be assigned a research advisor and an advisory committee.

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.

The school's scholarly work includes: public process intelligence, budgets and public finance, multi-level governance, agenda setting, good governance, decision making and ethical leadership, all within the context of the faculty’s substantive research areas (social policy, health policy, innovation policy, public-sector management, resource and environmental policy, and trade and immigration policy).

This potential supervisor is currently not accepting supervision requests.

Name Research areas
Science/expertise and public policy, Canadian public administration, public consultation, regulation, natural language processing
Métis/Indigenous governance, policy, and politics
Leadership and leadership policy, educational finance, financial accountability in higher education, public sector leadership, education policy
Disability policy or policy co-design
Childcare-related public policy
Study of co-operatives, behavioural economics/psychology, income distribution, money and banking, and fiscal and monetary policy
Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management & Innovation
Food policy, experimental economics, consumer behaviour, farmer decision-making, and science communication

For a full list of Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy faculty members, including those at the University of Regina campus, visit our school's faculty directory.

Tuition and funding

Funding

Highly qualified students who are engaged in the program on a full-time basis may receive funding at a competitive rate to support their research. MPP students must commit to completing the program over a maximum of two academic years to be eligible for this funding. PhD students must commit to completing the program over a maximum of four academic years to be eligible for this funding. All complete applications will automatically be considered for funding.

Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.

Tuition and fees

Program Canadian students International students
Master of Public Policy  per term $2,278.00 CAD $4,350.00 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 2025 Winter 2026 Spring 2026 Summer 2026
Student fees $578.45 CAD $804.73 CAD $36.75 CAD $36.75 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.

Program Canadian students International students
Ph.D. - Public Policy  per term $2,155.00 CAD $2,155.00 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 2025 Winter 2026 Spring 2026 Summer 2026
Student fees $578.45 CAD $804.73 CAD $36.75 CAD $36.75 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 minimum overall TOEFL score of 86 is required with a minimum score of 20 in each area, or a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in each area, or another approved test as outlined in the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies.
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (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

  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English. A minimum overall TOEFL score of 86 is required with a minimum score of 20 in each area, or a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum score of 6.0 in each area, or another approved test as outlined in the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies.
  • Master's degree, or equivalent, from a recognized university in a relevant academic discipline
  • A cumulative weighted average of at least a 75% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. coursework required in master's program)

Application process and deadlines

Deadlines and important dates

  • A complete application must be received by 11:59 p.m. CST on the deadline. Incomplete applications will be considered at the next deadline (if applicable), provided they are complete by then. Applications will not be deferred to future terms.
Program Start Term Application Deadline
M.P.P.  Fall September
(only one intake)
All applicants: March 1
Ph.D. Fall September
(only one intake)
All Applicants: December 1

Submit an online application

International Students - Review federal international study permit policies before you apply. We do not anticipate that the implementation of the PAL process will limit graduate enrollment at USask.

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 application fee: $125 for domestic students and $145 for international students. 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.

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.
  • Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified translation.

For students who are required to provide proof of English proficiency:

  • Completing a relevant test with the appropriate score is required 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.

All applicants

A curriculum vitae or resume that includes background and relevant employment history.

M.P.P. applicants

MPP Statement/Letter of Intent

The MPP is a research degree. Your letter of intent offers you the opportunity to describe to the admissions committee your interests and fit with the MPP program. It also provides you with the opportunity to clearly detail your background and preparation, the ideas and methods that you bring to public policy and an indication of the particular areas of public policy that interest you. In your letter of intent, ensure that you clearly address each of the following:

  1. Why do you want to pursue a research degree focusing on public policy? What public policy challenge has personally motivated you to pursue a public policy degree?
  2. What is your research background and preparation on policy-related research, including academic credentials and practical experience?
  3. A master’s thesis that examines a public policy problem is a requirement of this program. What research area are you interested in exploring? What types of theories and/or methods would you like to use in your research?
  4. How would a master’s in public policy at JSGS enable you to reach your career aspirations?
  5. Have you approached any of the faculty at the school to be your supervisor? If so, please name them.

You do NOT need to have a well-developed research proposal. However, the committee would like to see that you can clearly articulate your interests and ideas. If you do have a specific project that you are committed to, please include that information in your letter. This letter is an opportunity to show your personality, critical thinking ability, and interest in public policy research. Please say something original and distinctive that sets you apart from other applicants.

Your letter of intent should be a maximum of 700 words.

Ph.D. applicants

PhD Research Statement

The PhD is a research degree and is the highest degree awarded in Public Policy. It denotes an advanced level of competence in scholarly research and communication. Your statement/letter of intent offers you the opportunity to describe to the admissions committee your interests and to clearly detail your background and preparation, the ideas and methods that you bring to public policy, and to indicate the particular areas of public policy that interest you. Please clearly address each of the following:

  1. Why do you want to pursue a PhD focusing on public policy?
  2. Research background and preparation on policy-related research, including scholarly and practical experience.
  3. One or more general areas within public policy in which you would like to do research, and some examples of specific topics you consider interesting and researchable within these areas.
  4. Theories, ideas and methods that you want to use or explore.
  5. An example that demonstrates your ability to define a topic, to apply theoretical concepts to it, to cite existing key literature, and to propose ways to create new scholarly knowledge on that topic. This example might relate to one of the sample topics you identify in (3) above.
  6. How your research interest fits one of our three areas of research priority (Governance, Social Policy and Inequality, and Innovation, Science and Technology).
  7. Have you approached any of the faculty at the school? If so, please name them.

Your statement should be around 1,500 words or five to six pages in total length. You do NOT need to have a well-developed research proposal. However, the committee does like to see that you can clearly articulate your interests and ideas.

This research statement is an opportunity to show your personality, critical thinking ability, and interest in public policy research. Please say something original and distinctive that sets you apart from other applicants.

Most importantly, your letter will help the admissions committee to find a match among the faculty to supervise you in one of your proposed areas of research.

Contact

To contact the JSGS Admissions team, fill out the JSGS Admissions Staff Contact Form.

Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
Diefenbaker Building
101 Diefenbaker Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5B8

Graduate Chair
Michelle Bussière-Prytula