• 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)

The application deadline for the MPP program is March 1 for entry in the following academic year. The MPP program welcomes a new class each September.

To meet the deadline, all components of your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. (Central Standard Time - CST) on March 1. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed nor will they be deferred to future terms.

The application deadline for the PhD program is December 1 for entry in the following academic year. The PhD program welcomes a new class each September.

To meet the deadline, all components of your application must be received by 11:59 p.m. (Central Standard Time - CST) on December 1. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed nor will they be deferred to future terms.

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:

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.