Established in 2008 as a joint collaboration between the University of Saskatchewan and the University of Regina, the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy (JSGS) has swiftly become one of Canada’s leading policy schools for educating graduate students and public servants interested in and devoted to advancing public value. Our students can select from a number of course-based and research programs offered on either campus or online. 

Program

ProgramExpected LengthProject and/or thesisCourse based
M.P.P.2 years
Ph.D.4 years

Master of Public Policy

The Master of Public Policy (MPP) provides students with opportunities to conduct research and contribute to the study of public policy and the application of policy expertise in the real world. Students graduating from this program possess the research skills necessary to play integral roles in the civil service, research organizations and industry associations. Top students from this program may go on to doctoral programs in public policy.

The program is designed so that students can finish in as little as 16-24 months of studying full time. Upon entry into the program, each student is assigned a research advisor and an advisory committee.

Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy

The Doctor of Philosophy in Public Policy (PhD) offers learning and research opportunities for highly qualified students to advance knowledge and move the study of public policy forward. Students graduating from this program will be in a position to train the next generation of public service professionals and to conduct public policy and management research for government, business, think tanks and other research organizations.

The PhD program involves a combination of course work (culminating in a comprehensive exam) and proposing, writing and defending a dissertation. It is designed so that students can finish in as little as three years of full-time study. Students who are engaged in the program on a full-time basis can expect to receive financial support. Upon entry into the program, each student is 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).

Name Research areas
Martin BoucherSmall modular reactors, energy transitions, public sector entrepreneurship, energy democracy, post-secondary education policy
Kurtis BoyerMétis/Indigenous governance, policy, and politics
Haizhen MouPublic finance
Marc-Andre PigeonMoney, banking and the financial sector; fiscal and monetary policy,co-operatives
Dionne Pohler
Michelle PrytulaLeadership and leadership policy, educational finance, financial accountability in higher education, public sector leadership, education policy
Yang YangConsumer behaviour, Food economics, Experimental economics, Food policy

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

Program Canadian students International students
Ph.D. - Public Policy  per term $1,993.00 CAD $1,993.00 CAD
Master of Public Policy  per term $2,107.00 CAD $3,286.92 CAD

There are three terms per academic year: September to December, January to April, and May to August. Tuition is assessed each term for as long as the student is enrolled in their program.

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

  • 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 deadlines

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.

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:

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 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. Please clearly address each of the following:

  1. Why do you want to pursue a research degree focusing on public policy?
  2. Research background and preparation on policy-related research, including scholarly and practical experience.
  3. Theories, ideas and methods that you want to use or explore.
  4. Any specific research interests you hope to explore, especially as how your research interest fits one of our three areas of research priority (Governance, Social Policy and Inequality, and Innovation, Science and Technology).
  5. Have you approached any of the faculty at the school? If so, please name them.

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. 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 statement/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

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

Graduate Chair
Michelle Prytula
Email: jsgs@usask.ca

Graduate Administrator
Email: jsgs@usask.ca