Program
Graduate Certificate Program: Please contact sotl@usask.ca to determine if you are eligible to start the program January 1.
Application deadline is February 1 to start the certificate and master’s program September 1.
For more information about our graduate programs please view our webinar recordings:
| Program | Expected Length | Project and/or thesis | Course based |
|---|---|---|---|
| MSoTL | 2 years | ||
| Certificate in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning | 1 year |
The Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL) program is an emerging movement of scholarly inquiry that focuses on the reciprocal relationship between teaching and learning, typically at the post-secondary level. The purpose of SoTL research is to improve learning by investigating the many features of discipline specific expertise and best pedagogical practice, and making the results public.
The concept of SoTL will amplify the value of teaching and learning, necessitate deepening of expertise, embrace interdisciplinarity and compel connection and outreach.
SoTL encourages educators in all disciplines to conduct rigorous research into their teaching and learning environments and share what they learn publicly and across disciplines. It is an approach that is grounded in research and discovery, and that encourages the growth of cross-disciplinary communities of practice.
Program options
Master of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
The Master of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (MSoTL) hybrid program will provide you with a level of specialization in conducting SoTL research, while providing opportunities through elective courses to shape the program to your professional goals. If your professional goal is to conduct a particular kind of research, you can take methodology courses to build expertise. If you want to provide leadership and facilitate others' growth, you can take electives that emphasize leadership and change agency.
Research in this master's program will prepare you as a specialist in the scholarship of teaching and learning to:
- Understand the importance of and differences in disciplinary teaching/learning contexts
- Apply research methods appropriate in educational settings, and adapt methods to disciplinary and contextual demands, with a particular focus on the student's context
- Conduct SoTL research and share results through conventional and unconventional academic outlets
- Understand and accommodate differences in disciplinary teaching/learning contexts for conducting research
- Lead and facilitate research into teaching and learning diverse contexts and share the results through conventional and unconventional academic outlets
- Mentor other educators in a variety of settings to inquire into their own teaching and learning and support evidence-based improvement
If you are a prospective international student and are interested in our Master of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning program, please note that this program can be completed as a hybrid program (both in-person and online coursework).
To confirm whether you are eligible to apply for a study permit to engage in our Master's program, please connect with the University of Saskatchewan's International Student and Study Abroad Centre (ISSAC). They have the latest information on study permits, post-graduate work permits (PGWP), and other student immigration inquiries.
Graduate Certificate in the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
In the online certificate program, you will develop professional proficiency in conducting inquiry in the scholarship of teaching and learning, including:
- Understanding the importance of and differences in disciplinary teaching/learning contexts
- Acquiring research methods educators can apply in their own educational settings, and adapting methods to disciplinary and contextual demands, with a particular focus on the student's context
- Conducting SoTL research, scholarly and/or artistic work, and sharing results through conventional and unconventional academic outlets
"The Graduate Certificate in the SoTL has positively transformed my understanding of and approach to higher education, especially in the context of my discipline. The enriching and interactive courses in this student-centered program, which welcomes scholars and practitioners from different fields and at various stages of their careers, have enabled me to reflect critically on my role, experiences, and practices as a learner."
— Marie Rogel
Doctoral student, Environment and Sustainability
Graduate Certificate student, Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Cross Departmental Ph.D. in Education – SoTL Focus
Students have an opportunity to complete a Ph.D. in Education focusing their program on SoTL related topics and research. This dissertation-based program will follow the program requirements of the cross-departmental Ph.D. program in the College of Education. The requirements include three research courses and two electives, as well as the development and defence of a dissertation. This program prepares graduates for academic positions in higher education, as well as positions that support academic success, including educational developers and educational leaders in higher education.
For students interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in Education, conducting research in SoTL, see the Cross-Departmental Ph.D. for application information.
Research supervisors
| Name | Research areas |
|---|---|
| Early Career Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (SoTL), Mid-Career Faculty, SoTL Leadership, SoTL programming, Academic Integrity | |
| Learning theory, technology-enhanced learning, instructional design, mobile learning, and makerspaces | |
| Immersive education, XR technologies, AI education, AI literacy, teacher education, child and youth studies, environmental & sustainability education | |
| Indigenous Education, Leadership and Organizational Development, Network Leadership and Learning Improvement | |
| Pedagogies; early childhood education; teacher professional learning | |
| Ethics and Responsibility, Theory & Practice in Science Education, Intersections of 'place, nature, and education', Pre-service Teacher Education. | |
| Instructional design, distance and e-learning, educational technology, non-formal and informal online learning environments | |
| Post-secondary education, leadership, assessment and evaluation, organizational theory, scholarship of teaching and learning | |
| Technology skill development, media literacy, program evaluation, social agency in teaching /learning, experiential learning, design studio learning | |
| Change in higher education teaching practices, departmental level change, social practice theory, EDI in higher education teaching practices, informal and professional learning |
Tuition and funding
Funding
Through the Office of the Associate Dean (Research, Graduate Support, and International Initiatives), the College of Education provides graduate students scholarship and bursary funding. For more information visit our College of Education graduate scholarship opportunities.
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 |
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 4.84.
| Canadian students | International students | |
|---|---|---|
| Cost per graduate credit unit | ||
| Maintenance of Status course | ||
| Cost per 3 credit unit graduate class |
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
- A four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized college or university
- 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)
- Teaching experience or equivalent experience in a non-formal or training environment
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
- A four-year bachelor's degree or equivalent from a recognized college or university
- 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)
- Teaching experience or equivalent experience in a non-formal or training environment
- Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
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, one of your referees must be an academic contact, and the other two 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:
- Statement of Intent (one or two pages) that includes:
- Why are you interested in pursuing master's-level studies in the School of Teaching and Learning?
- Biography/professional background
- Future career aspirations
- Curriculum vitae or resume
Contact
Department of Education
28 Campus Drive
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 0X1
Director
Dr. Melanie Hamilton
Email: melanie.hamilton@usask.ca
Program Coordinator
Alison Kraft
Email: sotl@usask.ca
- Scholarship of Teaching and Learning
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements