Offered in partnership with the Canadian Centre for the Study of Co-operatives, the Graduate ­­­­­Certificate in Social Economy, Co-operatives and Nonprofit Sector (GSECN) will help you improve your understanding of third-sector organizations—co-operatives, credit unions, non-profits, charities, community associations, social enterprises, and more—working to provide goods and services to individuals and communities.

Some of these organizations, such as locally-owned financial services and grocery providers, have operated for decades, while others are relatively new, working in areas ranging from renewable energy to affordable and supported housing, to mental health and addictions, and more. All of these organizations, however, share a commitment to inclusive decision making and concern about larger social-economic problems.

The certificate is designed for mid-career professionals who work in the third sector or work for governments.

What you will learn

Comprised of three graduate-level classes, the certificate covers a range of topics and issues, including:

• Organizational forms in the social economy sector (including co-operatives, nonprofits, social enterprises and more)
• Principles of good governance in the social economy
• Management and leadership excellence
• The interplay between the social economy and public policy
• Emerging forms of sector-led initiatives and inter-organizational governance
• Public and community engagement strategies

All students must complete the following foundational course (three credit units) that provides a solid grounding in issues across all third-sector organizational forms:

• JSGS 849 - Foundations in Social Economy and Public Policy (offered online)

After completing this course, you will have the option to specialize in one of three possible streams:

Course delivery and schedules

This certificate includes a combination of in-person and online courses. Depending on the stream and courses selected, you may have to attend some classes in person. If you live outside Regina or Saskatoon, please contact the Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy to inquire about options that may be available to you.

The JSGS certificate programs at the University of Saskatchewan schedule an academic break during the Summer term, which runs July through August. There are no course offerings available during this time.

If you are offered admission into this program, a non-refundable tuition deposit of $1,000 CAD is required to save your seat. The non-refundable deposit must be paid within 30 days of the offer of admission being made. If you enroll in the program consistent with the terms of the offer, the $1,000 deposit will be applied to your student account. If you do not enroll, the deposit is retained by JSGS.

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.

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.

Graduate Certificate (G.Cert.) - Standard admission

• 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 four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study
• 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)

Graduate Certificate (G.Cert.) - Non-standard admission

Applicants who do not meet the standard admission requirements can apply using the non‐standard application process. In this case, applicants must

• Have completed at least one year (18 credit units) of higher education
• Taken a minimum five-year break from formal higher education
• Possess a minimum of ten years of work experience with at least five years of management experience

Application deadlines

Applications to graduate certificate programs are accepted on an ongoing basis and are reviewed in the order in which they are completed. Therefore, it is to your advantage to submit a completed application as early as possible, as enrollment is limited. The admission process is competitive and late application submissions may be at a disadvantage.

Program entry is possible in any term (September/Fall, January/Winter, and May/Spring).

• The latest application deadline for Fall Term entry is May 1.
• The latest application deadline for Winter Term entry is October 1.
• The latest application deadline for Spring Term entry is February 1.

To meet these deadlines, all components of your application must be received by the dates above. Applications that are incomplete will not be reviewed nor will they be deferred to future terms.

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.

• Begin an application
• Detailed application instructions

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.

• After you've applied

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

• Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy
  Learn more about the academic unit offering this program
• Program and Course Catalogue
  To view official admission and program requirements