Program

Substance use and its impact on health and wellbeing are receiving growing attention from the Canadian public, health professionals, and service providers. The Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Health and Wellbeing at University of Saskatchewan, offered through the School of Public Health, is designed to deepen your professional understanding of this critical area. 

Why choose USask for Substance Use Health and Wellbeing?

  • This certificate is flexible and course-based, and can be completed in one year, making it a practical choice for working professionals.
  • Encourages cross-sector collaboration and systems-level thinking to address substance-related health outcomes.

Quick facts

  • Expected Length Thesis-based Course-based
    G.Cert. 1 year
  • Degree requirements
  • Class delivery in-person
  • Supervisor not applicable
  • Deadlines and admission details below

Gamechangers in Substance Use Health and Wellbeing

Through this program, you’ll gain the tools to support meaningful change in health systems and contribute to improving the wellbeing of individuals and communities across Saskatchewan and Canada.

Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Health and Wellbeing

The certificate is open to students and professionals from allied health fields, including medicine, nursing, social work, dentistry, psychology, and law, and for those who want to advance their competency in recognizing substance-related health outcomes spanning through policy, research, and medical practice standards.

Professionals in public health and related disciplines require enhanced training opportunities that deepen knowledge and bridge the gaps between the latest evidence-based understanding of substance use health, and professional policy and practice.

The certificate program consists of 12 credit units.

Tuition

Program Canadian students International students
Graduate Certificate in Substance Use Health and Wellbeing  per credit unit $375.66 CAD $845.23 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.

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Admission requirements

Admission requirements

Graduate Certificate (G.Cert.)

  • Language Proficiency Requirements: Proof of English proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English
  • 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), where applicable
  • A four-year degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study OR a diploma in a human services field and at least two-years of working experience OR one year of post-secondary training and at least three-years of working experience OR Five-years of working experience in a human service field. Applicants will be considered using a holistic admissions approach and should demonstrate a strong potential for success in the program through previous education and/or work experience
  • A two-page letter of intent outlining how their work and personal experience prepares them for successful performance in the certificate program
  • Current CV or resume

Application process and deadlines

You are highly encouraged to gather and submit all supporting documents as quickly as possible to ensure an admission review and decision is reached in a timely manner. Incomplete applications missing supporting documents will not be reviewed.

Deadlines and important dates

Start Term Application Deadline 
Fall 2026 Feb 1, 2026

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.
  • 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.

You may be required to submit the following documents:

  • A curriculum vitae (CV) or resume that includes background and relevant employment history
  • A statement/letter of intent, two pages maximum, that outlines how your work and personal experience prepares you for a successful performance in the certificate program

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Contact

School of Public Health
5D40 Health Sciences
107 Wiggins Road
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5E5

Graduate Programs Assistant
Jen Pippen
Email: sph.admissions@usask.ca

Assistant Professor, SPH, USask
Dr. Barb Fornssler