Program
The Master of Sustainability (MSs) has one intake per year—September.
Applications for the 2025–2026 academic year will open in September 2024
Deadline for international applications is 15 January 2025.
Deadline for domestic applications is 31 March 2025.
You do not need a faculty supervisor to apply for this program.
Note: Any application documents that are intended to be personal statements (e.g., Statement of Intent, Statement of Research, etc.) must be written by the applicant. Any such documents that appear to be produced by generative artificial intelligence (e.g., ChatGPT) may be rejected.
| Program | Expected Length | Thesis-based | Project-based | Course-based | Delivery |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| M.Ss. (Energy Security) | 22 months | On campus Online | |||
| M.Ss. (Regenerative Sustainability) | 22–24 months | On campus Online |
In this professional program, you'll transcend disciplinary boundaries to manage complex problems and address sustainability challenges from the local to the global context. You'll develop your professional skills and address real-world issues by working with a public, private or not-for-profit partner organization as you complete the degree requirements with an applied project.
The MSs has two fields of study:
- Energy Security: The mission of the Energy Security stream is to empower a network of northern, Indigenous, remote, and career professionals through distance education and purpose-driven practical experience to lead sustainable community energy development.
- Regenerative Sustainability: The mission of the Regenerative Sustainability stream is to empower our graduates to catalyze positive, transformative, changes in socio-ecological systems by engaging with the latest developments in sustainability thinking and practice.
Students are challenged to think outside the boundaries of traditional disciplinary programs to address environmental and sustainability challenges with regional, national, and international significance. This program exposes graduate students to a variety of unique environmental learning and research experiences and helps nurture students to become critical thinkers, who are capable of addressing the significant challenges associated with environmental change and sustainability.
Graduates from this program have found jobs in the public, private and non-profit sectors, highlighting the interdisciplinary nature of the degree program.
Learn more about this program and potential career opportunities in our Major Map documents.
Tuition
This is a 30-credit unit program.
| Program | Canadian students | International students |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Sustainability (course-based and project-based) per credit unit |
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
Master of Sustainability (M.Ss.)
- A four-year undergraduate degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, OR a three-year first cycle undergraduate degree, in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, from an institution meeting the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration, will be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate degree
- A minimum cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (USask grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (e.g., 60 credit units)
- 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, a minimum overall IELTS score of 6.5, or another approved test as outlined by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies
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.
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:
- A curriculum vitae or resume
- A brief statement/letter of intent (one to two pages in length) that includes:
- Specific areas of interest that could lead to a project topic
- A description of why the applicant wants to pursue professionally-oriented graduate study in the interdisciplinary context of the School of Environment and Sustainability
- A description of any employment or study experiences that relate to the professional interests described
Contact
School of Environment and Sustainability
Room 326 Kirk Hall
117 Science Place
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5C8
Program Director (Regenerative Sustainability)
Dr. Colin Whitfield
Email: colin.whitfield@usask.ca
Program Director (Energy Security)
Dr. Oscar Zapata
Email: oscar.zapata@uask.ca
SENS Admissions Team
Email: sens.admissions@usask.ca
Telephone: 306-966-1985
- School of Environment & Sustainability
Learn more about the academic unit offering this program - Program and Course Catalogue
To view official admission and program requirements