Program

The MA TESOL graduate program is currently not available and we will not be accepting applications. Students who wish to pursue research in the area of English as a Second or Additional Language are encouraged to consider the Applied Linguistics concentration in the MA Linguistics program.

ProgramExpected LengthProject and/or thesisCourse based
M.A.2 years

The Master of Arts in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (MATESOL) is a course-based (30 course units of coursework) graduate program designed to enhance the skills of English as a second/foreign/additional language teachers within Canada and from abroad.

The MATESOL program is for students who are interested in enhancing their understanding of ESL/EAL/EFL teaching and learning processes, mechanisms of second language acquisition, English language structures, and in developing their professional skills as ESL/EAL/EFL language teachers.

Students are expected to complete the program within two years of study.

Tuition and funding

Funding

Upon admission each student is automatically considered for all forms of available funding, which may include scholarships, teaching fellowships, and various bursaries. The availability of this funding is limited for this program. There are also special programs for international students from China, Mexico and Ecuador.

Graduate students at USask can receive funding from a variety of sources to support their graduate education.

Tuition

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 4.2.

Canadian students International students
Cost per graduate credit unit $265.80 CAD $598.05 CAD
Maintenance of Status course $797.40 CAD $1,794.15 CAD
Cost per 3 credit unit graduate class $797.40 CAD $1,794.15 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 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

Master of Arts (M.A.)

  • 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)
  • A four-year honours degree, or equivalent, from a recognized college or university in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study (such as Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Education, English, etc.)
  • A minimum of nine credit units of undergraduate Linguistics courses, such as LING 111.3, LING 110.3, or LING 112.3, or any structural Linguistics course, such as Phonetics, Phonology, Lexicology, Morphology, Syntax, Semantics, Discourse, or their equivalents. Students not satisfying the nine credit units of Linguistics or equivalent requirement can be accepted on a probational admission basis. These students will be required to complete the requirement within their first year of 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.

This program is not currently accepting applications. Please check the Program section of this page for more information.

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:

  • A curriculum vitae or resume including a brief written description of previous relevant course work, grades, employment, and relevant training and life experience
  • Statement/letter of intent: Provide a two to three page self-written statement, detailing relevant academic background, prior teaching experience and your teaching philosophy. Also, include why you have chosen the University of Saskatchewan and your expectations of the program
  • Writing sample: Provide an eight to ten page writing sample, preferably in the form of a paper, that had previously been submitted for a university-level course

Contact

Graduate Admissions
Linguistics
9 Campus Drive - Room 518 Arts
University of Saskatchewan
Saskatoon, SK S7N 5A5

Graduate Chair
Dr. Zhi Li
Email: z.li@usask.ca

Application Admin Support
Anna McKenzie
Email: asg.gradapplications@usask.ca

Program Admin Support
Nadine Penner
Email: asg.graduateprograms@usask.ca