Situated on Treaty 6 territory and the homeland of the Métis, the Department of English represents a supportive scholarly community. With its first M.A. conferred in 1920, our department continues the tradition of facilitating graduate student excellence in research and writing.

For more information about graduate studies in the Department of English, please contact Professor Ann Martin, the Chair of the Graduate Committee: ann.martin@usask.ca.

For information on your specific degree program, please clikc the link below.

Courses and Registration

For information on registering in courses, please see the Coursework and Registration page. See also Tuition Rates and Fees for graduate degree programs.

English M.A. and Ph.D. students should consult the Department of English Graduate Chair (ann.martin@usask.ca) before registering in coursework.

NOTE: M.A. and Ph.D. students must register in ENG 990.0 every year. In addition:

  • A. Project students must register in ENG 992.0 every term
  • A. Thesis students must register in ENG 994.0 every term
  • D. students must register in ENG 996.0 every term

M.F.A. in Writing students should consult with the M.F.A. in Writing Director (jeanette.lynes@usask.ca) before registering in coursework.

NOTE: M.F.A. students must register in WRIT 994.0 every term and WRIT 990.0 every year.

Grades

Graduate students in the Department of English are expected to achieve an average of 80% or higher, which is the minimum grade for funding. Master’s students must achieve 60% in order to pass a given course. Doctoral students must achieve 70% in order to pass a given course.

For more information on grades and standards, please see the CGPS Policy Manual, Section 5.7.

Milestones

SSHRC applications: all eligible students are expected to apply for Tri-Agency funding, including Canadian Graduate Scholarships.

  • Ph.D. and prospective doctoral students should apply to the CGS-D program; the institutional deadline is typically early October.
  • M.A. and M.F.A., as well as prospective Master’s students should apply to the CGS-M program; the deadline is typically 1 December.
  • Consult the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Tri-Agency site for more information.

1 May: submit to the Graduate Chair your completed, signed Student-Supervisor Agreement Form.

  • See the Graduate Supervisors page for a list of faculty members available to supervise Master’s and Doctoral projects in a range of specializations.

31 May: submit to the Graduate Chair your final, approved Research Proposal in the first year of the M.A. degree and the second year of the Ph.D.

  • See your degree page for guidelines regarding proposal requirements.

Annual Advisory Committee meetings: each year, typically between April and June, all graduate students will meet with their Advisory Committee. Led by the Graduate Chair or by the M.F.A. in Writing Program Director, this meeting is intended to support student progress and productive dialogue towards the successful completion of degree requirements.

  • Minutes of this meeting will be recorded in the form of a GPS 210 Progress Report, which will be signed by the student, supervisor, and chair, and kept for future reference.

Apply to Graduate: to complete their degrees, students:

Support Services

Graduate students in the Department of English can consult with the Administrative Support Group regarding day-to-day issues such as applications and paperwork, office space, oral examinations and defences, and payroll.

  • For information regarding departmental resources, room bookings, and course scheduling, you can consult with Sarah Zdunich, Office Coordinator for the Department of English: english.department@usask.ca
  • For assistance with managing aspects of your graduate program, you can consult with Nadine Penner, the Graduate Programs Administrative Coordinator: asg.graduateprograms@usask.ca
  • For questions regarding your application or graduate program, you can consult with Anna McKenzie, the Graduate Programs Assistant: asg.gradapplications@usask.ca
  • For assistance with funding and payroll questions, you can consult with Clarence Mararagan, the Graduate Student Funding Coordinator: asg.gradfunding@usask.ca

Students who experience barriers to academic success are encouraged to connect and register with Access and Equity Services.

  • In addition to accommodations pertaining to coursework, strategies are available for other degree requirements. Students are encouraged to connect with the Graduate Chair to discuss their options.
  • Section 13.2 of the CGPS Policy Manual provides more information on Access and Equity Services in relation to graduate studies. Particularly recommended is an Accommodations Planning Committee meeting early in the degree in order to establish a clear path forward towards success at every stage of the program.

The College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies offers resources regarding the graduate school experience, tips on coursework and research, and strategies for student success.

  • The Grad Hub contains information on academic resources, including pages on drafting and submitting the thesis or dissertation.
  • The CGPS Policy Manual contains an overview of academic policies and procedures relating to your degree, including information on time in program and leaves of absence.
  • The CGPS Funding page provides and overview as well as specific funding opportunities and supports for scholarship applications.

Campus support services include recreational facilities and wellness resources.

Student societies offer opportunities to engage on departmental, university-wide, and national levels.

  • The English Course Council or ECC is the Department of English’s graduate student organization and offers a vibrant social community as well as an important voice on departmental policy and decision making. Graduate student representatives are elected by the English Course Council to serve on the department’s Undergraduate Committee, Graduate Committee, and Faculty Committee, as well as the Graduate Students’ Association and ACCUTE, the Association for Canadian College and University Teachers of English, a national organization that links Master’s and Doctoral students to their colleagues across Canada.
  • The Graduate Students’ Association is the representative body for the nearly 4000 grad students on campus. Offering a range of services, such as the Health and Dental Plan, as well as links to further resources and supports, it speaks to and advocates for all graduate students.
  • Any graduate student employed at the University of Saskatchewan as a Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, Writing Centre Assistant, or Writing Tutor is part of the PSAC Graduate Student union, Local 40004. Rates of pay and other workers’ rights are available for consultation in the Collective Agreement.

Professional Development and Career Planning

ENG 990.0 and WRIT 990.0 involve monthly Professional Skills seminars designed for English and M.F.A. in Writing students respectively. University-level resources can complement these discipline-specific professionalization supports.

The Gwenna Moss Centre for Teaching and Learning offers graduate student instructional support.

  • Workshops are offered on a regular basis for TAs and for instructors.
  • Courses specific to graduate students, such as GPS 986: Teaching Preparation Certificate, offer more a extended engagement with teacher training and facilitate the creation of a Teaching Philosophy and Portfolio.
  • The Teacher-Scholar Doctoral Fellowship is a funded position connected to the GMCTL offering invaluable professional experience for upper-year PhD candidates.

The Professional Development site at the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies is led by Dr. Kenisha Blair-Walcott: kenisha.blairwalcott@usask.ca  It provides resources for self-directed career planning and professional growth within and beyond the academic world. As well as information sessions and workshops on topics such as interview skills, the PD site offers:

  • Opportunities to explore different career paths relating to your graduate degree through venues such as Beyond the Professoriate.
  • Professional skills training, such as Project Management or Leadership Skills, through venues such as Mitacs.
  • Supported opportunities for communicating research to wide audiences, as through the 3MT Competition.

The University of Saskatchewan Career Centre offers career coaching and workshops, as well as specific resources for academic and non-academic job searches.

  • Consult the C.V. guide for information on how to create a professional curriculum vitae or academic resume.
  • See the Career Services Guide, which provides information on cover letters, resumes, and interview preparation.

Links and Resources