20.1. CREDENTIAL DESCRIPTION

These credential descriptions provide the minimum structural requirements for graduate programs at the University of Saskatchewan. Specific programs may have higher or additional requirements that are approved by the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies.

Degree Type	Description of Degree	Min AGPA	Minimum Requirements
Postgraduate Diploma	Designed to provide well-rounded graduate-level knowledge in a ﬁeld of study, with an aim to cultivate and encourage expertise and practice within a professional credential. In some ﬁelds, students may be given the opportunity to become acquainted with research techniques.	65% (on last 60 credits) of an undergraduate degree	30 credit units of coursework, at least 18 of which are at the 800-level in the same ﬁeld of study Designed to be completed within a two-year period
Graduate Certificate	Graduate certﬁcate programs provide graduate-level study without requiring individuals to commit to a master’s program. Programs either deepen knowledge and skills in a speciﬁc discipline or ﬁeld or provide exposure to an interdisciplinary area of focus.	TBD (70% - last 2 yrs of FT/60 credits) of an undergraduate (4 yr or equiv degree)	9 – 12 credits of coursework completed at the graduate level
Master's	Master’s degrees may be research or professionally oriented. Research-oriented Master’s degrees aim to produce graduates who have a good understanding of the current issues in their chosen ﬁeld of study, and who have the skills to engage in critical evaluation and research within that ﬁeld. These graduates have skills that are transferable to positions of leadership and responsibility in society at large. Graduates of research-oriented Master’s degrees are prepared for doctoral training. Professionally oriented master’s prepare students to work in various professions and are often the credentials required for the entry-to-practice (e.g., CPA, physical therapist, nurse practitioner).
Master's course-based degree	Designed to provide students with a good understanding of current issues and methods in a discipline to apply this understanding in practical or professional contexts. Course-based programs will provide students with a broader background in the ﬁeld of study through coursework. Aside from the research activities embedded within the coursework, programs have a few activities speciﬁcally dedicated to conducting research or reporting results.	70% - last 2 yrs of FT/60 credits	At least 30 credit units of coursework with at least 24 credit units completed at the graduate level. At least one full year in length, and should be able to be completed within two years.
Master's project-based degree	Designed to meet the needs of students who wish to obtain advanced knowledge in a specialized field with limited research experience. Designed to introduce students to advanced levels of knowledge and scholarship within a field of study through focused research experiences. Students will gain an understanding of the field and the scholarly skills required for advanced research in the discipline, typically through a combination of coursework and focused research creation or mobilization.	70% - last 2 yrs of FT/60 credits	At least 24 credit units of coursework, with a maximum of 30 credit units (inclusive of the research-project course). A minimum of 18 credit units of that work must be at the graduate level. Research project, typically worth between 0 and 6 credit units, depending on the program. The project may be an application of research or a research project. The research component of the degree may entail the application of research outcomes or a separate research project. At least one full year in length, and should be able to be completed within two years.
Master's thesis-based degree	Introduces students to advanced levels of research and scholarship within a related ﬁeld of study where students will learn about the value of and gain experience in conductng research. Students will gain an understanding of the current issues in their chosen ﬁeld of study and will develop the skills to engage in critcal evaluaton and research within that ﬁeld.	70% - last 2 yrs of FT/60 credits	At least 9 credit units of coursework at the graduate level. At least one full year in length, and should be able to be completed within two years. Thesis proposal (optional). Annual committee meetings. Thesis defence.
Doctorate-Professional	“A professionally-focused doctoral program at the graduate level designed for working professionals and oriented toward practice and leadership.” * Doctorate programs focus on the application of research to professional or creative activities. Students in these programs are typically mid-career; programs are designed to help students address complex problems in practice within their industry or profession.	Master's degree 70%	Requires substantial coursework and will vary by program. Expected completion in three years. May require written and/or oral exams in relevant or essential aspects of the discipline; an internship or exhibition; and satisfactory defense of applied research presented in the form of a dissertation or acceptable substitute at a level commensurate with professional work in the area of study.
Philosophical Doctorate (PhD)	Designed to cultivate a thorough understanding of the subject matter, autonomy, creativity, sound judgment skills, ethical maturity, and academic integrity, exceptional written and oral communication skills, and analytical thinking skills. Students will develop the ability to initiate and evaluate work in their ﬁeld and must make an original contribution of signiﬁcance to the advancement of knowledge.	Master's degree 70% Or 80% in last 2 years of Bachelor's	No minimum requirement for coursework. Required coursework will vary by program. Expected completion in four years. Annual committee meetings. Candidacy Assessment, including dissertation proposal. Dissertation defense.
* As deﬁned in the Academic and Curricular Nomenclature Policy – page 14.

20. DEGREE-LEVEL EXPECTATIONS

20.1. CREDENTIAL DESCRIPTION