The Edwards Master of Science in Management program (MSc Mgmt) is a two-year, thesis-based program designed for students wishing to pursue business research based on their interests. 

Specialize in fields such as marketing, finance, or management that encompasses most disciplines in business such as supply chain management, information systems, human resources, organizational behaviour, strategy, management science, data analytics, or behavioural sciences.

The degree can be used as a platform if you wish to pursue a PhD or gain a competitive advantage in industry-based jobs that have a significant research component (business analysis, market research, financial analysis, consulting, etc.). 

 Kayla Benoit shares her experience as a MSc student at Edwards School of Business.

Program Details

The first year of the two-year curriculum is devoted to course work while the thesis is the second-year focus.  

Due to the research-intensive nature of the program and individual student supervision at the thesis stage, applicants are carefully adjudicated, and enrolment is limited. Only a handful of universities across North America offer programs that have a similar research focus at the master's level. 

• Course Schedule

   In general, the Edwards MSc program schedule consists of the following:

  Year 1	Year 2
  Core courses  Additional Electives Independent study courses GSR 960 – Introduction to Ethics and Integrity MGT 990 – Seminar in Management (non-credit course required by USask)	MGT 990 – Seminar in Management (non-credit course required by USask) MGT 994 – Research Thesis Optional: Additional Electives

  These courses comprise the basic structure for the fundamental development of your MSc program of study. Between May and August you are expected to work on your thesis (literature review, methodology, collecting data, etc.). 

• Marketing Courses

  *For the most up-to-date program information visit the USask Course and Program Catalogue.

  MGT 801 Designing Management Research

  This course provides an introduction to management research at the graduate level. It explores the steps in the research process, from literature review and research question formulation, to data collection and analysis, to publishing and presenting. Methods common to management research studies, such as experiments, qualitative interviews, are examined.

  MKT 802 Marketing Theory

  This course covers the broad topic of marketing theory. Students will engage in high-level, critical discussion of the theories and models that form the foundation of scholarly work in the field of marketing.

  MKT 803 Consumer Behaviour

  This course will offer students an advanced understanding of behavioural theories of judgment and decision making, with emphasis on consumer behaviour. Specifically, the course will provide at the graduate level a collaborative examination of the processes involved in attention, memory, perception, attitude formation, choice, and satisfaction in consumption-related environments. Substantive knowledge and research methods underlying each of these streams of study will be explored.  

  MGT 808 Qualitative Research Methods

  This course provides an in-depth overview of qualitative research methods at the graduate level. We will take a hands-on approach to developing research skills in qualitative research methods widely used in the social sciences. This includes an understanding of methodological approaches, data collection and analysis, and knowledge mobilization techniques.

  MKT 898 Statistics for Management Research

  Introduction to statistical methods for management research. Students will explore experimental design, ANOVA, regression, statistical hypothesis testing, confidence intervals,  factor analysis, and more, with a focus on interpretation of results for an academic journal setting. There will also be a paper presentation during which students critique the statistical analysis in a published journal article in a management science field. While students must have taken an introductory statistics course in their undergraduate studies, this course does not assume more than cursory background knowledge of statistics. Through discussion and hands-on examples in SPSS, students will re-explore ideas from undergraduate courses and integrate them into graduate-level research methods.

  GSR 960 Introduction to Ethics and Integrity

  GSR 960 is an online course completed through Course Tools (Blackboard). This is a required course for all first year Graduate Studies students at the U of S. The purpose of this course is to discuss ethical issues that graduate students may face during their time at the University. Students will complete modules dealing with integrity and scholarship, graduate student-supervisor relationships, conflict of interest, conflict resolution and intellectual property and credit.  This course must be completed in the student’s first term as a graduate student.

  MGT 990 MSc Management Seminar

  A forum in which MSc students and faculty discuss and present research, as well as a forum for students to develop their professional skills. All MSc students participate in MGT 990; attendance is mandatory for MSc Management program completion.

  MGT 994 Research – Thesis

  Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

• Finance Courses

  *For the most up-to-date program information visit the USask Course and Program Catalogue.

  Required courses

  ECON 808 Econometrics

  The fundamentals of estimation and inference in the classical regression model, with applied laboratory sessions using actual economic data. Topics covered typically include: multiple linear and non-linear regression models; least squares; maximum likelihood; instrumental variables; statistical properties of estimators; asymptotic theory; restrictions; measurement error; serial correlation; heteroskedasticity; systems of equations.

  FIN 801 Advanced Corporate Finance

  Provides students with a fundamental understanding of the current issues of interest in research in the modern theory of corporate finance. It provides students with a theoretical background in areas such as firm theory, security issuance, capital raising, capital structure, and corporate governance. Presentation and discussion of articles from academic journals are used as tools to enhance student learning.

  FIN 802 Advanced Investment Theory

  Develops investment theory through the financial economics framework of Von-Neumann Morgenstern utility. This allows exploration of risk aversion, stochastic dominance, and portfolio optimization. MPT and CAPM are derived. Arrow-Debreu contingent claims and option pricing theory are addressed. Additional topics include risk-neutral valuation, stochastic discount factors, and the consumption CAPM.

  FIN 803 Empirical Methods in Finance

  Presents a critical look at current financial models and gives the student experience in the systematic analysis of financial data. Students are exposed to a suite of analytical tools that allow rigorous assessment of the characteristics of financial data and models.  

  FIN 805 Fixed Income Securities

  This course considers the financial concepts required to invest in fixed income securities. Topics include the mathematics required to evaluate fixed income cash flows, measuring and hedging fixed income portfolio risk, the yield curve in theory and practice, repurchase agreements, interest rate forward agreements, futures contracts, swaps, and mortgage-backed securities.

  GSR 960 Introduction to Ethics and Integrity

  GSR 960 is an online course that you complete through Course Tools (Blackboard). This is a required course for all first year Graduate Studies students at the U of S. The purpose of this course is to discuss ethical issues that graduate students may face during their time at the University. You will complete modules dealing with integrity and scholarship, graduate student-supervisor relationships, conflict of interest, conflict resolution and intellectual property and credit.  This course must be completed in the student’s first term as a graduate student.

  MGT 990 MSc Management Seminar

  A forum in which MSc students and faculty discuss and present research, as well as a forum for students to develop their professional skills. All MSc students participate in MGT 990; attendance is mandatory for MSc Management program completion.

  FIN 994 Research in Finance

  Students undertaking research must register in this course each year until completion of the program.

  MGT 994 Research – Thesis

  Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

  Electives

  ECON 804 Research in Econometrics

  A research project serves as the primary tool to learn econometric techniques, but is augmented by a consideration of the theoretical aspects of econometrics.

  FIN 819 Advanced Derivative Securities

  Deals selectively with the theories, strategies, and applications of derivative securities. Topics include futures and forward contracts, swaps, standard options, exotic options and other derivative securities on different underlying assets; valuation techniques; empirical studies; governance and regulation of derivative securities trading and exposure; and management of financial risks.

  FIN 861 Advanced Theory of Finance

  Starts out with the classic Miller-Modigliani irrelevance theorem, which describes a frictionless financial markets set-up. Various deviations from this set-up, particularly with respect to agency costs, information asymmetries, and taxes, are then introduced. Students will also study how these market imperfections affect firms’ dividend policies and capital structures.

  FIN 866 Advanced International Corporate Finance

  Involves analysis of the problems, opportunities and questions confronting the financial management of multinational enterprises. Consideration is given to macro aspects of international finance including the problems of international liquidity and related institutional developments as inputs to the financial decision making of multinational enterprises. Students work closely with the instructor and review several academic journal articles in the area of global legal institutions, global corporate governance, global ownership structures, global cost of capital and capital structure.

  FIN 867 Advanced Portfolio Theory and Management

  Access to timely and relevant data provides a firm foundation for critical decisions in portfolio theory and management. Bloomberg and Wharton Research Data Services (WRDS) are integrated into the learning experiences of this course. Graduates can get credit towards their Bloomberg Markets Concept Certificate, an important boost to any finance resume, while learning how to extract key data and firm information, ranging from betas to Corporate Social Responsibility scores. Students gain hands on experience in choosing appropriate data sources for specific goals. Finally, Behavioural Finance is also explored in addition to the more traditional portfolio management topics, including but not limited to, portfolio selection, diversification, efficient frontier analysis and asset pricing. Graduates of this course will have a firm practical and theoretical foundation for business or academic finance careers.

  FIN 869 Advanced Management of Financial Institutions

  It is geared towards students who intend to broaden their knowledge in Financial Institutions beyond the knowledge of undergraduate studies and who may intend to work in the area of financial institutions in their thesis. This course will introduce papers which uses specialized methods used in this area of research in addition to papers that cover the current interesting area of research.

  FIN 871 Advanced Investment Practicum

  Gives students practical experience in the acquisition, managing, and monitoring of investment securities and entry and exit decisions with an application to managing the funds held in the Investment Account of the Student Managed Portfolio Trust (SMPT). Students will develop skills related to managing a group of financial analysts to compare and contrast the relative merits of investment opportunities among different industries and asset classes. The legal and ethical considerations of investing will be emphasized throughout.

  GSR 961 Ethics and Integrity in Human Research

  GSR 961 is an online course that you complete through Course Tools (Blackboard). This is a required course for students interested in doing research on human subjects.  Introduces students to the ethics of research with human subjects. Students will complete the Tri-Council Policy Statement: Ethics Conduct for Research involving Humans (TCPS) Tutorial and become familiar with the human ethics processes at the University of Saskatchewan.

   

• Management Courses

  MGT 808 Qualitative Research Methods

  This course provides an in-depth overview of qualitative research methods at the graduate level. We will take a hands-on approach to developing research skills in qualitative research methods widely used in the social sciences. This includes an understanding of methodological approaches, data collection and analysis, and knowledge mobilization techniques.

  MGT 801 Designing Management Research

  This course provides an introduction to management research at the graduate level. It explores the steps in the research process, from literature review and research question formulation, to data collection and analysis, to publishing and presenting. Methods common to management research studies, such as experiments, qualitative interviews, are examined.

  MKT 898 Statistics for Management Research

  Introduction to statistical methods for management research. Students will explore experimental design, ANOVA, regression, statistical hypothesis testing, confidence intervals,  factor analysis, and more, with a focus on interpretation of results for an academic journal setting. There will also be a paper presentation during which students critique the statistical analysis in a published journal article in a management science field. While students must have taken an introductory statistics course in their undergraduate studies, this course does not assume more than cursory background knowledge of statistics. Through discussion and hands-on examples in SPSS, students will re-explore ideas from undergraduate courses and integrate them into graduate-level research methods.

  GSR 960 Introduction to Ethics and Integrity

  GSR 960 is an online course completed through Course Tools (Blackboard). This is a required course for all first year Graduate Studies students at the U of S. The purpose of this course is to discuss ethical issues that graduate students may face during their time at the University. Students will complete modules dealing with integrity and scholarship, graduate student-supervisor relationships, conflict of interest, conflict resolution and intellectual property and credit.  This course must be completed in the student’s first term as a graduate student.

  MGT 990 MSc Management Seminar

  A forum in which MSc students and faculty discuss and present research, as well as a forum for students to develop their professional skills. All MSc students participate in MGT 990; attendance is mandatory for MSc Management program completion.

  MGT 994 Research – Thesis

  Students writing a Master's thesis must register for this course.

• Electives
  Under the discretion of the program director and/or your thesis supervisor, electives can be taken from other relevant departments such as economics, law, math, business, psychology, economics, education, and other disciplines. 
• Independent study

  Independent Study courses may be offered to provide you with an opportunity to deepen your knowledge of an area of focus in Management for which there is not an existing graduate level course at Edwards or available from another unit on campus.  

  For example, if you are interested in writing your thesis on an organizational behaviour (OB) topic, a faculty member from the Department of Human Resources and Organizational Behaviour could offer Independent Study courses on that topic.  

Thesis

What makes the MSc degree at the University of Saskatchewan unique compared to other MSc in Management programs is the requirement to perform original research which you must defend before an examination committee. 

• Thesis development stages

  During the thesis component of the MSc in Management program you will develop, under the supervision of an academic advisor, a research project consisting of the following three distinct stages:

  1. The identification, in conjunction with the academic supervisor, of an appropriate thesis topic and the completion of an oral proposal defense,
  2. The development and completion of the written thesis project involving regular interaction with the thesis supervisor, and
  3. A final defense of the thesis.

  Successful completion of the final defense will require that the research project be completed to the satisfaction of your supervisory committee which, in most cases, will consist of the academic supervisor as the chairman, one faculty member from within the department, and an external examiner selected from outside the department.

• Examples of research questions

  Please note that the following examples might be very different than your actual thesis topic in the specific research area:

  Finance

  • Cultural elements and corporate financial performance: how culture plays a role in shaping economic outcomes, especially in the context of corporate financial behaviour and financial performance

  Marketing & Advertising

  • Marketing for Social Impact: how marketing can be used to support worthy causes/initiatives to help improve people’s wellbeing in the long term performance

  Management

  • Entrepreneurship, Strategic Management & Innovation: how organizations can use an entrepreneurial mindset to attain specific strategic objectives, and the impact of innovation-related factors on performance
  • Human resources, organizational behaviour, organizational performance, and employee well-being: how do organizations develop human resource management policies and practices that build high performance cultures, sustainable performance, and employee resilience and well-being?
  • Operations Management & Information Systems: how the systems involving humans and machines can be optimized to the benefit of the stakeholders.

Research Supervisors

In your first year of study, you will be matched with a supervisor based on your area of interest. All students who are accepted into the MSc program are matched with a supervisor.  

Admission Requirements and Tuition

• Admission Requirements

  The Edwards MSc in Management will assess applicants on a composite and holistic basis for admission purposes. We will look at a variety of factors when making admission decisions including undergraduate degree, grade point average, research interest, GMAT/GRE score, and reference letters. An interview may be required.

  Your Completed Admission Package Includes: Completed Online Application Form and $120 Application Fee GMAT Score of 550 or equivalent GRE* English Proficiency Scores (if required) A Transcript of your Academic Record Three Letters of Reference Current Resume Letter of Intent All documents must be uploaded to your online application.

  4 Year Undergraduate Degree 

  • A cumulative weighted average of at least a 70% (U of S grade system equivalent) in the last two years of study (i.e. 60 credit units).
  • 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 three-year first cycle undergraduate degree, in an academic discipline relevant to the proposed field of study, from an institution that meets the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration, will be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate degree;
    • Note that students pursuing a finance specialty must have at least 6 U of S equivalent credit units (1 year) of Statistics, 6 equivalent credit units of Economics (1 year), and 3 U of S equivalent credit units (1/2 year) of Calculus.

   

  GMAT (Graduate Management Admissions Test) or GRE (Graduate Record Examination)

  All applicants wishing to enter the program are required to write a GMAT or GRE exam. 

  • GMAT - The minimum accepted GMAT score is 550 (a score of 600 or higher is recommended, due to competition for limited space in the program). This test can be written at major centres throughout the world. For information on test centre locations, the nature of the exam, and scoring procedures, please visit the GMAT website. GMAT scores are valid for five years from the date the test is taken.
  • GRE - The minimum accepted GRE score is that which is equivalent to a 600 GMAT score. 

  *While a minimum GMAT score of 550 is required, the GMAT requirement may be waived if:

  • An applicant has successfully completed a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the Edwards School of Business within this last 10 years and achieved an average of 75% in their last two years of full-time study (60 credit units)
  • An applicant has successfully completed an undergraduate business degree from an accredited Canadian business school (i.e.: AACSB or EQUIS) and has a converted entrance average of a minimum of 80% in the last two years of full-time study (60 credit units)
  • An applicant has significant Canadian research experience, which could include the successful completion of an extensive research project for an advanced undergraduate course, or a minimum of one year working as a research associate for a research group or firm.

  Letters of Reference

  The Edwards MSc in Management requires you to submit 3 confidential letters of recommendation, from professors or others or others that you have studied under.

  1. Contact your referees and ask them to provide a reference for you for the Edwards MSc in Management program, and obtain an up to date email address.
  2. You will then fill out your referee’s complete information on the online application form, and enter their current email address.
  3. Once your application is completed, your referee’s will be sent a link where they can fill out an online form for your reference letter.

  Letter of Intent

  Your letter of intent is a chance to tell the Edwards MSc in Management Selection Committee what unique and valuable contributions you can make to the program.

  • Provide a brief description of your business and educational background, and your goals for the future. How will an MSc in Management help you achieve your goals? Briefly describe your research interests and identify your preferred area of specialization.
  • Based on your preferred area of specialization, identify three potential supervisors with whom you would like to work and briefly explain why you would like to work with these individuals.
  • Discuss why you have decided to apply to the Edwards MSc in Management program, and why it is a good fit for you. What specific parts of the Edwards MSc program are you looking forward to?

  Make sure your letter of intent is unique and specific to the Edwards MSc in Management program. We don't want to read generic letters that sound like they could have been sent to any school. We want to know why you have chosen the Edwards MSc in Management, and why we should choose you! 

  Resume

  Outline your previous education and work experience (if applicable) so the selection committee can have a good understanding of your background.

  Proof of English Proficiency

  Proof of English language proficiency may be required for international applicants and for applicants whose first language is not English. To see whether you will be exempt from this requirement, Click Here. All scores must be from one exam date, not to be combined with other exam dates.  Tests are valid for 24 months after the testing date and must be valid at the beginning of the student’s first term or registration in the graduate program. 

  For more information on language proficiency requirements, see the College of Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies Academic Policies for more information.

• Tuition

  The College of Graduate & Postdoctoral Studies at the University of Saskatchewan governs tuitions and fee structures for graduate programs across the university including the MSc program in Finance. Graduate fees are comparable to similar programs at other universities. The fee structure for graduate studies is provided below:

  	Canadian Student Tuition	International Student Tuition
  Per Term	$2,500	$5,625
  Annually*	$7,500	$16,875
  Total Program Tuition**	$15,000	$33,750

  *The annual academic calendar for graduate studies consists of 3 terms.

  **The standard length of the MSc in Finance program is 2 years, although some students take longer to complete. If a student takes longer than two years to complete, they will be assessed appropriate tuition going forward. 

  Graduate studies tuition - Current tuition is also posted on the Money Matters website.

  Student Fees - All graduate students, including international graduate students, must pay the student fees. These fees are subject to review and revision at any time, and, they are non-refundable after the add/drop deadline for a given term. Current fees are posted on the Money Matters website. For information on how and when to pay graduate fees check the University Course Calendar for Payment of Tuition and Compulsory Fees.

• Scholarships and Awards

  All accepted International applicants who apply by the January 31 deadline and accepted Domestic applicants who apply by April 30, will receive funding in the form scholarships/awards for your first year of study. The guaranteed funding level is dependent upon the number of accepted applicants and funding available at the time of arrival into the program. Funding will available to you in your subsequent years in the form of TA work.

  MSc students can also apply for the USask scholarships, bursaries, and awards.

  In addition to this, Edwards has a dedicated award for self-declared First Nations, Métis, and Inuit students:

  • Dean’s Circle awards (three awards valued at $10,000 each) recognize Indigenous graduate students who are entering or continuing a master’s program (Master of Business Administration, Master of Professional Accounting, or Master of Science) at Edwards. The award will be given out in the 2024-25 academic year to students who are self-declared and have verified their Indigenous citizenship/membership based on the University of Saskatchewan’s deybwewin | taapwaywin | tapwewin policy.

  For more information on other graduate student scholarships, please visit Award Search.

• Teaching and Research Assistant Positions

  Most students who are accepted into the program are eligible to apply for paid assistant roles during their time in the program. 

  An assistantship is a paid appointment for graduate students who have been selected to engage in part-time teaching or research work while they pursue an advanced degree. The primary goal of an assistantship is to assist students in strengthening and successfully completing their academic program. At USask assistantships are classified into three categories: Teaching Assistant, Research Assistant, and Student Assistant.

  A graduate teaching assistant is a qualified graduate student who helps a professor conduct lab or study groups, grade papers or prepare lectures. 

  A graduate student employed for a defined period, on an hourly basis, to perform duties assigned by a faculty member that contribute to a faculty member’s research program and that are not required as part of the student’s academic program.

Ready to Study With Us?

If you would like more information on the Master of Science in Management, please contact us:

Graduate Programs Office
Edwards School of Business
University of Saskatchewan
25 Campus Drive
Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada
S7N 5A7

Call Us 306-966-1656 Email Us Download Brochure Apply Now