International Centre for Northern Governance & Development
CONTACT
Grad Chair: bonita.beatty@usask.ca
Program Officer: info.icngd@usask.ca
Phone: (306) 966-8433
International Centre for Northern Governance and DevelopmentUniversity of SaskatchewanKirk Hall – Room 231 117 Science Place Saskatoon SK CAN S7N 5C8
“I value the program because it provides distance to northern communities which will open so many doors; especially for individuals with families who cannot move to the city to further their education.”
Nathan Ray
MNGD (2010 Pilot Cohort), Resident of Sandy Bay, SK
“I’ve had a really positive experience with the MNGD so far – excellent instructors and coordinators. In particular, I’ve found the trips to northern regions useful in allowing me to make comparisons about northern issues in different parts of the world.”
Ilya Lipin
MNGD (2010 Pilot Cohort), International student from Syktyvkar, Russia
Northern Governance & Development
The Master of Northern Governance and Development (MNGD) was new to the University of Saskatchewan in 2010. It is the only program of its kind in North America, training its students for leadership positions in northern regions – particularly Northern Saskatchewan. The program was developed in response to a call by stakeholders for programming that prepared Northerners, or northern affairs enthusiasts, to lead the future development and governance of their regions
Boasting a state of the art videoconference centre, students can take the MNGD while remaining in their Northern Saskatchewan communities. Students connect to the classroom via videoconference at the appointed class times and submit their coursework via email. Occasional travel to the U of S is required for key elements of the program.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
The ideal candidate will have completed a four-year undergraduate degree in Political Science, Native Studies, Environmental Science, Business, or another similar field with a minimum GPA of 70% over the last 60 credit units. The applicant must also supply a statement of interest, TOEFL scores (where applicable), three letters of reference, and a resume. Relevant work experience will be taken into consideration. Applicants must have adequate training to pursue graduate level study in the field of northern governance and development.
APPLICATION DEADLINES
For a fall enrollment, applications are requested by April 30th of that calendar year. No more than a dozen students are admitted per year and not all available spaces are necessarily filled. The program gets underway in September.
FUNDING AND SCHOLARSHIPS
Tuition fees are in line with similar graduate programs at the U of S – $1,100 per term for domestic students and $1,650 per term for international students. Students who complete the program on schedule will need to register in four consecutive terms over 16 months.
The International Centre for Northern Governance and Development is pleased to offer funding scholarships of $16,000 per qualified student. This funding can help towards tuition costs, as well as cover living expenses during the period of study. Additional funding may be available for international applicants.
M.N.G.D. +
The Master of Northern Governance and Development (MNGD) is an interdisciplinary project-based program that is designed to be completed within six months of full time study. The program includes: coursework, a research project, an industry internship, and an international field school.
Students are required to take the following five courses: Strategic Communications for Northern Development (NORD 836.3), Northern Resource Economies and Policy (NORD 837.3), Aboriginal Self-Determination through Mitho-Pimachesowin or “Ability to Make a Good Living” (NS 810.3), Topics in Northern Governance (POLS 825.3), Policy, Planning and Evaluation in Northern Communities (POLS 828.3) OR Development Implementation at the Base: Monitoring and Evaluation (POLS 848.3). Students are also required to select one elective from a list of options (includes seven choices). In addition to the coursework, the program includes an internship and a research paper.
ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS
Sample Student Profile:
It is anticipated that over 80% of the students in each MNGD cohort will be indigenous, many of whom will hail from Northern Saskatchewan communities. The program also attracts international students from such places as Alaska, Russia, and Northern Scandinavia.
