Are you interested in a full degree program?
Visit our undergraduate, graduate or distance programs websites for details.
Micro-credentials
Advance in your career with USask Micro-credentials. These quick, flexible programs are developed with you in mind, and are focused on skills that our local labour market needs.
Our programs offer a high-quality experience to help you boost your employability or invest in your professional development. These are not about memorization or passive participation, you will practice real-world skills endorsed by your industry and receive coaching, support, and targeted feedback.
Once we validate that you’ve obtained the specific skill/competency, you will walk away with an official university-level digital credential that you can share on your resume, on LinkedIn, or with employers directly.
Key Features of USask Micro-credentials
- Practical learning and feedback: You will practice skills in a real-world context and receive and implement feedback from experts to achieve competence.
- Made for professionals: focused on skills that will help you advance or pivot in your career path.
- Short and focused: dynamic and flexible programs that typically last 4-6 weeks for the average learner and are designed to fit into your schedule.
To learn more about micro-credentials at USask, contact micro.credentials@usask.ca
How much do micro-credentials cost?
Micro-credential fees vary based on factors such as how long it will take the average learner to complete and the sort of assessment a learner will need to complete to demonstrate skill.
Are micro-credentials delivered on campus?
Most courses will be delivered online asynchronously. Some programs may have an on-campus component or an online synchronous session.
How are micro-credentials different than a course?
Micro-credentials provide stand-alone value (like currency) as USask credentials in the same way as a certificate or a degree are “credentials,” but micro-credentials are short and narrowly focused, similar to our courses.
Do micro-credentials have admission requirements?
Most micro-credentials are open to all learners and you can register and pay directly, rather than going through our typical admissions process. Some programs will have recommended experience ex.) experience coding in python or C++, or a professional license or registration number ex.) must be licensed to practice Dentistry in Canada.
Micro-credential offerings
College of Nursing
Management of Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) in Adults: Clinical Update
Informed by the 2023 Canadian Network for Mood and Anxiety Treatments (CANMAT) guidelines, this micro-credential equips learners to assess/diagnose, collaborate with the client and other members of the healthcare team to develop an individualized evidence informed treatment plan, and monitor treatment response/outcomes for individuals living with uncomplicated and complex MDD. Topics include a review of MDD pathophysiology; trauma-informed assessment/diagnosis; measurement-based care; safety; optimizing nonpharmacologic and pharmacotherapy treatment; and the importance of both symptomatic and functional remission. Pre- and post-tests, case studies, and feedback from facilitators and peers provide opportunities for practice and authentic assessment in real-world contexts.
School of Public Health
Municipal Leadership in Addressing Substance Use Harms
This micro-credential is offered asynchronously online and fosters understanding of the policy options and mechanisms available to municipal leadership for addressing substance use harms. Completing this micro-credential will provide increased skills in municipal leaders' current role and introduce opportunities for municipal leadership to address substance use aside from municipal policing practices.
College of Agriculture
Both of our Sustainable Irrigation Micro-credentials are available as continuing education courses followed by an optional, highly practical assessment that leads to the micro-credential.
To learn more visit Sustainable Irrigation.
Sustainable Irrigation - Water Management
This micro-credential provides opportunity for the learner to develop the practical design skills required for calculating water conveyance requirements in supply and drainage projects, system analysis to identify opportunities to improve water use efficiency and supply management, and wholistic water management for sustainable integrated irrigation and drainage.
Sustainable Irrigation – Irrigation Agronomy
This micro-credential provides opportunity for the learner to develop the practical skills required for farm level management to adjust agronomic packages and practices to optimize benefits of irrigated cropping systems and data-driven application of irrigation to ensure water is applied at the right time, in the right place and at the right amount for maximum sustainable yields.
College of Arts and Science
Effective Leadership in Arts Administration
This micro-credential will equip learners with the introductory skills to learn about the financial, artistic, and relational leadership required of successful arts organizations. Specifically, the information in this course will provide the skills to people who are involved in arts organizations to improve their understanding of the operational function of the Artistic staff. It will also be beneficial to anyone interested in a staff position in an artistic organization, Executive Directors of arts organizations, administrators in arts organizations, business students, fine arts students, board members in not-for-profit arts organizations.
We anticipate opening registration in spring 2025.
College of Law
Family Justice 1: Conflict Engagement, Conflict Resolution, and Communication
This micro-credential will support learners in acquiring and refining conflict engagement, conflict resolution, and communication skills to support family law and justice. Participants will learn to identify family dynamics and relationships that impact legal proceedings. They will learn to recognize their own conflict engagement styles and be able to identify these styles in others. Learners will practice communication strategies with each other, taking part in simulated challenging conversations and receiving constructive feedback from peers.
Family Justice 2: Dispute Resolution, Mediation, and Evaluation of Additional Family Law Contexts
This micro-credential will build upon the skills attained in Family Justice 1 and provide learners with skills in dispute resolution, mediation, and evaluation of additional family contexts. Participants will participate in mediation simulations and collaborative law simulations, enabling them to develop skills in these process modules. Learners will also use and evaluate different screening tools for family violence.
We anticipate opening registration in winter 2025.
Professional development and accreditation
Agricultural
In partnership with industry groups and government agencies, the College of Agriculture and Bioresources offers a number of certificates, programs, and individual classes to those who want to grow their career.
Business
Offered by the Edwards School of Business, we offer training in key business areas including leadership, governance, business acumen, and process & project management.
Health sciences
Each of our Health Sciences colleges offer programs and workshops for professionals to obtain continuing education credits and keep abreast of developments in their field.
Law and public policy
Engage in the debates and policy discussions that will shape our public institutions. Our colleges bring together experts from across Canada and around the world.
Humanities and Social Sciences
Embrace lifelong learning and invest in your personal and professional development with our programs.
Opportunities for all ages and abilities to keep learning.
Personal interests
Art
Explore your creativity and develop skills in drawing, painting, sculpture, photography, glass, jewelry making, fiber art, graphic design, and more. Gain confidence as you develop your portfolio. Classes are taught by acclaimed professional artists.
Gardening
Make your yard beautiful and your garden healthy. Programs are offered throughout the year for gardening enthusiasts of all levels. Take classes for personal interest or work toward certification.
Languages
The University of Saskatchewan Language Centre offers English language classes for all levels to improve your English or provide English proficiency to start academic programs. Learn French, Spanish, Portuguese, Italian, German, Japanese or Cree.
Fitness
Fitness classes, adult swimming lessons, CPR and First-aid classes, personal trainers, or take out a membership to use our fit centre.
Seniors
Saskatoon Seniors for Continued Learning (SSCL), in collaboration with the College of Arts & Science, offers non-degree courses to people aged 55 and better.
Activities that that provide children a learning, creative and fun environment.
Children's opportunities
Kids camps
Make new friends and get plenty of exercise in our hands-on, creative learning environments. Camps are offered during summers with some camps also being available during February and Easter school breaks.
Teachers and their K–12 students
In-school workshops, on and off-campus guided field trips, and educational events are offered by many colleges and organizations on campus.
Kids activities
From art, swimming and climbing walls, USask provides hands-on learning and fun activities for children of all ages.
Coming to our campus
If the class you're attending is on our Saskatoon campus, you may be interested in: