As Canada grapples with record levels of homelessness, food insecurity, and public health workforce shortages, the University of Saskatchewan (USask) is stepping up with a bold new initiative: a graduate program designed to educate nurses as frontline leaders in community health.
The Master of Public Health Nursing (MPHN) program is a first-of-its-kind collaboration between the USask College of Nursing and School of Public Health. The two-year online program equips nurses with advanced skills to address urgent public health challenges from poverty reduction to disease prevention.
"This program prepares nurses to lead in prevention, education, and response," said College of Nursing Associate Professor and Graduate Chair Dr. Wanda Martin (PhD). "Public health nursing skills are essential for improving community health, especially as we face rising food costs and record levels of homelessness and poverty."
Students in the MPHN program will gain expertise as both practitioners and researchers through a combination of coursework and a thesis. The program is designed to be flexible and accessible students do not need to reside in Saskatoon, and courses are delivered online with some live seminars.
"The Master of Public Health Nursing program is an appealing option as a clearer path toward practice and leadership roles in public health," said prospective student Morgan Christensen.
"I'm drawn to its potential to deepen my understanding of population health and enhance my ability to contribute to effective, equitable health services."
Applications are now open. The first cohort begins September 2026.
For more information, please visit Master of Public Health Nursing - College of Nursing | University of Saskatchewan.
For more information
105 Administration Place
Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Canada S7N 5A2
www.usask.ca
