School of Environment and Sustainability - USask SENS

What School of Environment and Sustainability - USask SENS does

The School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) is an academic unit within the University of Saskatchewan, established in 2007 and headquartered at Kirk Hall on the USask campus in Saskatoon, Treaty 6 Territory. SENS operates with approximately 13 staff members (Executive Director Karsten Liber leads with an Executive Officer and program/research/comms/finance team) and serves graduate students, working professionals, Indigenous communities, and government/industry partners through degree programs and applied research.

SENS delivers a portfolio of graduate programs including the Master of Sustainability (Energy Security and Regenerative Sustainability tracks), Master of Water Security, MES and PhD in Environment and Sustainability, five graduate certificates, an undergraduate certificate, and youth eco-camps. Research capabilities span ecotoxicology (including 6PPD-quinone tire toxicity work), hydrology, wetland science, renewable energy systems for northern communities, and wastewater-based disease surveillance that delivered 7-10 day leading indicators for COVID-19 across multiple municipalities and First Nations communities. International programs include TRANSECTS (UNESCO biosphere reserves, 2024 international prize winner) and MESPOM Erasmus Mundus exchange.

SENS generates funding through three streams: tuition and fees administered via USask central financial systems, research grants secured from federal agencies (NSERC, CFI, NFRF, Canada Research Chairs, Global Affairs Canada), and philanthropic donations including a $250,000 Suncor Energy Foundation gift. Programs are distributed through USask central admissions (with deadlines in April-May 2026), online/hybrid delivery for certificates, and direct partnerships with Northern/Indigenous communities for energy security programming. Strategic partners include Meadow Lake Tribal Council, City of Saskatoon, Global Water Futures, Global Institute for Water Security, and the MESPOM Consortium.

Name

School of Environment and Sustainability - USask SENS

Legal name

School of Environment and Sustainability, University of Saskatchewan

Website

https://sens.usask.ca

Company type

Public

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

USask SENS is an academic unit within the University of Saskatchewan offering graduate degrees, certificates, and applied research in environmental sustainability, water security, and energy security for First Nations communities.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Higher Education Sustainability Programs

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYEDAIAGAB

Environmental Conservation & Sustainability Volunteering

Education/International Education & Study Abroad/International Service Learning, Volunteering & Gap Year Programs

Keywords

• Sustainability graduate programs
• Environmental science education
• Water security research
• Ecotoxicology research
• Higher education sustainability

Headquarters

HQ city

Saskatoon

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Fees: Revenue generated through student tuition for graduate degree programs (Master of Sustainability, Master of Water Security, MES, PhD) and certificate programs. Fees are administered through the University of Saskatchewan's central financial system.
2. Research Grants and Funding: SENS faculty and students secure research funding from various sources including federal agencies (NSERC, Global Affairs Canada, Canada Foundation for Innovation), provincial government, and industry partners for sustainability and environmental research projects.
3. Donations and Philanthropy: The SENS Donate page accepts contributions to support SENS programs, student scholarships, and research initiatives. The 'Be What the World Needs' campaign raised historic amounts for USask.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

The School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) is an academic unit within the University of Saskatchewan that delivers graduate degree programs (Master of Sustainability with Energy Security and Regenerative Sustainability tracks, Master of Water Security, MES and PhD in Environment and Sustainability), graduate and undergraduate certificate programs in sustainability, and youth environmental education through SENS Summer Camps. The school conducts sustainability, water security, and ecotoxicology research, partnering with government, industry, and Indigenous communities.

Product overview

The School of Environment and Sustainability (SENS) at the University of Saskatchewan offers a comprehensive portfolio of graduate and undergraduate academic programs focused on environmental sustainability. The core offerings include professional master's degrees (Master of Sustainability with Energy Security and Regenerative Sustainability tracks, Master of Water Security) and thesis-based MES/PhD programs in Environment and Sustainability. SENS also provides graduate and undergraduate certificate programs, youth eco-camps, and participates in international programs like TRANSECTS and MESPOM. SENS Summer Camps provides environmental education for children, while the TRANSECTS program offers fully-funded international learning labs in UNESCO biosphere reserves. The school focuses on problem-oriented and engaged scholarship addressing pressing planetary sustainability issues.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Master of Sustainability (Energy Security) Professional master's degree program focused on energy security, preparing students to address energy sustainability challenges with particular emphasis on northern and Indigenous communities. For prospective graduate students.
• Master of Sustainability (Regenerative Sustainability) Professional master's degree program focused on regenerative sustainability principles and practices. For prospective graduate students.
• Master of Water Security Professional master's degree program designed to train students in water security concepts and practices. For prospective graduate students.
• Environment and Sustainability (MES/PhD) Thesis-based Masters and PhD programs in Environment and Sustainability. For prospective graduate students pursuing advanced research degrees.
• Graduate Certificates in Sustainability Five graduate certificate programs providing specialized sustainability education with online delivery options for both international and domestic applicants. For working professionals seeking credentials.
• Undergraduate Certificate in Sustainability Certificate program for undergraduate students to gain sustainability knowledge and credentials alongside their major degree. For current USask undergraduates.
• SENS Summer Camps (Kids Camp) Eco Camps for kids providing environmental education and sustainability awareness for younger audiences. For children and families.
• TRANSECTS Program Innovative sustainable education and research training program with fully-funded international learning labs in UNESCO biosphere reserves. Winner of the 2024 International Prize for Sustainability Education.
• MESPOM Exchange Erasmus Mundus joint master's in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management (MESPOM) with study opportunities at SENS as a partner institution. SENS faculty work with MESPOM students on research projects in environmental toxicology and water quality.

Quantifiable outcome

• Ranked 58th globally among 1,400 universities in Times Higher Education Impact Rankings (2022)
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Meadow Lake Tribal CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerMLTC partnered with SENS for an Indigenous-led area-based conservation initiative supporting nine First Nations in environmental stewardship of traditional lands and waters. This represents SENS's commitment to community-engaged scholarship and Indigenous-led sustainability research.
• City of SaskatooncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOngoing partnership through Research Junction for wastewater and stormwater research. City of Saskatoon wastewater treatment plant collaborated on COVID-19 monitoring project. The partnership has been recognized with the Smart 50 Award.
• MESPOM ConsortiumcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSask is a partner institution in the Erasmus Mundus MESPOM (Master degree course in Environmental Sciences, Policy and Management). SENS faculty work with MESPOM students on research projects in environmental toxicology and water quality.
• University of BonnminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUSask strengthened research partnerships with University of Bonn in Germany as part of ongoing commitment to develop joint research projects between institutions.
• Global Water FuturescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGlobal Water Futures program supports SENS research and provides job opportunities for students and graduates in water security research across Canada.
• Global Institute for Water SecuritycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGIWS at USask collaborated on COVID-19 wastewater dashboard and supports SENS research in water security, providing infrastructure and expertise for water-related research initiatives.
• Saskatoon Tribal CouncilcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for Indigenous community wastewater monitoring as part of COVID-19 surveillance project, working with five First Nations communities through tribal councils.
• Environment and Climate Change CanadacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated with USask research team on wetland ecosystem services valuation tool. Provided support for research on wetland conservation and agricultural land use decisions.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Royal Roads University: Canadian university known for sustainability and environmental management graduate programs with strengths in applied and professional master's degrees. Comparable in offering sustainability credentials for working professionals.
• Wageningen University & Research: Dutch university globally recognized for environmental sciences, sustainability, and water research. Comparable in international leadership in water and sustainability research and graduate education.
• York University - Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change: Canadian faculty offering undergraduate and graduate programs in environmental studies, sustainability, and urban change. Comparable in mission to integrate sustainability education with social justice and community engagement.
• University of Toronto - School of the Environment: Canadian peer university offering graduate programs in environmental science, sustainability, and climate. Operates within a major Canadian research university similar to SENS at USask, with comparable research funding and graduate program structure.
• Yale School of the Environment: Premier graduate school for environmental and sustainability education offering MEM, MF, and PhD programs with strengths in water, climate, and policy. Directly comparable to SENS in mission and graduate program structure.
• McMaster University - Office of Sustainability: Canadian peer university with sustainability research and graduate program offerings. Comparable in operating as a sustainability-focused unit within a major Canadian research university.
• Stanford Doerr School of Sustainability: Newest dedicated sustainability school at a major research university offering graduate programs in sustainability science, engineering, and policy. Closely parallels SENS's interdisciplinary research and graduate degree model.
• University of British Columbia - Sustainability Hub: Canadian peer institution with sustainability education, research, and partnerships across multiple faculties. Comparable in integrating sustainability education with Indigenous partnerships and community-engaged research.
• University of Waterloo - Sustainability Office and Programs: Canadian peer university with sustainability graduate programs and research initiatives. Comparable in offering interdisciplinary sustainability education within a major Canadian research university.
• Arizona State University - School of Sustainability: First-of-its-kind dedicated school of sustainability in North America offering undergraduate and graduate programs focused on sustainability science, policy, and practice. Closest analog to SENS as a freestanding school offering multiple sustainability-focused degrees.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com//playlist?list=PLQptLdMDrox0dor11UECGhi8R8WkBy3pP
• Facebookfacebook.com/usasksenssa
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/school/school-of-environment-and-sustainability

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles13 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about School of Environment and Sustainability - USask SENS