Arctic and Subarctic Futures

Why Arctic and Subarctic Futures @ Memorial?

The Labrador Campus of Memorial University (Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador) was officially established in January 2022, building on the 42-year presence in the region. The Labrador Campus is situated on the homelands of the Innu and Inuit and, as such, has a special obligation to the Indigenous Peoples of the region and to working in partnership on Indigenous-driven and Indigenous-led research and education initiatives.

The Labrador Campus is home to the School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies (SASS). SASS works in partnership with Northern and Indigenous governing organizations and communities to provide accessible, place-based, Northern-focused, and Indigenous-led educational and research opportunities, guided by priorities for education, research, and socio-cultural wellbeing of the diverse peoples of Labrador and throughout the North. SASS is governed by an Academic Council which has, for the first time at Memorial University, voting representatives from the Nunatsiavut Government, Innu Nation, and NunatuKavut Community Council, ensuring Indigenous needs, priorities, knowledge, languages, and cultures guide our programming and our campus.

The Arctic and Subarctic Futures graduate programs at the Labrador Campus are interdisciplinary, flexible, and modular, and offer diverse pathways at the Master's, PhD, and diploma levels (full-time and part-time). Each of these pathways provides students with the opportunities to pursue graduate learning that emphasizes land-based learning, Indigenous pedagogies and research methods, and focuses on the needs and priorities of the North. Our faculty cover a diverse range of Northern-focused research topics, including (for example): Indigenous pedagogies and methodologies; cultural resources management; archaeology; education; governance and self-determination; climate change; Indigenous health and wellbeing; language and cultural reclamation; food security; co-management; and natural resources management.

Studying at the Labrador Campus in Happy Valley-Goose Bay, Labrador, provides the rare and unique opportunity to pursue graduate education and research immersed in a stunning Northern location, studying at a Northern-led and Indigenous-focused campus, connecting with and learning from Innu and Inuit lands and cultures, and working closely with an interdisciplinary group of faculty, researchers, Indigenous leaders, Elders, communities, and organizations. This program begins in the spring semester (each May), to allow for an exploration of academic, cultural, and personal learning across all seasons in Labrador.

All research conducted through the Arctic and Subarctic Futures program must directly respond to and address Northern and Indigenous-led research priorities and work in partnership with Northern and Indigenous government, organizations, communities, and/or leaders. As such, this program makes a strong contribution to understanding and addressing the most pressing needs and priorities of the North, and to training a network of learners and leaders who will contribute to Northern social, cultural, and economic growth, development, and prosperity and support healthy and flourishing futures.

Part-time and full-time options are available. While normally an undergraduate degree is required for entrance to graduate studies, consideration of prior learning, professional background, and lived and cultural experiences will be considered for acceptance.

Graduates from this program will be well-trained to pursue diverse career paths, particularly in Northern locations and for Northern-focused and Northern-led organizations, including in government (Indigenous, municipal, provincial, territorial, federal), academia, business and industry, and the not-for-profit sectors.

Description of Programs

• MASF (Course) - The Master's in Arctic and Subarctic Futures (MASF) (Coursework) normally involves the completion of six courses and a major project and takes up to two years of full-time study.
  
  
• MASF (Thesis) " The Master's in Arctic and Subarctic Futures (MASF) (thesis) normally involves the completion of four courses and a thesis based on Northern-focused needs and priorities and takes two years of full-time study.
  
  
• PhD " The PhD program normally involves courses, a qualifying examination, and a thesis based on Northern-focused needs and priorities. It is normally completed in four years of full-time study. If a student has come through the Master's options in Arctic and Subarctic Futures, all courses will be waived unless the student did not complete SASS 6003: Developing Research Partnerships in Arctic & Subarctic Studies.
  
  
• Graduate Diploma " The graduate diploma normally requires the completion of four courses and is completed in one year.

Contact a Faculty Supervisor

Graduate applicants interested in research-based programs are strongly encouraged to connect with a faculty supervisor at the time of application. Visit the School of Arctic and Subarctic Studies website for a list of faculty members, their research interests, and contact information.

The School of Graduate Studies offers advice on how to search for and contact potential supervisors. Need more help? Try attending one of our webinars and information sessions for prospective graduate students.

• MASF (course work): Bachelor’s degree (minimum second class) in a relevant area of study OR some combination of educational, personal, professional, and cultural experience aligned with the program and proposed area for the major project.
  
  
• MASF (thesis): Bachelor’s degree (minimum second class) in a relevant area of study OR some combination of educational, personal, professional, and cultural experience aligned with the program and proposed area for the major project.
  
  
• PhD: Master’s degree in a relevant area of study and an excellent academic record OR 12 months in a Master’s program and demonstration of exceptional ability to pursue research at the doctoral level OR Bachelor’s degree with honours (or equivalent) and 5 years of related full-time professional experience OR some combination of educational, personal, professional, and cultural experience aligned with the program and proposed research area (with permission).

• The application must be fully and accurately completed. Please note the online application only supports the English language.
• Ensure your full legal name (including previous last name if applicable) is listed in the correct order, as it appears on your passport or other government-issued ID. Please ensure your date of birth is entered accurately in the format listed.
• Under “Personal Information” and “Canadian Immigration Status”, select "Student Visa" if your citizenship is not Canadian and you require a study permit to legally study in Canada. Select "Permanent Resident" if your citizenship is not Canadian and you have immigrated to Canada.
• Please carefully review the definitions of full-time and part-time status before selecting this under “Student Status”. Graduate student status is not determined by the number of courses one registers for.
• If you have previously applied to or enrolled in Memorial University, please ensure you enter your MUN student number under “Program Information”. You can find this in Self-Service (if you were previously a student) or on a decision letter emailed to you (if you previously applied). This will ensure your application is processed quickly and accurately.
• Please ensure you choose the right graduate program under “Program Information”. This normally cannot be changed after you submit your application online.
• Please note the correct route (e.g., thesis, course, internship) for your program of interest under “Program Information”. Refer to the Graduate Programs and Routes document for details. Incorrect routes may lead to delays in the admission process. You can only be considered for a route available for your graduate program of interest.
• If you are applying for a research program (e.g., one that requires a thesis), under “Program Information” please note the names of up to two faculty members you may be interested in working with. Please visit our website for more information on how to find potential supervisors.
• If you are applying for a research program (e.g., one that requires a thesis), please note the research area or focus you are interested in for your graduate thesis (or instrument for Master of Music applicants).
• Under “Program Information” and “Self-declared Average”, please enter in number form your overall average from your most recent undergraduate (bachelor’s) program as it appears on your university transcript (e.g., 80%, 3.0, 16, etc.). In the following field, please select the country in which your most recent undergraduate (bachelor’s) program was completed.
• Ensure you provide names and email addresses for all referees. Please ensure you contact your referees before applying to confirm their availability and willingness to write a reference letter on your behalf. Please also ensure the email address you enter is correct and one actively used by your referee.
• Ensure that the “Statement of Interest” section is properly completed, as most academic units place considerable emphasis on this section. You’ll find a video tutorial on this at the bottom of this page.
• Please complete the “Special Circumstances” section if there are any exceptional circumstances that may have had an impact on your past academic records.