Universities Partner to Launch Innovative Master’s Program in Chemical Risk Assessment
Markus Brinkmann and Karsten Liber, University of Saskatchewan, and Hans Sanderson and Pedro Carvalho, Aarhus University
The University of Saskatchewan (USask) has introduced a globally unique graduate program aimed at strengthening professional pathways in chemical risk assessment—an area central to environmental decision-making and closely aligned with international certification efforts supported by SETAC. Offered through USask’s Toxicology Centre in partnership with Aarhus University (AU) in Denmark, the Master of Chemical Risk Assessment (MRA) is the first graduate program to focus exclusively on chemical risk assessment. The program equips professionals with the skills needed to evaluate and manage chemical risks to human and environmental health, while also aligning with competency areas recognized by the International Board of Environmental Risk Assessors (IBERA), a certification program supported by SETAC.
Chemical risk assessment is a cornerstone of modern environmental management, influencing decisions on industrial site remediation, chemical regulation, and environmental reviews for development projects. Yet, until now, formal graduate-level training in this area has most often been limited to individual courses. “It’s one of the most common tasks environmental scientists and toxicologists encounter,” notes Karsten Liber, Executive Director of the School of Environment and Sustainability at USask. “And yet, there have been almost no graduate-level program options for formal instruction in this area.”
The MRA program is structured as a two-year, fully online course-based master’s degree, tailored for early- and mid-career professionals as well as university students in environmental science, toxicology, regulatory affairs and related fields. Its flexible design allows students to balance full-time work with graduate studies. The curriculum is comprised of 12 graduate-level courses, organized into four phases: problem formulation and historical lessons, exposure and hazard characterization, approaches and regulatory systems, and risk characterization and future directions. Learners gain expertise in topics such as toxicology, ecotoxicology, exposure modeling, probabilistic risk assessment, international regulatory frameworks, etc. Real-world case studies, simulations and collaborative projects ensure practical, applied learning.
A hallmark of the program is its global perspective. Faculty from USask and AU, along with guest instructors from government and industry, provide insight into both North American and European regulatory systems. This international collaboration prepares graduates to work across jurisdictions and supports professional pathways aligned with international certification programs, including those offered by IBERA.
Recognizing the importance of accessibility, USask offers bursaries for international students to encourage global participation and partially offset higher international tuition fees. Financial assistance is awarded annually based on academic potential and financial need, helping to ensure that talented professionals worldwide can benefit from this specialized training.
The inaugural cohort began in September 2024 and will graduate in spring 2026, with students representing a range of sectors, including environmental consulting, health and safety, and education. Applications are now open for the Fall 2026 intake.
By combining rigorous academic content with practical skills and a global outlook, the Master of Chemical Risk Assessment program supports the growing demand for qualified risk assessors and complements professional certification pathways such as SETAC-supported IBERA. The program is setting a new standard for education in environmental and human health risk assessment. For more information, please visit the program website.
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