Social Work
Dean: Dr. Michael Yellow Bird
Associate Dean(s): Dr. David Delay (Graduate Programs & Research)
Acting Director: Dr. David Delay
Campus Address/General Office: 521 Tier Building
Telephone: 204-474-6663
Fax: 204-474-7594
Email Address: mswik@umanitoba.ca
Website: umanitoba.ca/social-work/
Academic Staff: Please refer to the Social Work website for Faculty information.

Master of Social Work based in Indigenous Knowledges Program Information

The Master of Social Work degree based in Indigenous Knowledges (M.S.W.- I.K.) is an advanced degree built on an Indigenous foundation, and the B.S.W. degree. While the program focuses on preparing graduates to work in Indigenous organizations and/or with Indigenous peoples, and to confront the structural barriers Indigenous peoples face, it will also prepare graduates with skills transferable to a wider range of organizations and peoples. A range of positions within the human services are open to graduates, such as family therapists, case managers, group workers, community developers, policy analysts, and administrators. In addition, graduates may be active as scholars, politicians, senior civil servants, private consultants, and international development.

The objectives of the program are to support students to:

1. work from Indigenous perspectives;
2. understand the colonial history of events which have led to present circumstances;
3. understand social justice, anti-oppressive practices, anti-colonialism, and Indigenism;
4. explore Indigenous forms of helping and support(s) applicable to social work;
5. recover and support Indigenous values, practices, and structures;
6. empower Indigenous identities;
7. maintain a close connection with Indigenous communities and agencies, and
8. develop as advanced social work practitioners.

The foundational material of this program gives particular attention to knowledges, perspectives, values, and practices of Indigenous peoples that will support graduates to work from both Indigenous and critical social work theory perspectives. This material is relevant to Indigenous and non-Indigenous persons in their personal and professional development as social workers with advanced training. The degree is designated as Master of Social Work degree.

Considerable attention is given to issues of educational equity. Like the M.S.W. program, these matters are included within the M.S.W. based in Indigenous Knowledges program’s curriculum, and every effort is made to ensure that people from marginalized groups have access to the M.S.W. based in Indigenous Knowledges program. The purpose of this initiative is to achieve equity in professional education so that no person shall be denied educational opportunities to benefits for reasons unrelated to ability. In fulfillment of this goal the aim is to correct the conditions of disadvantage in professional education experienced by First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples in Canada, persons with disabilities, immigrants and refugees to Canada, LGBTTQ and persons who are members of a visible minority in Canada. Educational equity does not mean treating people in the same way. It requires overt measures and the accommodation of difference while maintaining a particular focus on the experiences and perspectives of Indigenous peoples.

Admission Information

Admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies

Application and Admission Procedures are found in the Academic Guide.

Admission requirements for Master’s students are found in the Master’s Degrees General Regulations section of the Guide.

M.S.W.-I.K. Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• Possession of a B.S.W. degree (by June 30th of the application year) from an accredited university or a four-year degree other than a B.S.W. degree from an accredited program which is recognized by the University of Manitoba.
• Participation in an admissions interview process
• Participation in a program orientation
• A well developed statement of intent
• Three letters of reference from academic, employment, and Indigenous community sources
• A minimum grade point average of 3.0 (B) is required in the last sixty credit hours of university study
• If courses have been taken subsequent to the degree as a Special Student and/or Occasional Student and/or in a subsequent degree or a Pre-Masters program, they will be calculated into the grade point average as part of the last 60 credit hours
• Applicants who self-identify as members of one or more of the Educational Equity priority groups, and who possess a grade point average between 2.5 and 2.99 will be reviewed for special consideration. Applicants with a grade point average below 2.5 will not be considered.

Application Information

Students should complete and submit their online application with supporting documentation by the date indicated on the M.S.W.-I.K. program of study page.

Degree Requirements

The total credit hours required for the program are 27 credits in the project based option plus the zero credit courses. The thesis option is 24 credit hours plus the zero credit courses. Students must successfully complete all courses in the program in order to graduate.

Students choose either the project-based option, which includes the completion of SWRK 7760 and SWRK 7790, and SWRK 7820, or the thesis option, which includes completion of SWRK 7760, and SWRK 7790. Students choosing the thesis option must register for GRAD 7000.

The program requires at least 12 months of full time study. Students who choose the thesis option are likely to require more time depending on the nature of their research. Students may take the M.S.W. based in Indigenous Knowledges program on a full time or part time basis.

Students have a limit of four years to complete the full time program and a limit of six years to complete the part time program. 

Note: The M.S.W.-I.K. program is not offered through distance delivery. The MSW-IK program will incorporate Blended Learning that includes one-week intensive courses, face-to-face interactions, and the use of Educational Technology.

Expected Time to Graduate: 2 years

Course Requirements

Registration Information

Students should familiarize themselves with the Faculty of Graduate Studies ‘GRAD’ courses applicable to their program. If you have questions about which GRAD course(s) to register in, please consult your home department/unit.

Students must meet with their faculty advisor to select and approve the courses before registering.

Regulations

Students must meet the requirements as outlined in both Supplementary Regulation and BFAR documents as approved by Senate.

Supplementary Regulations

Individual units may require specific requirements above and beyond those of the Faculty of Graduate Studies, and students should consult unit supplementary regulations for these specific regulations. 

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR)

Bona Fide Academic Requirements (BFAR) represent the core academic requirements a graduate student must acquire in order to gain, and demonstrate acquisition of, essential knowledge and skills.

All students must successfully complete:

• GRAD 7300 prior to applying to any ethics boards which are appropriate to the student’s research or within the student’s first year, whichever comes first; and
• GRAD 7500 within the first term of registration;

unless these courses have been completed previously, as per Mandatory Academic Integrity Course and Mandatory Research Integrity Online Course.

Students must also meet additional BFAR requirements that may be specified for their program.

General Regulations

All students must:

• maintain a minimum degree grade point average of 3.0 with no grade below C+,
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum course requirements, and
• meet the minimum and not exceed the maximum time requirements (in terms of time in program and lapse or expiration of credit of courses).

Academic Schedule

Dates applicable to Social Work

Orientation

Start and End Dates

Field Instruction

Dates applicable to Master of Social Work in Indigenous Knowledge

ORIENTATION

START AND END DATES

TERM BREAK

Courses