The Faculty of Social Work offers two degree programs, a Master of Social Work and a Master of Aboriginal Social Work.

Staff/Master of Social Work Program

Dean: D. Schantz, Ph.D.
Graduate Program Coordinator: J. White (Saskatoon), Ph.D.; D. Broad, Ph.D.

Professors: D. Broad, Ph.D.; J. Cruikshank, Ph.D.; D. Durst, Ph.D.; B. Jeffery, Ph.D.; A. Watkinson, Ph.D.

Associate Professors: G. Hunter, Ph.D.; J. Mulvale, Ph.D.; M. Sanchez, Ph.D.; D. Schantz, Ph.D.; J. White, Ph.D.

Assistant Professors: K. Donovan, M.S.W.; D. Halabuza, Ph.D.; B. Krieg, Ph.D.; H.M. Montgomery, Ph.D. in progress; N. Novik, Ph.D.; R. Sinclair, Ph.D.

Staff/Master of Aboriginal Social Work Program

Director and Graduate Program Coordinator: Y.Howse, M.S.W., M.Ed.

Associate Professor: J.Sanderson, M.C.Ed.

Assistant Professor: J. Albert, Ph.D.; J. Anderson, M.S.W.; S.Acoose, Ph.D.; D. Halabuza, Ph.D.; Y.Howse, M.Ed.; B. Krieg, Ph.D.

Master of Social Work Program Description

The Faculty of Social Work is committed to a graduate educational program that will enhance the quality of individual and community well being. Our concern is with the development of advanced social work techniques and modes of social intervention, and with broader aspects and issues of service delivery, social policy analysis, and social welfare research. Two program concentrations are offered: social policy/social justice orientation and direct social work practice.

Social work policy implies an applied, proactive approach that is oriented towards providing informed, empirical, and substantive choices or improvements in human services programs, education, policy, and practice. Key elements include the analysis of the operation of human services, study of social policies and their consequences, critical examination of social change, and the recognition of the values central to human services professionals.

Direct social work practice is a combination of course work and a required practicum in the field. Students are encouraged to advance their knowledge-base and skills in direct social work practice with individuals, families, groups, communities, or organizations.

Program Objective

The M.S.W. program is designed to enable students to undertake a variety of responsibilities in management, policy formulation, program consultation, planning, research roles, and advanced direct social work practice within human services. Fundamental to the program is an emphasis on integrative analysis as a means of understanding the manner in which social research, direct social work practice, social policy development, and social administration are interrelated.

Candidates may be enrolled on either a full time or part time basis. Students must maintain candidacy. No more than two semesters may elapse before a student is required to register. Students have a maximum of five years to complete the program.

Admission

Candidates for the degree of Master of Social Work must hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree. Previous courses in social policy, social work practice, and research methods are required. In addition to professional experience, other related qualifications and the applicant's stated areas of social research will be considered. Preference will be given to applicants with experience in the broad field of human services. Completed applications for admission must be submitted to FGSR prior to February 15 of each year. Students are not permitted to register until the semester for which they are accepted. The resources of the Faculty of Social Work permit the admission of only a small number of students each year.

Program

The M.S.W. program provides an option of completing the requirements with a thesis, or a practicum. The practicum option contains two streams:  the field practicum and the research practicum. Program requirements are slightly different depending on which option is chosen.  Thesis students must complete five courses and a thesis.  Field practicum students must complete six courses and a practicum. Research practicum students must complete six courses and a project undertaken in the field.  All three groups will         participate in a graduate seminar during the time they are working on the thesis or practicum component of their program. Course requirements include the following:  two research courses (qualitative and quantitative research); one course which focuses on issues of social justice in Canadian society or a social policy analysis course; and one (two for field practicum students) social work practice course(s). Thesis and field practicum students will have the option to take one elective while research practicum students will be able to take two electives.

The student's committee determines when a project report is at the final draft stage.  In preparing interim and final drafts students should follow consistently the guidelines of an approved writing manual (e.g. APA Manual, Chicago Style, Turabian) with respect to matters of general format and style for essays, papers and reports. The student distributes one copy of the final draft to each member of the committee and one additional copy to the Master of Social Work Chairperson.

Students are responsible for completing their report in a timely manner and submitting copies to the Academic Supervisor and academic committee member.  A copy may be submitted to the Professional Associate as well.  Once the academic members of the committee have evaluated the Report and any changes or revisions have been made the Certification of Project Work is signed.  A revised unbound copy of the Report with the signed statements of certification is submitted to the MSW Chair who reviews the copy and forwards the relevant forms (Non thesis Completion Form (available on the FGSR web site) and forwards it along with a copy of the title page to FGSR.  This form is used to process students for convocation and to provide details for the Convocation Program. 

Upon approval and acceptance by the Faculty of Graduate Studies the student provides a copy of the final Project Report to the MSW Chair to be placed in the Resource Centre of the Social Policy Research Unit.

The following presents the program requirements for each program option (course offerings may alternate year to year):

Summary of Program Requirements

M.S.W. Thesis Option

M.S.W. Practicum Option

a) M.S.W. Research Practicum

b) M.S.W. Field Practicum

MSW Course Descriptions

SW 803 End of Life Issues (3)
This course deals with impacts of end of life issues on individuals, families, social workers and health practitioners. Cultural, societal and personal perspectives of death and dying will be explored, along with roles of social workers and health professionals in practice, research, education and policy in end of life care.
Note: Crosslisted with GERO 803

SW 810 Social Policy Analysis (3)
This course will examine the historical basis and contemporary trends in social policy in Western welfare states, and consider the effectiveness of policy outcomes in light of social work's goals of promoting social justice and improving social welfare. Primary attention will be given to the Canadian experience, with international comparisons.

SW 811 Family and Child Policies and Programs (3)
Historical, theoretical, comparative and current literature will be used to gain a comprehensive overview of the development of policies relevant to families and to children. A critical analysis of family and child policies developed within the liberal welfare state will be incorporated into this course. The development of alternative policies and programs will be considered.

SW 812 Theory and Practice in Human Service Organizations (3)
This course is designed to provide M.S.W. students with the conceptual and technical skills to conduct appropriate interventions in human service organizations. Topics include: the role of social work in organizational intervention, organizational theories, ethics, organizational development as well as critical review of management roles and practices.

SW 816 Aging, Society and Human Service Work (3)
This course considers social work practice, research, education and policy with seniors in the community and in institutions. The focus of the course will be the role of the social work perspective in each of these professional activities with seniors.
Note: Crosslisted with GERO 816

SW 820 Feminist Theory and Analysis (3)
This course will provide a feminist analysis of the historic and current issues pertaining to women's lives and to critique patriarchal institutions and structures of society. A specific emphasis will be on feminist therapy as it pertains to practice and the contributions of feminist research.

SW 821AA-ZZ Selected Topics in Social Policy (3)
These courses may be offered by the Faculty of Social Work. Such courses will be arranged as needed when the student's research interests are determined.

SW 831 Work, Welfare and Social Justice (3)
Most people's economic security hinges on attachment to the labour market. Certain groups, particuarly women, the disabled and people of colour, often confront significant employment inequities. This course will help students understand the relationships between work and employment issues, and explore possibilites for promoting social justice through policy and practice.

SW 835 Current Aboriginal Issues in Social Work Practice (3)
This course will critically examine current counselling models through the lens of colonization, decolonization and employing cross-cultural, structural and anti-oppressive approaches to social work practice with specific attention given to the historical legacies of colonization and residential school in examining practice issues of power, cultural competence and sensitivity.

SW 840AA-ZZ Selected Topics in Direct Social Work Practice (3)
Courses which emphasize direct social work practice with individuals, groups, families and communities will be offered as needed.

SW 850AA-ZZ Special Topics in Social Justice (3)
Courses will be offered that focus on issues of social oppression, on human rights, and on social justice within Canadian and international contexts.

SW 851 Social Justice, Human Rights and Social Work (3)
The course will focus on the evolution of human rights as tools for promoting social justice. Some of the areas to be explored include: inequalities as they relate to gender, racialized minorities, children, individuals with special needs, those living in poverty. The course will give careful consideration to the impact of human rights laws on the job of the social worker.

SW 860AA-ZZ Special Topics in Social Work (3)
Course offerings in a variety of topics of relevance to social work. Generally these courses will be offered as electives.

SW 861 Ethical Issues, Ideologies and Practice (3)
This course calls attention to the moral essence of social work intervention and to the fundamental beliefs, values and ethical predicaments inherent in practice, whether on the front-line, in administration, or at the policy level. The course deals with selected current issues, controversies or dilemmas in the field.

SW 872 Community Organizing & Social Work Practice (3)
This course explores various theories, principles, models and strategies of community organizing, and their importance for social work. Emphasis is placed on issues of power and the reallocation of power within society.

SW 873 Social Work Practice with Couples and Groups (3)
This course is designed as a graduate level study of social work practice with couples and groups. The course will be theory and practice oriented and will equip the student with the basic knowledge and skill necessary to work with these two diverse populations at a graduate level.

SW 876 Perspectives and Models of Social Work for Direct Practice (3)
Major SW practice perspectives/models are subject to a critical comparative analysis with respect to the epistemological background and the basic values and premises about people. Applicability of the major practice perspectives/models to SW practice is examined, with a concentrated focus on relevant approaches for differing situations of practice.

SW 880 Quantitative Methods in Social Work Research (3)
This course will provide an overview of design and methodology options in quantitative research with an emphasis on the application to social welfare policy and social work practice issues. In addition to methodological issues, the course will review the appropriate use and interpretation of statistical techniques in social work research.
Prerequisite: An undergraduate course in research methods (such as SW 451)

SW 881 Qualitative and Applied Research Methods (3)
This course is designed to develop a thorough knowledge and range of skills in the research methodologies of qualitative, applied, and participatory research and action research for use in social work practice situations. The course will review the foundations of qualitative research and their relevance to social work practice-based and knowledge building research.

SW 890AA-ZZ Directed Readings (3)
Directed individual reading courses on topics approved by the Supervisory Committee.

SW 900 M.S.W. Practicum Report (3)**
This consists of a written report and analysis of the practicum experience. Offered only for students admitted to the M.S.W. program before Fall 2000.
Prerequisite: SW 904 and admission to the M.S.W. program

SW 901 Thesis (Variable credit 1-15)
This is the student's M.S.W. thesis. Students participate in a seminar as part of the thesis requirements.

SW 904 M.S.W. Practicum (Variable credit 1-9)**
Students will be involved in experimental field-based learning activities for the purpose of pursuing and developing practice and analysis skills related to significant areas of human services. Reflection-in-action and participatory research as a contribution to the acquiring of skills and concepts based on theory emerging out of practice and practice informing theory will be emphasized. Offered only for students admitted to the M.S.W. program before Fall 2000.

SW 910 Project (Variable 3-12)
Registration for the project will follow the same pattern and conditions as the registration for a thesis. Projects are conducted in a field setting under the supervision of a social work professional associate.

SW 920 Practicum (Variable 3-12)
Students register in the practicum which will take place over one or two semesters in a social work practice setting under the supervision of an experienced social work field supervisor. Students work under the direction of a faculty member over the duration of the practicum.
Prerequisite: Completion of all required coursework for M.S.W. unless approved by M.S.W. chair.

** SW 900 and SW 904 are offered only to students who were admitted previous to Fall 2000. Program changes in Spring 2000 eliminated the need for these courses for students who are subsequently admitted.

Master Of Aboriginal Social Work Program Description

Special Note: This program only accepts new students in alternating years (2009, 2011, 2013, etc.)

The School of Indian Social Work at First nations University of Canada in partnership with the Faculties of Social Work and Graduate Studies and Research offers graduate work leading to a special case cohort MASW degree. The graduate program of studies aims to prepare students as clinical practitioners, especially skilled in Aboriginal approaches to therapy and especially sensitive to issues facing Aboriginal communities. As clinicians, they would be capable of functioning in a broad spectrum of human services activity and in a wide variety of social work and social welfare settings. Fundamental to the program is an understanding of traditional Aboriginal spirituality, culture, and healing, and especially how these traditions can function effectively in contemporary settings. There will be a focus on the abuses of residential schools, including intergenerational effects, as one lens through which generic clinical skills, relevant to serving all populations, are developed. The program encourages the development of critical analytical framework with which to understand the effects of colonization on Aboriginal people. The program has a commitment to respecting the principles and practices of Aboriginal pedagogy, and to building its teaching and learning experiences on a foundation which respects traditional Aboriginal knowledge and the collective wisdom of the Elders.

The program of studies leads to a Master of Aboriginal Social Work (MASW). Candidates will enroll on a full-time basis. Application packages are available from First Nations University or on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research web site and must be submitted to FGSR prior to February 15 of each alternating year (2009, 2011, 2013, and so on).

There are three program options: an Internship Option, a Project Option, and a Thesis Option. All of the program options will include clinical internships, with the Internship Option having the highest number of Internship hours.

Summary of Program Requirements

MASW Internship Option

MASW Project Option

MASW Thesis Option

MASW Course Descriptions

All courses require admission to the M.S.W. or M.A.S.W. programs as prerequisite.

ASW 800 Cultural Camp (3)
This course provides an opportunity to learn traditional Aboriginal spirituality, values, philosophy, and ceremonies. At its core is a weeklong experiential cultural immersion program guided by elders, taking place in a local Aboriginal community, coupled with seminars to prepare for and debrief the experience.

ASW 810 The Residential School Experience and Its Legacy of Abuse (3)
An examination of the nature, history and structure of the residential school system, emphasizing the experience of residential school students and the abuses they suffered, including intergenerational impacts of this legacy of abuse. Psychological, cultural and political perspectives will be employed, focusing on generic issues of colonization and liberation

ASW 822 Traditional Aboriginal Counseling (3)
An exploration of the principles and practices of traditional Aboriginal counseling with the dual aim of having students develop effective ways of collaborating with the healing efforts of traditional counselors in Aboriginal communities, and enhance the cultural relevance and sensitivity of their own counselling approaches.

ASW 830 Individual Counseling (3)
An individual counseling course examining Aboriginal and Western approaches to counseling with regard to the legacy of residential schooling. Emphasis is placed on effective collaboration and integration of approaches, making Western approaches more sensitive to Aboriginal health and healing, and developing deeper understanding of Aboriginal methods of therapy.

ASW 840AA-ZZ Selected Topics (3)
Courses which emphasize direct social work practice with Aboriginal individuals, groups, families and communities will be offered as needed

ASW 850 Group, Family, and Community Counseling (3)
A practice course examining Aboriginal and Western approaches to group, family, and community counseling for Aboriginal people, particularly emphasizing residential school impacts. With emphasis on effective integration of perspectives on issues of health and healing, this course facilitates a deeper understanding of Aboriginal counseling methods.

ASW 860 Community-based Participatory Research (3)
This course will focus on community-based research as a methodology which can be most relevant to the issues and needs of Aboriginal communities. Emphasis on both qualitative and quantitative methods including statistical analysis, all within the context of collaborating sensitively with (Aboriginal) communities on community projects.

ASW 900 Internship Research Report (3)
This course consists of a written report and analysis of the internship experience, including the students’ areas of learning and the students’ understanding of their boundaries of competence and qualification and their abilities to build an effective network of qualified service providers.

ASW 901 Thesis Research (3-12)
This is the students’ MASW thesis

ASW 904 Internship (3-15)
This course is an experimental field-based agency placement. The student will develop clinical and counseling skills under professional supervision. The integration of theory and practice of the needs of the Aboriginal community will be paramount considerations in the internship experiences.

ASW 910 Project (3-9)
This is the students' MASW Project