I wanted to provide some info on Indigenous specific programs at the graduate level. I have only really come across two currently: University of Victoria, and Wilfred Laurier University. If I am missing some, please let me know.
I do not know what is up with the First Nations University these days. Their website often has missing or vague info, and from what I gathered off the University of Regina website for the MSW program; (affiliated with FNU) which has one stream of Aboriginal specialization, the program is being 'postponed until further notice'.
Here is the info for Laurier and Uvic grad programs. For more info, please click the links to be directed to the University websites.
University of Victoria
MSW Indigenous specialization
Program Info
The School of Social
Work has recognized the need to have a specialized program of studies leading
to the Master of Social Work degree for social workers working in Indigenous
social settings. Social workers working for and with Indigenous organizations
work in a fundamentally different historical, cultural and administrative
environment to those working for non-Indigenous settings. The Indigenous
specialization is designed to provide social workers working in Indigenous
communities with the opportunity to develop their knowledge and skills within
this context.
The MSW Indigenous
specialization program has one intake for the May session (Summer Term May to
August) of every even Calendar year. The program is offered through a
combination of two summer institutes and web-based delivery of instruction.
Students within the specialization will begin within the summer session by
taking SOCW 521 and SOCW 523.
Admissions
criteria
The MSW Indigenous
specialization requires a BSW degree with a B+ (6.0) average is a minimum
requirement for admission to the program. The admissions selection process is
competitive. Not all students who meet the minimum requirements will be
admitted.
All candidates must
have the equivalent of at least two years of full-time post-baccalaureate
professional experience in an Indigenous social service setting. The
distinctive feature of this specialized program is the requirement that this
practice must be with an Indigenous social service setting. This stream has one
intake for the May session of every even Calendar year.
Application forms
are on the application information page. Candidates are required to provide an
employer's reference, two academic references, all post-secondary education
transcripts, a personal statement and a current CV as part of the application.
Completed applications and supporting documents must be submitted to Graduate
Admissions and Records on or prior to the deadline date for consideration by
the School and faculty.
Deadline to apply: December 1 – For May start date
Delivery
method
The MSW Indigenous
specialization is offered through a combination of summer institute, one institute
each summer for two summers, with the rest of the program delivered through
web-based distance education mode of delivery. Students within the
specialization will begin within the summer session by taking SOCW 521 and SOCW
523. The one week on-campus institute offered at the beginning of the first
term of study provides students with the opportunity to visit the UVic campus
and to meet face-to-face with faculty, staff and students, and to begin two
SOCW courses. Students are required to come to campus for a final visit near
the completion of their MSW program for their oral defense (thesis or project).
The MSW Indigenous
specialization program is offered as a full-time graduate program delivered
through web-based distance education.
Wilfred Laurier University
MSW Aboriginal Field of Study
Program
Info
The first Master of
Social Work program in Canada rooted in a wholistic Indigenous world view and
contemporary social work practice. The goal is to develop social work
practitioners who demonstrate an understanding of and respect for the history,
traditions and culture of the Indigenous peoples of Canada. This unique program
includes the use of Indigenous elders, a traditional circle process, and
Indigenous ceremonies.
This field will be
available only to applicants with a BSW; for this reason it is termed an
Advanced Standing Program. Students in the new field will develop an
understanding of the Aboriginal Wholistic Healing approach and the application
of this knowledge within diverse and generalist practice contexts. This
includes practices with individuals and groups, as well as in contexts where
community work is undertaken and in policy and research arenas. This sequence
of courses will enable students to develop an understanding of the interrelated
and intergenerational impacts of Canadian policies with respect to Aboriginal
peoples and the effects of colonization. Colonization has impacts on
individuals, families, communities, on policies regarding Aboriginal peoples,
on their culture and identity, on their capacity to engage in the Canadian
free-market economy, and on their capacity to live within their cultural
traditions within Canadian society.
Each element of
practice and intervention with Aboriginal populations is influenced by this
history and value system. Engaging the consequences of this dynamic and
creating a more empowering type of reality for Aboriginal peoples requires
social workers to fully comprehend this body of knowledge. Courses have been
sequenced to guide students in developing a critical analysis of Aboriginal
experiences and to develop practice skills that will help undo some of this
legacy.
The program will
commence with a Cultural Camp where they will be fully immersed in Aboriginal
wholistic healing practices. The Cultural Camp will be followed by courses that
outline the history of colonial policies and the history of the importance of
the community to Aboriginal populations, enabling students to further immerse
themselves in knowledge of Aboriginal worldviews and experiences. Courses will
encourage students to examine their own wholistic nature and how this impacts
on their own inherent capacity to engage other people’s lives while
facilitating a healing journey. The practicum will be a key component in
practicing what it takes to facilitate a healing journey.
The Circle process,
which will be the primary pedagogical tool, will achieve several goals in
addition to the transmission of knowledge. The Circle is a ceremony and an
approach to decision-making, to consensus building, to healing and sharing of
life. As students experience the Circle day-after-day they will be learning a
worldview, a healing approach, a relationship building process, and an
embodiment of the most powerful traditional Aboriginal teachings, which is “we
are all one with all of the elements of Creation”.
Program
Requirements
Students in the
three-term full-time study program take their courses within the Aboriginal
program course offerings. One of these courses, SK507 (Diversity,
Marginalization and Oppression), will be the same as in the mainstream program.
The AFS Part-time
program requirements are identical to the full-time advanced standing option;
however students complete the program over six terms (two years).
Admissions
Requirements
To be eligible for this advanced standing
program, applicants must hold a Bachelor of Social Work degree from an
accredited program in a university of recognized standing.
Academic background must include a
half-credit course in research methodology.
Students in the Aboriginal Field of Study do not require statistics.
Applicants must have at least a B (73%)
standing in the final academic year of their BSW degree (equivalent of 10
half-year courses). For students completing their final year of undergraduate
study, eligibility is determined on the basis of the last completed academic
year at the time of application.
Evidence of paid and/or voluntary
experience in human service organizations, awareness of contemporary social
issues and social work values, demonstrated ability to communicate effectively,
and motivation for a career as a professional social worker is assessed on the
basis of application material.
Although this program is open to students
of all cultural backgrounds, candidates for the Aboriginal field of study must
also have some familiarity with the traditional wholistic healing approach
and/or have used it in their practice. This will be demonstrated through a
personal statement, references and an admissions interview.
Deadlines
MSW Aboriginal Field of Study, full-time: May 1,
2012
MSW Aboriginal Field
of Study, part-time (SGEI): May 1, 2012
