Master of Social Work Indigenous Specialization (MSWIS)

University of Victoria

The Master of Social Work Indigenous Specialization (MSWI) is designed for practitioners working for and with Indigenous organizations.

We recognize that these practitioners work in an environment that has fundamental historical, cultural and administrative differences to those working in non-Indigenous settings. In our MSWI program, we will prompt you to develop your knowledge and skills within this context.

The program begins with an introduction on-campus and the rest of the program is completed via distance education. You can choose to write a thesis or complete an advanced practicum placement of 450 hours.

Outcomes

Students in this program will:

examine the challenges, contributions, constraints and contexts for critical social work practice
apply critical social work practice that is rooted in a vision of social justice
gain accountable and oppositional education, research, and practice in the advancement of decolonization, Indigenous-focused, anti-racist, feminist and queer (among other) social justice struggles
uphold the values of equity, diversity and inclusion in their living, learning and work environments
emphasize social justice, Indigenous and anti-oppressive approaches to working with communities, families and individuals