COURSE CURRICULUM

The MSW Foundation program is a full-time, on-campus first-year program designed to prepare non-BSW graduates for advanced study in social work. Students complete a total of 16.5 units in the Foundation year before progressing to 15 units in the MSW Advanced program to complete the degree. The curriculum provides a strong grounding in critical, anti-oppressive, and Indigenous-informed approaches to social work practice. Core courses include a foundation practicum that offers supervised hands-on experience in a social work setting, along with academic coursework that explores anti-racist practice, the relationship between social work, the state, and citizenship, and the historical development of the profession. Students also study research foundations, social justice in relation to law, and Indigenous social work foundations and policy, ensuring a comprehensive understanding of both theory and practice. In addition, students complete 1.5 units of elective coursework, which allows some flexibility to explore related areas of interest. The program emphasizes critical reflection and the ability to analyze social work through diverse perspectives, particularly Indigenous, anti-racist, and justice-oriented frameworks. Elective guidelines permit limited inclusion of one 400-level undergraduate course with approval, provided it is relevant and not previously used for credit. Overall, the program builds the essential academic and practical foundation required for advanced MSW study.