Master-level program soon available in capital

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A new program scheduled to begin in Edmonton in September 2007 will provide students in northern and rural areas the opportunity to earn a clinical masters of social work (MSW) degree.

The University of Calgary is expanding its graduate program beyond the Calgary campus to its Edmonton division, said Ron Levin, project manager.

In Calgary, the MSW program has operated since 1967.

"Along with a doctoral component, it is one of the primary MSW programs in Canada and we're hoping that we can offer one here in Edmonton that's equally rigorous and that has the same level of quality, said Levin. "And we're planning to fine tune it to make it totally relevant to the community to which it is aimed.

Recent funding from the provincial government through the Access Fund, a program intended to increase student access to Alberta?s post-secondary system, will allow enrolment for those who couldn't attend the Calgary-based masters-level program.

A Learning Circles program in Edmonton currently offers a bachelor of social work (BSW) degree, which focuses on Aboriginal issues, a somewhat different program from the mainstream BSW. Many graduates of this Learning Circles program would like to go on to further education, explained Diane Goodall, division administrator.

?The students are approaching issues from a unique perspective and the MSW will allow them to build on the knowledge that they've gained. As the program grows, it's hoped to increase the focus on rural and Aboriginal concerns, which greatly enrich the learning for the people living in those communities, she said.

Masters-level graduates move into more specialized areas of knowledge through their research studies. They are able to pursue specific areas more intensively than they did in their first level of training, explained Levin. A large number of Aboriginal workers are needed to meet the needs of the community, as many Aboriginal people live in rural and northern areas of the province.

Graduates of the program will help meet the human resource needs for masters-level social workers in health and human services, he continued.

This need is partly caused by attrition, where we're losing people in leadership and senior positions who are retiring. But in addition, the program will be the next logical step for the 1,500 BSW graduates who have completed their studies at the Edmonton campus over the years. They are living and working in northern Alberta and may be wanting to move on to masters-level studies, which were only offered in Calgary up to this time.

The Edmonton-based program is unique in that it offers two routes, one for BSW graduates and another for undergraduates with degrees in other disciplines who want to go on to the MSW program, Goodall said.

An online offering, which supports the learning goals of leadership, will begin in September 2006. "It's primarily addressing the people who want administrative and policy content. They may not want the classroom experience, he said. The one that begins in September of 2007 is a clinical social work program with a blended delivery format. The students are likely working people so there will be an online component which they can complete while staying in their home communities and attending their jobs. A compressed classroom opportunity where they can take a whole course in one week will also be offered."

Videoconferencing will be used, allowing for some useful discussions and dialogue with other students without having to travel to the city. Research done in the formative stages of planning the course showed a preference for a mix of classroom and online learning opportunities.

Workers in direct practice in areas of health, mental health and addictions are ideal candidates for the courses. Applications will be taken this fall, with the deadline being Jan. 31, 2007, said Goodall.

All the information and downloadable application forms are on the Web site at www.fsw.ucalgary.ca or can be obtaie calling 1-877-497-1171 or 492-1171 in Edmonton.

Completion of the MSW program enables people to move into leadership positions in their communities, which are really needed, especially to the north of Edmonton where there is a dearth of social workers, said Levin. "Students will be in the forefront of filling this need and will be able to mentor others and provide us with people who can serve as field instructors. It's a winning situation for everyone."