Master of Social Work (Field: Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency)

The Indigenous Trauma and Resiliency field integrates theory and research drawn from social work and Indigenous knowledge for application in the delivery of services and interventions for Indigenous populations. There is an emphasis on the First Nations, Métis, and Inuit peoples of Canada and other Indigenous groups. The curriculum is offered through online and intensive classroom formats.

Initial admission inquiries should be made directly to the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work. Applicants holding the minimum admission requirements are not guaranteed admission. All admission decisions are final.

This field is offered only as a two-year, full-time program.

Minimum Admission Requirements

• Applicants are admitted under the General Regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applicants must also satisfy the Factor-Inwentash Faculty of Social Work's additional admission requirements stated below.

• Applicants with an appropriate bachelor's degree or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree with a minimum average equivalent to at least a University of Toronto mid-B in the final year of full-time study from a recognized university can be admitted to this field.

• All applicants must have completed 3.0 full-course equivalents (FCEs) in social science courses, including 0.5 FCE in research methodology. A mid-B is strongly recommended in the research methodology course.

• Three years of experience (voluntary or paid) in the social services or related field and knowledge of critical social issues. Suitability for professional practice in social work will also be considered.

• Applicants whose primary language is not English and who graduated from a university where the language of instruction and examination was not English must demonstrate proficiency in English. See General Regulations section 4.3 for requirements.

• Applicants may be asked to complete an admissions interview in person or virtually as part of the application process.

Program Requirements

• Students must complete 7.5 FCEs as follows:

  • Year 1: seven half courses (3.5 FCEs)

  • Year 2:

    • six half courses (3.0 FCEs) and

    • a 450-hour summer practicum (1.0 FCE).

• Students entering the program with BA or BASc courses must complete an additional 1.0 FCE (two half courses SWK4102H and SWK4516H [summer practicum]) in Year 1.

• Students are expected to submit a Vulnerable Sector Verification by June 1 prior to the course registration. It is strongly recommended that students begin this process early.

• The MSW thesis option provides hands-on research experience. The thesis is an independent piece of research intended to enable students to develop and apply research skills within the context of social work practice and to write a graduate thesis of publishable quality. Note: the thesis option is available to a limited number of students — maximum three in any given year — whose proposed research must be approved by a review panel and by the Associate Dean, Research.

• Students in the thesis option who have a minimum of two years' prior full-time social work experience are eligible to apply to take an additional 1.0 elective FCE in place of the Year 2 practicum. Workplace supervision must have occurred with an MSW supervisor; requests for substitution must be reviewed and approved by the Faculty Assessment Committee.

• Students who choose the thesis option may require at least one additional academic session to complete the program.

• Students in the thesis option must successfully complete a total of 8.5 FCEs, including core MSW coursework (4.0 FCEs), required field coursework (2.0 FCEs), practica (1.5 FCEs), and a thesis (1.0 FCE).

Year 1 Courses

Year 2 Courses

Program Length

6 sessions full-time (typical registration sequence: F/W/S/F/W/S)

Time Limit

3 years full-time