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Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey Program

The Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey Bachelor of Social Work Program is an accredited social work program that provides First Nation individuals with an opportunity to receive social work education within a flexible and culturally relevant framework. 


The program is directed toward First Nation peoples in New Brunswick, Quebec, and the Maritime Provinces who wish to become social workers in their communities.

The Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey Bachelor of Social Work Program has an intake every three years. The next intake will be in September 2026 with the application opening October 1, 2025. 

Distinctive Features

  • There is recognition that First Nation peoples have been historically disadvantaged in educational and other systems.
  • The program design respects that First Nation students are typically employed and have family commitments. In recognition of these commitments, courses are offered one week per month (September to April) over a two-year period and 2 weeks in the months of May and June.  Students will be in Field Placement in the 3rd year. 
  • There is recognition of First Nation systems of knowledge, practice and ways of learning.
  • There is a culturally-relevant curriculum that reflects First Nation’s holistic world view.
  • The program is overseen by a committee of members from St. Thomas University, First Nations Child and Family Agencies, and student representatives from New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have completed a minimum of 60 credit hours in liberal arts courses as a prerequisite for admission. A minimum grade point average of 2.0 (which may be based on the most recent 15 credit hours) is required for admission to the MWBSW program. 
 

Application Process

Stage 1

The application deadline for the post-degree MWBSW program is March 31. The application, including supporting documents, must be received by the Admissions Office on or before the March 31 deadline. The required application and documents include the following: 

  1. a completed application for admission found here, including the $55.00 non-refundable application fee ($40.00 for New Brunswick applicants)*
  2. personal statement on which you outline your reason(s) for applying to a professional program of social work studies, and identify your professional/learning goals and any relevant vocational plans. You are encouraged to refer to personal, volunteer, professional and/or employment experiences that have influenced your understanding of social work and your decision to apply. The Selection Committee advises applicants to include in their personal statements what they have learned from their experiences that has relevance for social work. You are also welcome to provide any other information that you believe will be relevant to the Social Work Department and the University in selecting candidates for the social work program.
  3. detailed résumé on your education, work, and volunteer history.
  4. two reference forms (from diverse sources such as academic, professional, personal) Reference forms for distribution to your referees can be found here: Bachelor of Social Work Reference Form. Please refer your references to the MWBSW Guidelines for Referees and advise them of the March 31 deadline for the program. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that the completed reference forms are received by the Admissions Office from the referees, by the application deadline.
  5. official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended. Please note, if you have a STU transcript, you will not need to submit it, as our Admissions Office has access to it.

 *Please submit an online application for admission here. Click "Sign Up" and follow the instructions to sign-in to the online application portal. Once you are signed in, click "Start a New Application," followed by "Start Application" under the Post-Degree Program section. Select the Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey Bachelor of Social Work program, your anticipated enrolment status (Part-time) and the Fall (Sept - Apr) 2023 term. You will be prompted to upload your documents (personal statement, personal current résumé), and pay the application fee at the end of the application. Reference forms are to be emailed to the Admissions office by the referee.

Please also refer to the Application checklist on your applicant portal (once your application for admission has been submitted) to make sure you haven't forgotten anything. As your documents are received by the Admissions Office, they will be marked as received on your checklist.


Stage 2

As part of the application process, all eligible candidates will be contacted to attend a group interview with two social work faculty members and complete a written social issue analysis.

All applicants will receive a letter indicating the status of their application.

For further information, please contact:

Judy Levi
Chair of the MWBSW Steering Committee
judy@tobiquecfsa.com

Personal Statement Instructions

Your personal statement should outline your reason(s) for applying to a professional program of social work studies, and identify your professional/learning goals and any relevant vocational plans. You are encouraged to refer to personal, volunteer, professional and/or employment experiences that have influenced your understanding of social work and your decision to apply. The Selection Committee advises applicants to include in their personal statements what they have learned from their experiences that has relevance for social work. You are also welcome to provide any other information that you believe will be relevant to the Social Work Department and the University in selecting candidates for the social work program.

 

Your personal statement should be approximately 1000 - 1500 words (3 to 4 pages), typed and double spaced in a standard 12 point font.

 

Résumé Instructions

Your résumé should include up-to-date information on your education, work, and volunteer history. It should be approximately 1 to 2 pages, typed and in a standard 12 point font.

 

Guidelines for Referees

Thank you for agreeing to provide a Reference Form for an applicant to St. Thomas University’s Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqey Bachelor of Social Work degree program. Your comments will be considered carefully by our admissions committee. Professional suitability is weighted heavily in our selection process.

You can be of help to the applicant by sharing observations on his/her professional and academic suitability. Because of the nature of the program and the profession, it is critical that persons with suitable personal qualities be selected. Your comments on the candidate’s qualities that will affect their performance as a social worker are of particular interest to us.

The application deadline is March 31.  If these guidelines are not followed, your reference may not be considered. You are asked to please email your completed reference form to the Admissions Office (admissions@stu.ca). Thank you again for your assistance. Please be assured that your comments will be treated confidentially.


For further information, please contact the Admissions Office at (506) 452-0532 or email admissions@stu.ca.