University of Manitoba—Faculty of Social Work Micro-Credential Program Development
The Faculty of Social Work (FSW) at the University of Manitoba recognized the growing demand for short, practice-focused education opportunities to complement traditional social work degrees. With micro-credentials gaining traction across Canada, the Faculty needed to determine whether and how to position itself as a leader in this emerging field. The challenge lay in balancing the opportunities for innovation, revenue generation, and community engagement against real concerns about capacity, resource availability, and alignment with the Faculty’s core mission.
Bison Research & Development (formerly Jared Star Consulting) was engaged to lead the formative research phase of program development. We designed and implemented a multi-method consultation process that included staff surveys, community surveys, and an environmental scan of social work micro-credential and professional development programs across Canada. Our analysis identified both enthusiasm and caution within the Faculty, highlighted market gaps at the BSW-level, and surfaced strong community demand for flexible, skill-based learning tied to professional practice. We also provided the Faculty with a SWOT analysis and a set of strategic options for moving forward, ranging from professional development programming to a full-scale micro-credential initiative.
Impact:
The project delivered the Faculty of Social Work a comprehensive evidence base to guide its decision-making. By mapping staff readiness, student and practitioner demand, and market opportunities, our work positioned the Faculty to make informed choices about program development and resource allocation. The process also strengthened relationships with key stakeholders, including the Manitoba College of Social Workers, and set the stage for the Faculty to act as a provincial and potentially national leader in micro-credential programming. Ultimately, this formative research provided the clarity and direction needed to move confidently into the next phase of program development.
