Dr. Oleksandr Kondrashov’s BSW & MSW On/Off-the-Ground Cohort Models: Complete Overview
Revolutionary Social Work Education: Breaking Barriers, Building Capacity
Over two decades of teaching across Canada—from coast to coast to coast—Dr. Oleksandr Kondrashov has developed complete BSW and MSW program frameworks that transform social work education from exclusive residential programs into accessible, community-grounded cohort models. These student-driven, community-rooted programs embody the collaborative spirit that earned Dr. Kondrashov The King Charles Coronation Medal Award for Exceptional Service in Canada.
The Access Crisis in Social Work Education
Traditional social work programs create systemic barriers that determine who becomes a social worker:
Geographic Barriers
- Students in rural, remote, and Northern communities cannot relocate
- Indigenous students must leave land, language, and community
- Urban concentration of programs excludes entire regions
Financial Barriers
- Relocation costs (housing, moving, transportation) exclude working adults
- Full-time study incompatible with employment
- Lost income during studies creates insurmountable debt
Cultural Barriers
- Indigenous students face institutional environments disconnected from community
- Newcomers lose settlement support networks
- Racialized students experience cultural isolation at predominantly white institutions
Family Barriers
- Parents and caregivers cannot balance education with responsibilities
- Elder care responsibilities prevent program attendance
- Community obligations incompatible with residential study
Employment Barriers
- Working professionals cannot advance careers without leaving employment
- BSW practitioners lack pathways to MSW credentials
- Experienced practitioners excluded from graduate education
These barriers don’t just limit access—they fundamentally shape who becomes a social worker, perpetuating homogeneity in a profession meant to serve diverse communities.
The On/Off-the-Ground Solution
Dr. Kondrashov’s BSW and MSW cohort models remove barriers while maintaining educational excellence through:
Geographic Flexibility
- Students remain in their home communities
- Field placements occur locally, building community capacity
- Synchronous online options connect rural and urban students
- No relocation costs or displacement from support networks
Financial Accessibility
- Students continue employment while studying
- No housing or relocation expenses
- Reduced transportation costs with environmental benefits
- Local field placements enable income continuation
Cultural Responsiveness
- Indigenous students remain connected to land, language, community
- Newcomer students maintain settlement support
- Racialized students avoid cultural isolation
- Learning occurs within students’ cultural contexts
Family and Community Integration
- Parents and caregivers balance education with responsibilities
- Students contribute to community while learning
- Intergenerational learning enriched through local engagement
- Field placements strengthen community-university partnerships
Employment Compatibility
- Evening/weekend synchronous sessions accommodate work schedules
- Asynchronous components enable flexible learning
- Skills immediately applicable to current employment
- Career advancement without employment interruption
The Cohort Advantage
- Students progress through program together
- Shared challenges and mutual support
- Diverse geographic perspectives enrich learning
- Lasting professional networks across regions
- Faculty-student relationships develop over time
- Community Advisory Boards ensure practice relevance
BSW On/Off-the-Ground Cohort Model
Complete BSW Program Architecture
18 Course Frameworks | 60 Credit Hours | 7 Semesters
Program Structure:
- 13 core courses (36 credit hours)
- 2 field practicum courses (15 credit hours / 700+ hours)
- 3 elective slots (9 credit hours)
- 156 weekly module topics with Social GRACES integration
- Complete CASWE-ACFTS 2021 EPAS alignment
Five Integrated Learning Streams
1. Identity, Power, and Ethical Social Work Practice (4 courses)
- EPAS 7: Disrupting Power and Privilege
- EPAS 1: Dreaming Identity (Professional Identity Development)
- EPAS 2: Deconstructing Privileged Assumptions (Multilevel Practice)
- EPAS 10: Delivering Ethical Practice
2. Theory, Policy, and Systemic Change (4 courses)
- EPAS 9: Developing Ecological Justice
- EPAS 3: Designing Theory (Theoretical Foundations)
- EPAS 12: Delivering Change (Canadian Social Policy)
- EPAS 11: Discovering Inquiry (Research Methods)
3. Decolonization, Anti-Racism, and Culturally Humble Social Work (4 courses)
- EPAS 4: Decolonizing Practice (Challenging Colonial Constructions)
- EPAS 5: Decolonizing Care (Indigenous Communities)
- EPAS 6: Diverse Voices (Francophone and Language Communities)
- EPAS 8: Dismantling Racism
4. Practicum and Applied Learning (2 courses)
- EPAS 13: Field 1 Practicum (6 credit hours)
- EPAS 13: Field 2 Practicum (9 credit hours)
5. Electives and Independent Study (3 courses)
- Customizable based on student interest and institutional capacity
Why BSW Model Matters
For Students Previously Excluded:
- Indigenous students in remote communities accessing BSW training
- Working parents completing degrees while supporting families
- Rural practitioners obtaining credentials in home communities
- Mature students entering social work without displacement
For Communities:
- Local BSW social workers serving their own communities
- Reduced brain drain from rural/remote regions
- Field placements building community capacity
- Culturally grounded practitioners understanding local context
For Universities:
- Accreditation-ready curriculum reducing startup from 3-5 years to 12-18 months
- Proven delivery model serving diverse student populations
- Financial sustainability demonstrated ($305,550 balanced budget for 20 students)
- Community partnerships strengthening institutional reputation
BSW Development Background
20 Years of BSW Curriculum Refinement:
- Thompson Rivers University (75 credit hours, 25 courses, 463 students)
- Dalhousie University (102 credit hours, 34 courses, 1,355 students)
- University of Manitoba (423 credit hours, 141 courses, 3,732 students)
- Wilfrid Laurier University (18 credit hours, 6 courses, 129 students)
- University of Northern British Columbia (3 credit hours, 1 course, 13 students)
Student-Driven Development:
- Continuous refinement based on 5,717 students across diverse contexts
- Indigenous and racialized student consultation
- Inner City Social Work Program experience
- Aboriginal Social Work Program leadership
- Community Advisory Board pilot testing
MSW On/Off-the-Ground Cohort Model
Complete MSW Program Architecture
12 Course Frameworks | 36 Credit Hours | 3-6 Semesters
Program Structure:
- 8 core courses (24 credit hours)
- 2 practicum/thesis courses (6 credit hours / 450+ hours)
- 2 specialized/elective courses (6 credit hours)
- 96+ weekly module topics with integrated learning objectives
- Complete CASWE-ACFTS 2021 EPAS alignment
- Optional professional registration alignment (BCCSW, BCACC RCC)
Five Integrated Learning Streams
1. Advanced Foundations—Identity, Assessment, and Ethical Practice (2 courses)
- Developing Self: Personality Theories, Human Development, and Clinical Social Work Research
- Diagnosis and Assessment: Psychopathology and Critical-Social Work Practice
2. Psychotherapy and Professional Practice (2 courses)
- Designing Solutions: Clinical Psychotherapy and Critical Social Work Practice
- Defining Ethics: Professional Ethics and Social Change in Critical-Clinical Social Work Practice
3. Advanced Research, Policy and Systemic Inquiry (2 courses)
- Dismantling Oppression: Critical AOAP Counselling Theories and Macro Social Work Research
- Doing Justice: AOAP Social Policy for Diverse Populations
4. Practicum and Applied Learning / Thesis (2 courses)
- Delivering Results: Practicum / Thesis Seminar (Winter semester)
- Dreaming Impact: Practicum / Thesis Seminar (Summer semester)
5. Critical Practice Options—Relational Therapies or Specialized Electives (2 courses)
Option A (Therapy-Focused):
- Deepening Connections: Family Therapy, Theory, and Critical Clinical AOAP Social Work Practice
- Driving Change: Group Therapy, Theory, and Critical-Clinical AOAP Social Work Practice
Option B (Elective-Focused):
- Independent Study 1 / Elective 1
- Independent Study 2 / Elective 2
Why MSW Model Matters
Dual Pathway Flexibility:
- Therapy-Focused Route: For students pursuing therapeutic practice, mental health, counselling-oriented roles
- Elective-Focused Route: For students pursuing policy, community practice, administration, research, program development, education
- Flexibility supports diverse career goals within single cohort
- Optional professional registration alignment for those seeking specialized credentials
For Working Professionals:
- BSW practitioners accessing MSW while maintaining employment
- Experienced practitioners obtaining advanced credentials
- Career advancement without employment interruption
- Field placements in current workplaces (with appropriate structure)
For All Practice Settings:
- Applicable to child welfare, healthcare, education, community development, policy, research, justice
- Prepares advanced practitioners across micro, mezzo, macro contexts
- Cross-sector peer learning enriches understanding
- Supervision across diverse practice areas
For Communities:
- Advanced practitioners remain in/return to underserved regions
- Culturally grounded MSW social workers serving local communities
- Leadership development across all social work sectors
- Sustainable capacity building
MSW Development Background
20 Years of MSW Curriculum Refinement:
- Wilfrid Laurier University Online MSW—Social Work Research, Social Work with Individuals
- Dalhousie University Online MSW—Social Work Research, Social Policy, International Social Work, Community Social Change, Field Seminars
- University of Manitoba including Inner City Social Work Program, Aboriginal Social Work Program (AFP) Pre-MSW
- Field supervision across diverse settings: hospitals, child welfare, community organizations, policy offices, Indigenous communities, schools, justice programs, housing initiatives, mental health services
Student-Driven Development:
- Continuous refinement based on MSW students across diverse career pathways
- Field instructor collaboration across sectors
- Community Advisory Board pilot testing
- Integration of contemporary practice developments
Complete Implementation Infrastructure
Pedagogical Frameworks Included
Dr. Kondrashov’s “Glider” Effectiveness Model
- Quality teaching across delivery modes
- Student engagement strategies
- Learning outcome achievement
Universal Design Framework for Higher Education
- Accessibility for diverse learners
- Multiple means of engagement, representation, expression
- Barrier-free learning environments
Social GRACES Framework Integration
- Every course, every week
- Intersectional analysis across all practice contexts
- Anti-oppressive practice foundation
A+ Service Delivery Model
- 11 quality dimensions for program excellence
- Continuous improvement structures
- Student satisfaction and outcome tracking
Community Advisory Board Structures
- Local governance and accountability
- Practice relevance assurance
- Elder, Knowledge Keeper, practitioner engagement
Delivery Flexibility Specifications
Five Complete Delivery Models:
- On-the-ground (100% in-person) – Traditional classroom with cohort community
- Blended (percentage continuum) – Mix of in-person and online with flexibility
- High-tech cohort (in-person with remote access) – Synchronous classroom broadcast to remote students
- 100% online – Fully asynchronous and synchronous online with cohort structure
- Hybrid-flexible (HyFlex) – Students choose attendance mode each session
Each model includes:
- Resource requirements and specifications
- Technology infrastructure needs
- Instructor training requirements
- Student support adaptations
- Cost-benefit analysis
Financial Planning Tools
Zero-Sum Budget Models:
- BSW: $305,550 balanced budget for 20 students
- MSW: $282,100 balanced budget for 20 students
Comprehensive Financial Planning:
- Revenue projections (tuition, program fees, practicum fees)
- Expense breakdowns (faculty, support staff, infrastructure)
- Per-student cost analysis
- Instructor compensation guidelines
- Suggested tuition structures
- Break-even analysis and ROI projections
The Social GRACES Foundation
The Social GRACES framework provides theoretical foundation making these programs universally applicable and inherently anti-oppressive:
G – Gender, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Geography
R – Race, Religion, Residence, Receipt of Public Assistance
A – Age, Ability, Appearance, Ancestry, Affiliation, Aliment, Addiction
C – Class, Culture, Citizenship, Community, Creed, Caregiving, Criminalization
E – Ethnic Origin, Economy, Extended Family, Education, Employment, English
S – Strengths, Status, Sex, Siblings, Social Capital, Sexual Orientation, Social Media, Spirituality
Why Social GRACES Matters
BSW Example—EPAS 7 (Equity and Social Justice) Week 4:
- Topic: G’s of Social Welfare—Gender, Gender Identity, Gender Expression, Geography
- GRACES Application: Students analyze how transgender individuals in rural communities face compounded barriers to accessing services
MSW Example—Doing Justice Course:
- Topic: Social Policy and Canadians Living in Poverty
- GRACES Application: Students examine how class, race, immigration status, disability, geographic location intersect to create policy barriers
Every course, every week, students develop capacity to:
- Recognize how systems create differential access and outcomes
- Challenge their own assumptions and privileges
- Practice cultural humility rather than claiming competence
- Advocate for systemic change grounded in intersectional analysis
Who Should Purchase These Frameworks
Universities and Colleges
Planning New BSW/MSW Programs:
- Institutions seeking CASWE-ACFTS accreditation
- Schools expanding into new geographic regions
- Universities prioritizing access for underserved populations
- Institutions committed to decolonizing social work education
Transforming Existing Programs:
- Programs wanting to expand delivery modes and geographic reach
- Schools serving rural, remote, or Indigenous communities
- Institutions addressing enrollment equity gaps
- Programs updating curriculum for contemporary practice
Indigenous Institutions and Communities
Developing Social Work Education:
- First Nations universities seeking culturally grounded programs
- Tribal colleges wanting local social work training
- Indigenous communities building social service capacity
- Organizations prioritizing Indigenous sovereignty and land-based learning
International Institutions
Adapting North American Models:
- Universities developing social work education infrastructure
- Schools seeking evidence-informed curriculum frameworks
- Institutions prioritizing community-based education
- Programs committed to anti-oppressive social work education
Investment and Value Proposition
BSW Framework: $19,999 CAD
What You Receive:
- 18 complete course frameworks ($1,111 per course)
- 156 weekly module outlines with Social GRACES integration
- 5 delivery model specifications
- Complete CASWE-ACFTS EPAS alignment
- Financial sustainability model
- Community Advisory Board structures
- Universal Design for Learning integration
- 4,500 development hours saved
- 3-5 years reduced to 12-18 months implementation
Comparative Costs:
- External consultants: $180,000-$450,000 (Your investment: 4-11%)
- Internal development: $427,500-$517,500 (Your investment: 4-5%)
- Commercial curriculum: $144,000-$270,000 (Your investment: 7-14%)
MSW Framework: $19,999 CAD
What You Receive:
- 12 complete course frameworks ($1,667 per course)
- 96+ weekly module outlines with learning objectives
- 5 delivery model specifications
- Complete CASWE-ACFTS EPAS alignment
- Optional professional registration alignment
- Financial sustainability model
- Dual pathway design (therapy-focused and elective-focused)
- 4,200 development hours saved
- 4-6 years reduced to 18-24 months implementation
Comparative Costs:
- External consultants: $180,000-$360,000 (Your investment: 6-11%)
- Internal development: $516,000-$564,000 (Your investment: 4%)
- Commercial curriculum: $144,000-$240,000 (Your investment: 8-14%)
Return on Investment Examples
University Establishing New BSW Program
Investment: $64,999 (framework + customization + training)
Annual Return:
- Revenue: $305,100 (20 students)
- Break-even: 3-4 months
- 5-year impact: 100+ graduates serving communities
- Community value: Trained social workers in previously underserved regions
Existing Program Expanding to Underserved Region
Investment: $49,999 (BSW) or $59,999 (MSW)
Return:
- Additional cohort capacity: 15-20 students annually
- Diversified student demographics
- Strengthened regional partnerships
- Enhanced institutional reputation
- Reduced capital costs vs. building expansion
Indigenous Institution Developing Programs
Investment: $74,999 (BSW) or $89,999 (MSW) with cultural adaptation
Return:
- Decolonized social work education grounded in Indigenous knowledge
- Students remain connected to land, language, community
- Indigenous social workers serving Indigenous communities
- Community-controlled capacity building
- Estimated community value: $500,000-$1,000,000+ annually
Customization Services Available
Dr. Kondrashov Provides:
Institution-Specific Course Guides:
- Reading lists from your library collections
- Case studies reflecting your regional practice
- Assessment tools aligned to your outcomes
- Practice activities for your delivery mode
- LMS integration and technology support
Community Partnership Development:
- Community Advisory Board recruitment and training
- Field placement partnership agreements
- Indigenous community consultation protocols
- Student-community reciprocity frameworks
Faculty Development Support:
- Training in on/off-the-ground delivery
- Universal Design for Learning implementation
- Trauma-informed pedagogy workshops
- Anti-oppressive facilitation skills
- Technology integration coaching
Ongoing Implementation Support:
- Troubleshooting delivery challenges
- Student feedback integration
- Quality improvement processes
- Program evaluation frameworks
- Continuous curriculum updates
Implementation Timeline
Year 1: Foundation Building (12 months)
- Framework acquisition and institutional assessment
- Curriculum contextualization to your institution
- Infrastructure development and technology setup
- Faculty training and Community Advisory Board development
- Student recruitment for inaugural cohort
Year 2: Implementation (12-24 months)
- First cohort launch and delivery
- Continuous feedback and quality improvement
- Troubleshooting with ongoing support
- Second cohort recruitment
- Documentation for accreditation
Years 3-5: Maturation and Expansion
- Complete first cohort through graduation
- Track employment and community impact
- Expand to multiple cohorts if warranted
- Strengthen community partnerships
- Consider additional geographic regions
The Complete Value Proposition
For Students
- Access: Geographic, financial, cultural, family, employment barriers removed
- Community: Cohort learning with diverse peers
- Quality: Accreditation-standard education grounded in 20 years of refinement
- Flexibility: Multiple delivery modes accommodate diverse needs
- Employment: Career advancement without leaving current work
For Universities
- Speed: 12-24 month implementation vs. 3-6 year traditional development
- Cost: 2-14% of alternative development costs
- Quality: Proven curriculum refined across 5,717+ students
- Reputation: Enhanced standing for innovation, access, equity
- Partnerships: Strengthened community relationships through CAB structures
For Communities
- Capacity: Social workers trained in and for their own communities
- Culture: Practitioners with deep community connections and cultural knowledge
- Leadership: Pipeline for community organization leadership
- Sustainability: Reduced brain drain from underserved regions
- Transformation: Anti-oppressive, decolonized practice addressing community needs
For the Profession
- Diversity: More diverse workforce reflecting communities served
- Excellence: Sophisticated practice grounded in intersectional analysis
- Innovation: Contemporary approaches to education delivery
- Decolonization: Indigenous knowledge systems centered throughout
- Justice: Practitioners equipped to challenge oppressive systems
Dr. Kondrashov’s Commitment
When institutions commit to these frameworks:
✓ Continuous curriculum updates as practice evolves
✓ Customization to reflect local contexts and populations
✓ Connection with knowledge holders and practitioners
✓ Implementation support through consultation
✓ Integration of emerging issues and contemporary challenges
✓ Faculty development for diverse instructors
✓ Community partnership development guidance
✓ Accreditation documentation support
Proceeds support scholarships for students facing barriers:
- TRU Foundation Stand with Ukraine
- Love Care Share Scholarship Fund
The Legacy
Over 20 years:
- 624 credit hours taught across 71 unique courses
- 5,717 students from diverse backgrounds
- 6 universities (5 Canadian, 1 Ukrainian)
- Inner City Social Work Program experience
- Aboriginal Social Work Program leadership (DD)
- Indigenous community partnerships
- Online program delivery expertise
- Field supervision across all practice settings
These frameworks represent:
- Unwavering commitment to educational equity
- Student-driven curriculum development
- Community-grounded pedagogy
- Indigenous knowledge integration
- Anti-oppressive practice foundation
- Universal accessibility design
- Cultural safety and responsiveness
Contact for Framework Purchase and Partnership
Dr. Oleksandr (Sasha) Kondrashov
Social Work Educator and Curriculum Designer
📧 krasun@gmail.com
🌐 www.krasun.ca
For Inquiries About:
- Framework purchase and licensing
- Institutional customization services
- Implementation consultation and support
- Faculty training and development
- Community Advisory Board development
- Accreditation documentation support
- Field education infrastructure
These frameworks represent Dr. Kondrashov’s dedication to the belief that social work education must be as accessible, equitable, and community-centered as the practice it prepares students to undertake. The on/off-the-ground model doesn’t compromise quality for access—it enhances quality through access, creating diverse cohorts, strengthening community partnerships, and preparing practitioners who understand the communities they serve because they are from and remain in those communities.
Transform social work education. Remove barriers. Build capacity. Serve communities.
BSW https://krasun.ca/product/bsw-on-off-the-ground-cohort-model/
MSW https://krasun.ca/product/msw-on-off-the-ground-cohort-model/
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