CRS and IDS Programs - Frequently Asked Questions

Current students will be able to complete their studies in the four-year CRS degree and the IDS degree in the next three to four years.

• The deadline to declare an IDS major or a four-year CRS major is June 30, 2023.
• The three-year program in CRS will continue to be offered.
• For the next three to four years MSC will continue to offer the credits needed to fulfill a minor in IDS.
• A minor is declared at the time of applying for graduation. Students hoping to minor in IDS should check with the MSC Academic Advisor well ahead of time in order to determine whether or not they will be able to complete the requirements.
• For CRS minors, you may declare a minor at the same time as you apply for graduation.
• MSC will continue to offer the credits needed to fulfill a minor in CRS.
• After June 30, 2023, MSC programming will not be offered in the 520 Portage Ave. building.

These people are designated to offer advice before and after the closure of 520 Portage Ave. to CRS and IDS programs:

• MSC Academic Advisor, River Woods. In-person, remote, and phone appointments.
• Until June 16, 2023, at 520 Portage Ave. River Woods will be available for in-person appointments.
• June 16, 2023 to September 2023, River Woods will be available for remote and phone appointments, and in-person at CMU's Shaftesbury Campus at 600 Shaftesbury Blvd.
• Starting in September 2023, River Woods will be available for some in-person appointments at Aboriginal Student Services Center, Lockhart Hall 2L01
• Reminder: sign up for MSC Connections newsletter (by emailing msc@uwinnipeg.ca) to stay informed of any new information.
• Associate Dean, Program (CMU) Ray Vander Zaag
• UW Academic Advisors
• CRS Chair, Stephanie Stobbe (on sabbatical Junly 1 2023 - June 30, 2024)
• CRS and IDS degree program administration and leadership will continue through remote, phone, and in-person appointments with MSC faculty and staff based at CMU's Shaftesbury Campus at 500 Shaftesbury Blvd. General inquiries: info:@:cmu.ca.

As soon as possible, contact MSCPracticumDirector:@:uwinnipeg.ca.

The published timetable on UW WebAdvisor will say the mode of courses, whether online or in-person.

• As timeslots and spaces allow, some in-person CRS and IDS courses may be taught in classrooms at UW, according to timetabling practices.
• Some CRS and IDS courses may be offered in-person through intensive spring/summer courses at CMU's Shaftesbury Campus at 500 Shaftesbury Blvd., Winnipeg, MB.

UW International, Immigrant and Refugee Services advises the following:

"It is important to note that in order to be eligible for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) in Canada, you must complete more than 50% of your courses in-person in Canada. Please keep this balance in mind as you select online courses moving forward. 

If you have any concerns or questions about how these changes will impact your PGWP, we encourage you to contact iirss@uwinnipeg.ca. 

If you have any questions or concerns related to the CRS or IDS Majors, please contact the CRS/IDS Department Advisor, River Woods at ri.woods@uwinnipeg.ca.

If you want to discuss your overall degree, next steps or changing your Major, please contact iirss@uwinnipeg.ca"

Yes, as long as all of your University of Winnipeg classes (CRS or IDS plus all others) are listed on WebAdvisor as ONLINE. Contact the course faculty or instructor listed in WebAdvisor for more details.

• Keep in mind that CRS skills workshops will be taught in-person and are also co-requisites with courses that are offered online.
• E.g., Even if CRS-2210(3) Conflict theory and analysis is offered online, the co-requisite CRS-2211 (1.5) Coaching Skills Workshop will still be offered in person.

Sustaining the commitment to help current students complete their CRS or IDS programs may involve canceling low-enrolled classes.

• If a required course for your IDS or CRS major is cancelled, contact River Woods immediately. They will help you to identify alternative courses to meet your CRS or IDS requirements.

The faculty or instructor of your course may choose to waive the pre-requisites.

• Please contact the faculty or instructor listed in WebAdvisor for the course.
• If unable to reach the faculty or instructor, contact River Woods.

As soon as possible, contact River Woods.

CRS and IDS courses and programs are delivered at the University of Winnipeg through Menno Simons College by faculty and staff of Canadian Mennonite University (CMU). Enrollment pressures in the IDS programs and in the four-year CRS degree program have made program changes and changes to mode of delivery necessary.

Yes, absolutely, The interdisciplinary fields of CRS and IDS continue to be relevant and dynamic locally, nationally, and internationally. Pursuing a BA in CRS or IDS prepares you for many careers, and develops your abilities to research, communicate ideas clearly, work independently and in groups, meet deadlines, and manage time effectively.

• CRS skills apply to any work situation and are highly marketable in fields such as management, human resources, education, insurance, sales, criminal justice, law, counseling, and social work. CRS grads have become mediators, lawyers, workplace trainers, project managers, employment officers, drop-in centre program coordinators, peace workers (in Canada and around the world), mortgage consultants, curriculum developers, public advocates/ombudspeople, and professionals who work with people leaving the prison system.
• IDS grads have become community development officers, EAL teachers, project supervisors (in agriculture, economics, education, human rights and water purification projects); executive directors in not-for-profit sector; policy analysts (governmental and non-governmental); humanitarian assistance coordinators.
• Our CRS and IDS graduates continue their studies in graduate programs here and across Canada and abroad. Manitoba programs where our students have continued include Master's degrees such as the UW's Master of Development Practice, the UM/UW's Joint MA in Peace and Conflict Studies, and CMU's MA in Peacebuilding and Collaborative Development (in which MSC/CMU faculty teach).

After June 30, 2023, the MSC Student Association is planning to use space within UW Student Association spaces in the Riddell Hall basement. Contact Mscsacontact:@:gmail.com.