Social Work
Social Work is a versatile and influential profession that facilitates positive change whether its working to develop social policy, assisting marginalized groups, providing counselling to individuals and families, or promoting social change.
Lakehead University's School of Social Work delivers a generalist undergraduate degree with a northern focus, based on an holistic view of social work practice.
Our courses blend in-class learning with field placements, in settings including correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, schools, or child welfare agencies, designed to develop critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary skills.
As a student at our Thunder Bay campus, concentrations in Indigenous Learning, and Gender and Women's Studies are available to broaden your expertise within the field.
Our program is fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education and will provide you with a challenging and meaningful experience, applicable to a range of professional practice settings.
Transfer Options
It’s easy to transfer to Lakehead. Our pathway and general transfer policies are designed to help you maximize your credits from your current or previous studies at either college or university – or even both.
There are a number of ways to transfer to Lakehead. Let us help you achieve your degree completion goals. For more information regarding specific admission requirements from college or university, check out the “Admissions Requirement” tab above and select your most recent level of study.
Our One Year HBSW is designed for students who have already attained an undergraduate degree in another discipline and wish to receive the training and professional qualification to allow them to enter into the profession of Social Work. The program offers the course content of the professional years of the HBSW program in a compressed, intensive 12 month time frame.
Applicants with Ontario College diplomas in social service fields may be considered for advanced standing credit.
Applying to Lakehead University is easy and we are here to help you along the way.
Step 1 – Determine your general admission requirements:
To determine your general admission requirements, select one of the definitions below:
Step 2 – Determine your program-specific prerequisite requirements for your program(s) of choice:
To determine your program-specific prerequisite requirements, choose from the drop-down menus below:
Program Specific Requirements
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Social WorkDegree:Social WorkAlberta/NWT/Nunavut:English Language Arts 30-1Program Specific Requirements for Ontario High School Students:English (ENG4U)Program Specific Requirements for Alberta/NWT/Nunavut High School Students:English Language Arts 30-1Program Specific Requirements for British Columbia/Yukon High School Students:English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12Program Specific Requirements for International Students:EnglishProgram Specific Requirements for Manitoba High School Students:English Language Arts (Comprehensive Focus, Literary Focus, or Transactional Focus) 40SProgram Specific Requirements for Mature/Transfer Students:English (ENG4U). Other secondary or post-secondary courses that are equivalent to the English prerequisite requirement are accepted. College transfer students entering via a transfer pathway are not required to satisfy the English prerequisite requirement.Program Specific Requirements for New Brunswick High School Students:English Language Arts 121 or 122Program Specific Requirements for Newfoundland/Labrador High School Students:English 3201Program Specific Requirements for Nova Scotia High School Students:English 12 or English 12 African HeritageProgram Specific Requirements for PEI High School Students:English 621AProgram Specific Requirements for Quebec (CEGEP) Students:2 English (603 or 604)Program Specific Requirements for Quebec (Private) Students:English (ENG4U) or equivalentProgram Specific Requirements for Saskatchewan High School Students:English Language Arts 30 A or English Language Arts 30 B
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Social Work with a Concentration in Gender & Women's StudiesDegree:Social WorkAlberta/NWT/Nunavut:English Language Arts 30-1Program Specific Requirements for Ontario High School Students:English (ENG4U)Program Specific Requirements for Alberta/NWT/Nunavut High School Students:English Language Arts 30-1Program Specific Requirements for British Columbia/Yukon High School Students:English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12Program Specific Requirements for International Students:EnglishProgram Specific Requirements for Manitoba High School Students:English Language Arts (Comprehensive Focus, Literary Focus, or Transactional Focus) 40SProgram Specific Requirements for Mature/Transfer Students:English (ENG4U). Other secondary or post-secondary courses that are equivalent to the English prerequisite requirement are accepted.Program Specific Requirements for New Brunswick High School Students:English Language Arts 121 or 122Program Specific Requirements for Newfoundland/Labrador High School Students:English 3201Program Specific Requirements for Nova Scotia High School Students:English 12 or English 12 African HeritageProgram Specific Requirements for PEI High School Students:English 621AProgram Specific Requirements for Quebec (CEGEP) Students:2 English (603 or 604)Program Specific Requirements for Quebec (Private) Students:English (ENG4U) or equivalentProgram Specific Requirements for Saskatchewan High School Students:English Language Arts 30 A or English Language Arts 30 B
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Social Work with Major Concentration in Indigenous LearningDegree:Social WorkAlberta/NWT/Nunavut:English Language Arts 30-1Program Specific Requirements for Ontario High School Students:English (ENG4U)Program Specific Requirements for Alberta/NWT/Nunavut High School Students:English Language Arts 30-1Program Specific Requirements for British Columbia/Yukon High School Students:English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12Program Specific Requirements for International Students:EnglishProgram Specific Requirements for Manitoba High School Students:English Language Arts (Comprehensive Focus, Literary Focus, or Transactional Focus) 40SProgram Specific Requirements for Mature/Transfer Students:English (ENG4U). Other secondary or post-secondary courses that are equivalent to the English prerequisite requirement are accepted.Program Specific Requirements for New Brunswick High School Students:English Language Arts 121 or 122Program Specific Requirements for Newfoundland/Labrador High School Students:English 3201Program Specific Requirements for Nova Scotia High School Students:English 12 or English 12 African HeritageProgram Specific Requirements for PEI High School Students:English 621AProgram Specific Requirements for Quebec (CEGEP) Students:2 English (603 or 604)Program Specific Requirements for Quebec (Private) Students:English (ENG4U) or equivalentProgram Specific Requirements for Saskatchewan High School Students:English Language Arts 30 A or English Language Arts 30 B
The only required Social Work course in first year is:
- Social Work 1100 – Introduction to Social Welfare
The remaining courses will be electives of your choice, with a wide array of options to choose from.
If you decide to combine your Social Work degree with a degree in another discipline, such as Gerontology, Indigenous Studies, or Women's Studies, your additional courses must reflect the requirements of your chosen second degree.
Once you have completed the necessary Social Work prerequisites in first and second year, you must apply for admission into the professional years in Year Three. The professional years provide specialized courses in the Social Work profession, including field placements in Year 3 and 4.
For requirements for our one-year program visit our One-Year Program Information page.
Field Placements
Put your newly developed skills and knowledge to practical application in supervised learning environments. Our Field Education Coordinators will work with you to facilitate meaningful field placement experiences that will prepare you for employment.
You will participate in two field placements, under the direction of a qualified social work supervisor, completing 110 days of on-the-job training in a social service agency or community organization.
Concentrations
As a Social Work student at the Thunder Bay, you have the ability to combine your HBSW with studies in Gerontology, Indigenous Studies, and Women's Studies. This double degree option provides you with the unique opportunity to focus your Social Work knowledge on a particular topic and/or population beginning in your first year.
Undergraduate Research
Gain exceptional hands-on experience in undergraduate research at Lakehead University. As Canada’s #1 Undergraduate Research University, we make research in your undergraduate years a reality.
High Employment Rate
Our graduates are extremely successful in securing employment within one year of graduation. We attribute this to our balance of professional and practical courses, as well as the field placement opportunities that integrate social work theory and knowledge.
More information about Payment Methods, and Payment Due Dates can be found here: Student Fees Information
Arts (Includes, but is not limited to: ISTEM, ILIP, HB Mus, HBFA, Palliative Care, Dementia Studies, etc.)
Thunder Bay
| Year | Tuition | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | $5,984.51 | $1,408.45 | $7,392.96 |
2 | $5,955.86 | $1,325.73 | $7,281.59 |
3 | $5,915.30 | $1,325.73 | $7,241.03 |
4 | $5,398.29 | $1,325.73 | $6,724.02 |
Social Work
Orillia
| Year | Tuition | Ancillary Fees | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
1 | $5,984.51 | $1,126.83 | $7,111.34 |
2 | $5,955.86 | $1,044.11 | $6,999.97 |
3 | $5,915.30 | $1,044.11 | $6,959.41 |
4 | $5,398.29 | $1,044.11 | $6,442.40 |