Lakehead University School of Social Work

Message from the Director

The profession of social work is an exciting and diverse one. From working to develop social policy to providing counselling to individuals and families, social workers are committed to social justice and the well-being of all members of society. Here, at Lakehead University, our program provides you with an opportunity to learn the necessary knowledge and skills to begin your career as a social worker. We pride ourselves on providing a program that is challenging, meaningful, and applicable to a range of professional practice settings. We also are committed to you -- our students -- through the use of small classes, innovative teaching methods and outstanding placement settings. Our faculty is experienced and enthusiastic bringing a range of practice and research experience to the classroom. The result is a program that is truly exceptional. To find out more about us explore our website or contact us.  For HBSW Program information, contact us at social.work@lakeheadu.ca  (Tel: 807-343-8556), and for MSW information, contact Keith Brownlee, Graduate Coordinator, at kbrownle@lakeheadu.ca (Tel: 807-343-8575).

Dr. David Tranter, Director, School of Social Work

The Social Work program at Lakehead, which concentrates on being relevant to the social service needs of northern populations, is an innovative program based on an ecological view of social work practice. This approach stresses the social worker's role in providing and facilitating a comprehensive range of helping experiences which relate to the client's needs as a whole person. This requires skill in an integrated practice method which students learn through both classroom courses and field practice experiences in human service agencies with actual client cases under the supervision of a field instructor.

Lakehead offers two different Honours Bachelor's degree (HBSW) programs as well as a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree. The four year HBSW program is designed to combine a liberal arts education with a professional education. The One year HBSW program is designed for those students who have completed the requirements of an approved Bachelor's degree other than social work and related practice experience. Both programs are offered on a full-time and a part-time basis. The MSW and the HBSW courses are available and designed for full and part-time studies through spring and summer, fall and winter.

Both the Bachelor's and Master's degrees are fully accredited by the Canadian Association of SocialWork Education which is the standard setting body for Canadian social work programs.

The School of Social Work's Appeal Procedures also conform to the Faculty of Professional School's Appeal Procedures. As a member of the University community, the Faculty of Professional Schools and the School of Social Work are committed to an Appeal Process that is fair, equitable and transparent.

Lakehead University School of Social Work is the site for the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work Anti-Racist Website and material resources. This website will be updated and available to anyone wishing to use the resources and references.

There are varied opportunities open to graduates of the Lakehead University Social Work program to enter practice after graduation. Career opportunities exist in various settings where social work practice takes place such as in child and family welfare, mental health, corrections, health services, schools and services for the aged. Career advancement opportunities are available to those who qualify in the areas of supervision, program planning, administration, consultation and university teaching.

General Objectives of the School of Social Work

• To create an academic community that is continuously concerned with the major areas of human learning relevant to the broad field of Social Welfare and Social Work as a profession;
• To produce graduates who have obtained both a professional and a liberal arts education;
• To help meet the needs for professional social workers in Canada especially those in Northwestern Ontario;
• To assist in the improvement of social service delivery systems in Northwestern Ontario communities;
• To meet the continuing educational needs of social work personnel in the Northwestern Ontario region.