Master of Social Work (MSW) – Lakehead University

SpaceCat Fit Notes

1. CASPer: Not required. Moot – SpaceCat is not eligible for this program without first completing a BSW.

2. GPA window & upgrading strategy: GPA is calculated on the last 20 half-courses (B average minimum). Moot for the MSW itself – SpaceCat does not hold a BSW. For the potential HBSW pathway, Lakehead evaluates the 10 most recent undergraduate/graduate courses with a 70% minimum, and academic performance accounts for only 40% of the HBSW evaluation (60% is non-GPA: work/volunteer 15%, references 20%, personal statement 25%).

3. Experiential / written advantage: The MSW Study Plan (3-6 pages) would play to SpaceCat’s shelter work strengths – it requires establishing a practice topic, research plan, and practicum rationale. However, eligibility is the threshold issue. The HBSW pathway (if pursued) weights work/volunteer experience at 15% and personal statement at 25%, giving SpaceCat’s shelter work some leverage in the first step, but this adds years to the total timeline.

4. Out-of-province: Ontario resident. - None identified. The program accepts applicants from across Canada. Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses are both in Ontario. - Not applicable – SpaceCat is an Ontario resident

5. Overall assessment: Not viable — Lakehead’s MSW explicitly requires a BSW/HBSW; “alternative undergraduate degrees from other disciplines will not be accepted.” A pathway exists via Lakehead’s 1-year HBSW program, but this creates a 3+ year total timeline (1-year HBSW + 15-24 months MSW), the earliest HBSW start would be July 2027, and it requires relocation to Thunder Bay or Orillia. Direct-entry MSW programs for non-BSW holders at other universities are far more efficient.

BSW REQUIRED – SpaceCat cannot apply directly with a BA. See “Pathway for Non-BSW Applicants” below.

Quick Facts

• Institution: Lakehead University, School of Social Work (Faculty of Health and Behavioural Sciences)
• Program name: Master of Social Work (MSW) – Advanced Standing (BSW holders only)
• Degree granted: MSW
• City, Province: Thunder Bay, Ontario (also offered at Orillia campus)
• Program type: Advanced standing only – requires a BSW/HBSW. No foundation (non-BSW) track exists.
• Duration: 2 years (6 terms) maximum; many students complete in 15 months; some finish in as few as 12 months. Source
• Delivery format: In-person
• Full-time / Part-time: Full-time is the default. Part-time permitted only in exceptional circumstances with approval of Faculty of Graduate Studies and Graduate Coordinator; part-time students receive no university financial support. Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 10
• Language of instruction: English
• Start date(s): September only (Fall intake)
• Application deadline(s): February 1 annually. Only complete applications are reviewed. Source
• Application system: Online through Lakehead University Office of Graduate Studies (not OUAC or ORPAS)
• Application fee: $125 CAD Source
• Program URL: https://www.lakeheadu.ca/programs/departments/social-work/msw
• Intake frequency: Annual
• Accredited: Yes – CASWE-ACFTS accredited at both BSW and MSW levels, and accredited by the Ontario Council of Graduate Studies. Source – Student Guide PDF, p. 9

Admission Requirements

GPA

• Minimum GPA: B average (approximately 70-73% on the Ontario scale, or 3.0/4.0) based on the last 20 half-courses or equivalent. Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 7
• Competitive GPA (if known): Not published. The selection process ranks applicants on “previous academic standing, study plan, relevant work experience, references and overall suitability for advanced study in social work.” Meeting the minimum B average does not guarantee admission. Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 9
• GPA calculated on: Last 20 half-courses (10 full-course equivalents), per Lakehead graduate admission standards. Source
• GPA scale used: Lakehead uses a percentage-based system; “B” = second class standing, upper division.

Prerequisites

Prior Degree Requirement

• Minimum degree required: 4-year Honours Bachelor of Social Work (HBSW) or Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) from a CASWE-accredited program, with at least a B average. Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 7
• Non-BSW degrees accepted? No. The Application Guide states explicitly: “Alternative undergraduate degrees from other disciplines will not be accepted.” [Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 7]
• Preference given to: Candidates with paid social work practice experience subsequent to receiving the HBSW degree. [Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 7]

Supplementary Requirements

• CASPer: Not required
• GRE: Not required
• Interview: Not required (not mentioned in any admissions materials)
• Resume / CV: Not explicitly listed as a separate document, but work experience is evaluated as part of the selection process.
• References: Three required. Referees must be qualified to evaluate the applicant’s social work practice skills and/or academic skills and research potential. At least one must be able to provide an academic reference. Electronic reference forms are sent automatically to the referees identified on the graduate studies application form. Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 8
• Supplemental information form: Required as part of the application. Source
• Criminal Record Check: Required (including Vulnerable Sector Search) prior to field placement. Failure to provide may compromise ability to complete the program. [Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 9]

Written / Personal Components

Study Plan prompts (5 questions to guide responses): 1. What is your preferred field of practice for specialization? (Must connect to a faculty member’s research area.) 2. What would be the topic of your project or thesis, and how would you plan to go about accomplishing this investigative experience? 3. What kind of field practicum placement would you prefer? What are your reasons for this choice? 4. How do you see your area of specialization, practicum, and project or thesis as forming an integrated educational experience? 5. Include a projected timeline for completion – hours of employment, plan for practicum, course schedule, GA position request, and when project/thesis will be completed.

Source – Application Guide PDF, pp. 8-9

How Applications Are Evaluated

Applicants who meet basic admission requirements are ranked on: (1) previous academic standing, (2) study plan, (3) relevant work experience, (4) references, and (5) overall suitability for advanced study in social work. Applicants may be offered admission, placed on a waitlist, or refused admission based on these rankings. Admissions are limited by the number of seats available each year. Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 9

Out-of-Province Considerations

• Residency restrictions or quotas: None identified. The program accepts applicants from across Canada. Thunder Bay and Orillia campuses are both in Ontario. Source
• Out-of-province tuition differential: Not applicable – SpaceCat is an Ontario resident. Source
• Equity / priority seats: No specific equity or priority seats mentioned in MSW admissions materials.

Cost

• Tuition (total program, approximate):
• Domestic (Canadian) tuition: Not confirmed from official sources. Lakehead’s graduate fee schedule is dynamically generated and could not be extracted. Third-party sources (Yocket/ApplyBoard) list ~$23,000 CAD/year, but this may reflect international rates. Domestic graduate tuition at Lakehead is typically significantly lower than international rates.
• Based on comparable Ontario graduate programs and Lakehead’s positioning as a smaller public university, domestic tuition is likely in the range of ~$6,000-$8,000/year (estimate based on peer programs – must be confirmed directly with the university).
• Fee schedule (requires interactive filter)
• Application fee: $125 CAD
• Financial aid notes:
• Graduate Assistantships available for full-time domestic students: 270 hours of work across fall and winter terms in exchange for remuneration (amount determined yearly). GA work is 10 hours/week as a teaching assistant. GAs are CUPE members. Source – Application Guide PDF, pp. 10, 13
• Scholarships, bursaries, and awards available through Graduate Studies (separate application).
• OSAP available for Ontario residents.
• Part-time students are NOT eligible for university financial support.
• Full-time students employed as GAs (10 hrs/week) must not have more than 20 hours of additional employment. [Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 10]

Competitiveness

• Cohort size: ~14 students per campus (Thunder Bay and Orillia each accept ~14). Total across both campuses: ~28 per year. Source – MSW Helper
• Acceptance rate: ~43% (based on Peterson’s data: 21 applicants, 9 accepted – though this data may be dated and may reflect only one campus). Source
• Total graduate students: ~33 at any given time (across both years). [Source – Peterson’s]
• Gender breakdown: ~84% female, ~15% male, ~6% international. [Source – Peterson’s]

Fieldwork / Clinical / Practicum

• Total required hours: 450 hours (practice/project track only). Students in the research/thesis track are NOT required to do a field practicum. Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 4; Student Guide PDF, p. 7
• Placement timing: Practicum is completed after coursework, typically in the spring term of the first year. If it extends beyond one semester, students must remain registered for practicum until completion. [Source – Student Guide PDF, p. 11]
• Placement structure: Flexible – may be done as a “block” placement or several hours/days per week over a longer period. May consist of work in more than one setting. [Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 5]
• Can placements be done outside Thunder Bay? Yes – placements can be done outside Thunder Bay and even internationally. The faculty supervisor, with assistance from the Graduate Practicum Coordinator, arranges the placement. [Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 5; Student Guide PDF, p. 8]
• Paid placements: Not permitted. School policy states students WILL NOT be allowed to participate in a paid field placement. [Source – Field Practicum Manual]
• Place-of-employment placements: Available under specific conditions (see Appendix I of the Student Guide). [Source – Student Guide PDF, Table of Contents]
• Criminal Record Check: Required (including Vulnerable Sector Search) before placement, per placement agency requirements. [Source – Application Guide PDF, p. 9]
• Supervision: Weekly supervisory meetings required with a qualified supervisor holding an MSW and minimum two years post-degree experience. [Source – Field Practicum Manual]

Program Structure

Tracks

All students are initially admitted to the Practice/Project Track. Students may later switch to the Research/Thesis Track with approval of the School of Social Work and their faculty supervisor.

Source – Application Guide PDF, pp. 5-6

Required Courses (3 core + 3 electives)

• SOWK 5511 – Research
• SOWK 5513 – Policy and Theory
• SOWK 5514 – Policy and Theory
• Plus 3 elective courses (selected from posted timetable; with permission, 1 FCE may be taken outside the School of Social Work)

Source – Student Guide PDF, p. 11

Specialization Options

• Gerontology (collaborative graduate program – both campuses)
• Gender and Women’s Studies (collaborative graduate program – Thunder Bay only)
• Graduate Diploma in Health Service and Policy Research (available alongside MSW)

Source

Licensing & Career Path

• Licensing: No licensing exam in Ontario. Graduates of CASWE-accredited MSW programs are eligible to register directly with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW) as a Registered Social Worker (RSW).
• Graduates eligible to practice in all provinces? Yes – CASWE accreditation is recognized across Canada. Each province has its own regulatory body.
• Any known issues with credential recognition? None – Lakehead’s MSW is fully CASWE-accredited.

Reputation & Notes

• Northern / rural focus: The MSW program was established in 1992 “with a mission to train advanced generalist practitioners for practice in any context, Northern, rural or urban.” Faculty expertise includes rural health, Indigenous issues, and northern social work practice. The program emphasizes practice in settings with “large geographic distances, low population density, diverse First Nations communities.” This is a distinctive orientation compared to urban-focused MSW programs. Source – Student Guide PDF, p. 6; ApplyBoard
• Small program: ~14 students per campus creates an intimate learning environment with accessible faculty. 7 full-time faculty members. [Source – Peterson’s]
• Two campuses: Thunder Bay (original, since 1992) and Orillia (added 2016). Orillia is significantly closer to the GTA.
• Advanced generalist approach: Not a clinical-only program. Emphasizes integration of clinical practice, community development, policy analysis, supervision, and administration.
• Faculty matching during application: A distinctive feature – applicants should begin identifying and contacting potential faculty supervisors during the application process. This means the study plan must connect to a specific faculty member’s research interests.
• Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Angela Hovey (ahovey@lakeheadu.ca). Source

Information Not Found

The following items could not be confirmed from public sources and should be verified directly with the program:

• Exact domestic tuition fees – the fee schedule is dynamically generated and could not be scraped. Contact accounts@lakeheadu.ca or (807) 343-8140, or use the cost estimator.
• Whether the One Year HBSW program is offered at Orillia or only Thunder Bay.
• Exact Graduate Assistantship remuneration amount – described as “determined yearly.”
• Whether the research methodology and statistics prerequisite must be a single combined course or can be two separate half-courses.
• Current application cycle details for 2026-2027 – the Application Guide PDF dates from 2015 and the Student Guide from 2017; some details (e.g., study plan prompts, Graduate Coordinator name) may have been updated.

Contacts

• Thunder Bay: (807) 343-8576 | social.work@lakeheadu.ca
• Orillia: (705) 330-4008 ext. 2003 | orilliasocialwork@lakeheadu.ca
• Graduate Coordinator: Dr. Angela Hovey | ahovey@lakeheadu.ca
• Graduate Studies general: gstudent@lakeheadu.ca

Sources

• Official program pages:
• MSW Program – Main Page
• MSW Program – Application Information
• MSW Frequently Asked Questions
• Graduate Studies – Social Work
• One Year HBSW Program Information
• Masters Admission Requirements
• Official PDFs:
• MSW Program Application Guide (2015)
• MSW Program Student Guide (2017)
• MSW Field Practicum Manual (2023)
• Fee / tuition pages:
• Graduate Fees (interactive)
• Cost Estimator
• Third-party sources:
• Peterson’s – Lakehead School of Social Work
• ApplyBoard – Lakehead MSW
• Yocket – Lakehead MSW
• MSW Helper – Acceptance Rates