COURSE CURRICULUM

The Bachelor of Social Work program at Lakehead University is structured to provide a comprehensive education with a northern focus, beginning in the first year with Social Work 1100 alongside four electives, which must exclude Social Work and cross-calendared courses. Students are encouraged to select electives primarily from the Faculty of Social Sciences and Humanities, but may choose courses from any faculty, with a maximum of seven first-year FCEs allowed. Admission to the third year requires a separate application, which is competitive and not guaranteed, so students are advised to consider other program requirements when selecting electives and to keep their total FCEs under 14.5 to remain eligible. In the second year, students take Social Work 2011 and 2012 alongside four more electives, again excluding Social Work courses. The third year intensifies the focus on social work with courses including Social Work 3100, 3401, and 3500 (equivalent to 1.5 FCEs), plus Social Work 4411 and two half-course electives, one of which may be outside Social Work with director approval. The fourth and final year features advanced courses such as Social Work 4401, 4500 (1.5 FCEs), 4212, and 4405, alongside two half-course electives, again with approval required for those outside the discipline. This curriculum balances core social work theory and practice with flexible electives, preparing students for diverse professional environments through a mix of academic rigor and practical experience.