Master of Social Work in Gerontology (Thesis)

Lakehead University offers an innovative Master of Social Work (MSW) degree at both campuses in the cities of Orillia and Thunder Bay. The School of Social Work established the MSW program to train advanced generalist social workers for practice with individuals, families, communities, and organizations in contexts, from major urban centres to northern, and rural areas. Our smaller campuses and approachable faculty provide a welcoming learning environment. The curriculum focuses on the knowledge, values, and skills necessary for professional practice in environments characterized by urban regional centres, rural and remote communities, large geographic distances, low population density, diverse First Nations communities and people, and a mix of formal services.
Lakehead's MSW program emphasizes advanced professional practice, which is normally obtained by completing the project track. All students will be accepted into a project track. Early in their program, AFTER consultation with their faculty supervisors, students who prefer the thesis track may request a change from the Graduate Coordinator. The MSW program structure allows for specialized and highly individualized student learning. Each student selects a field of practice around which to focus his or her course work, field practicum and project or thesis.
The Gerontology Program collaborates with five departments including Social Work, to provide students with an innovative, interdisciplinary learning perspective. Students have the opportunity to access multifaceted resources and work together with complementary disciplines. Research and theory in Gerontology is reviewed, and the thesis or major project taken in the collaborating academic unit will have a gerontological focus.

Applicants for admission must be graduates of a recognized university, college, or institute as well as show evidence of scholarly achievement. Except where otherwise stated in the Admission Requirements of a particular program, degree students must have a four year bachelor's degree or its equivalent with at least second class standing (B) based on their last 20 half courses or equivalent.

An applicant holding a degree other than one in the discipline area to which admission is sought will be considered on the basis of courses taken and academic standing. A Qualifying Year at the undergraduate level may be required to meet the admission standards. Courses taken as part of a Qualifying Year can not be used as credit towards a graduate degree.

All candidates must hold a four-year undergraduate degree in social work with at least a B average
Masters candidates are required to have completed an acceptable full credit undergraduate course in research methodology and statistics

Our minimum admission requirement for international applicants is 75% or 3.0 on a 4 point Canadian scale, with an accredited university degree equivalent to a Lakehead University 4 year degree.

IELTS - Minimum Score: 6.5 (no individual score less than 6.0).
TOEFL - Minimum Score for Internet Based Test (iBT): 80 (no component score less than 19).Minimum Score for Computer Based Test (cBT): 213 (no component score less than 17. Minimum Score for Paper Based Test (pBT) when Speaking is present: 550 (no component score less than 50.The revised pBT is not accepted as Speaking is no longer a category.
DuoLingo English Test - Minimum Score 110
Michigan English Test (MET) - Minimum Score 85