Master of Social Work in Gender and Women Studies (Thesis) in Ottawa Canada | Lakehead University

Lakehead University provides a cutting-edge Master of Social Work (MSW) program available at its Orillia and Thunder Bay campuses. The School of Social Work designed this MSW program to prepare advanced generalist practitioners for work with individuals, families, communities, and organizations across diverse settings, from metropolitan areas to northern and rural regions. With intimate campus sizes and accessible faculty, students enjoy a supportive academic atmosphere. The program curriculum equips students with the essential knowledge, values, and competencies for professional practice in varied contexts including urban hubs, remote communities, vast geographical areas, sparse populations, Indigenous communities, and mixed service environments.
Lakehead's MSW program prioritizes advanced professional development, typically achieved through the project track. All admitted students begin in the project track, with the option to switch to the thesis track early in their studies after consulting faculty advisors and obtaining approval from the Graduate Coordinator. The program's flexible structure enables tailored learning experiences, allowing each student to concentrate their coursework, field placement, and final project or thesis on a specific practice area.
Lakehead University's Department of Gender and Women's Studies fosters critical examination of gender as a fundamental analytical framework in academic research. Through cross-disciplinary education, students evaluate how current knowledge systems represent gendered experiences and academic perspectives.
The program strives to promote gender-inclusive education, research, and scholarship throughout the university and broader community. This collaborative Master's option enables students to merge specialized disciplinary study with interdisciplinary Gender and Women's Studies scholarship. Graduates receive a degree that identifies their primary discipline while recognizing their Gender and Women's Studies specialization.