Lakehead social work admission requirements: start from Grade 12, then apply for the professional years

Lakehead lets you apply for social work from Grade 12. You start in the introductory years. Lakehead says that once you finish the social work prerequisites in first and second year, you must apply for admission into the professional years in year three.

So the high school offer gets you into years one and two. Your seat in years three and four depends on a second application. Lakehead says spaces are limited by field placements, supervisors and class size, and that meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission.

Ontario students need an OSSD and at least six Grade 12 U or M courses. The only named course for social work is English (ENG4U). That is the same for the HBSW with a concentration in Gender and Women's Studies or in Indigenous Learning.

Students from other provinces need their own Grade 12 English, such as English Language Arts 30-1 in Alberta. There is no math or science requirement. Pick courses you do well in and use our course planner to map Grade 12.

Lakehead lists a 70% minimum overall average, based on your top six Grade 12 U or M courses. It adds that higher averages may be needed for programs where demand is higher than the number of spaces. Lakehead does not publish a separate entering average or an acceptance rate for social work.

Work out your number with our Top 6 average calculator. Aim above 70%, because Lakehead's scholarships start at 80%.

The only required social work course in first year is SOWK 1100 Introduction to Social Welfare. In second year you take SOWK 2011 Foundations of Social Work Practice and SOWK 2012 Human Development. The rest is eight full course electives outside social work, for 10 full course equivalents in total.

In Thunder Bay you can combine the HBSW with Gerontology, Indigenous Studies or Women's Studies. Lakehead also urges students to get hands on volunteer experience in social services before applying to the professional years. Hospitals, nursing homes, Children's Aid and correctional services are some of the places it names.

To be considered, you need a combined average of at least 70% in SOWK 1100, SOWK 2011 and SOWK 2012, and an overall average of at least 70%. Your 10 full course equivalents must be done by the end of August.

Lakehead scores the application this way: academic record 50%, personal statement 25%, references 15% and resume 10%. You send two references, a resume of up to five pages and a supplemental information form. Family and friends can't be references. Lakehead says it looks at both depth and variety of social work related volunteer work.

The personal statement is a timed online exam, not an essay you prepare ahead and send in. For 2027-2028 entry, it was set for a 3.5 hour window online between January 22, 2027 and January 25, 2027. The questions are essay style and are marked on content, personal and professional awareness, and writing ability.

For Fall 2027 entry from high school, Lakehead's recommended deadline is January 15, 2027 for Ontario high school applicants. Lakehead says most programs still take applications after that date if space allows. See our Ontario deadlines page for other schools.

The year three step comes about two years later. For the 2027-2028 intake, the year three application opened September 17, 2026 and closed December 10, 2026. The package and references were due December 16, 2026. Lakehead's 2020 course sheet says students apply in January of year two. The current package and deadlines page use December dates, so follow the package for your year and confirm with the School.

Year three includes interviewing and communication skills, Theory of Social Work Practice I, Social Work Practice and Indigenous Peoples, and Field Instruction I. Year four includes Theory of Social Work Practice II, Social Policy and Social Welfare, Research in Social Work and Field Instruction II.

Lakehead focuses on social work in northern and rural communities. The degree is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education. You will need a criminal reference and vulnerable sector check before your field placement starts.

Lakehead's social work pages describe field placements, not a co-op program. You do two placements under a qualified social work supervisor, for 110 days of on the job training in a social service agency or community group.

Lakehead names settings such as correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, schools and child welfare agencies.

The fee table on the social work page, set to 2026-2027, shows Ontario residents in year one in Thunder Bay paying $6,104.20 in tuition and $1,627.38 in ancillary fees, for $7,731.58. In Orillia, year one tuition is the same, with total fees of $7,399.65.

Students from other provinces pay $6,927.83 in first year tuition in Thunder Bay. Residence, food, books and placement travel are extra.

Lakehead gives automatic entrance scholarships to students coming straight from a Canadian high school. In the early rounds, 80.0% to 84.9% earns $3,000 over four years, 85.0% to 89.9% earns $5,000, and 90.0% to 94.9% earns $10,000. A 95% or higher average earns $16,000, and can become free tuition if you keep a 95% top six in your final marks.

These awards are renewable if you keep the average in your offer. Lakehead also offers up to two Presidential Scholarships of $40,000 by application.

From Grade 12, social work at Lakehead names just one course, ENG4U. The hard part is the year three application, where grades count for half and the other half comes from references, your resume and the written exam.

If you have already finished a degree, Lakehead's One Year HBSW is a separate route. Compare our Lakehead nursing page and Lakehead concurrent education page if you are weighing helping professions.

A first offer from Lakehead is a start, not a guarantee of the full BSW. The real selection comes in year two. Half of the score is grades and half is references, resume and a timed written exam.

Encourage steady volunteer work in social services from first year. Read our Lakehead guide for campus life in Thunder Bay and Orillia.