Laurentian University’s School of Social Work is recognized for preparing its graduates to tackle some of Northern Ontario’s most pressing challenges. Stéphane Richard, Associate Professor and Director of the School of Social Work says, “We are very proud of our program and have an excellent academic team. Laurentian’s Social Work program has an exceptional reputation, which is one of the criteria students use when deciding where to enrol.”
The demand for social workers has never been higher in the north. The region is coping with an ongoing battle against addictions, mental health issues, and homelessness, a problem compounded by a shortage of resources. The university understands this reality and has crafted programs to address some of these challenges head-on.
Multiple programs
Laurentian’s 4-year Bachelor of Social Work degree is an in-person program that leads to provincial social work registration and license from the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers. Richard says, “Our students gain valuable field experience with 700 hours of training in practice settings in Sudbury and throughout the north.” There is also an opportunity to complete both a Bachelor of Social Work and Bachelor of Education degree in 5 years.
New this year, a student with an undergraduate degree and work experience in a helping profession can acquire additional social work qualifications in one year. Meanwhile, the master’s program allows social workers currently employed in the field to continue working while pursuing their graduate degree.
Laurentian also offers three Social Work programs in French; one is on campus, another online, and the third is a master’s degree. Richard says, “Laurentian has the only French-language Bachelor of Social Work program online in Canada and the program’s reach is Francophone students across the country, including students in Quebec.” The online program was created initially to reach students in northwestern Ontario, but the popularity has grown to include students from across the country.
Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work
Laurentian’s Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work degree is a response to the need for culturally aware social work in Indigenous communities. This unique degree weaves Indigenous knowledge and practices into the curriculum, allowing students to address the distinct challenges faced by Indigenous peoples.
There is a focus on relationship-building, connections to the land, intergenerational trauma, colonization, and decolonization. Students learn about Anishnaabe’s traditional teaching, culture, history, and healing methods. Students will receive a Bachelor of Indigenous Social Work degree upon graduation.
Exceptional training
Through hands-on placements, the Social Work program is designed to ensure students are equipped not only with textbook knowledge but also with practical experience. Richard says, “Our undergraduate students are so highly trained that employers seek them out to assume frontline positions upon graduation, whereas in Southern Ontario employers search for graduates with a master’s degree.”
With four years of counselling and advocacy training, Laurentian students are prepared to step into direct practice roles working for instance with people dealing with mental health crises, supporting individuals in addiction recovery or helping families access social assistance. Richard says, “We believe in social change, and we give students the tools to prepare them to face the challenges of working with more complex and challenging social problems. Laurentian has highly trained students and a great reputation for training them well for clinical, counselling, research, and social change and activism roles.”
A student’s experience
Mel Gilchrist is a graduate student currently working toward a master’s degree in social work. She returned to university in her 30s with the intention of earning a BA in psychology. Gilchrist says, “At the end of my 3rd year, there was something missing for me in psychology, so I began exploring other options. A friend suggested social work and that’s when I looked into the Social
Work program at Laurentian.” She did placements in the holistic art-based program with children and is now a practicing social worker who loves working with groups of kids.
Gilchrist uses art to help kids communicate and build coping strategies and skills to assist in regulating their bodies and emotions. She finds the work very rewarding. “I leave my days with a full basket of art expression, which is very fulfilling. I do a lot of breathing regulation with kids and teach them the importance of movement as well. When the kids tell me they take a couple of breaths before making a choice and that they use these tools in their everyday lives, I find that rewarding.”
Mel Gilchrist credits the professors for giving students a solid education and the motivation to succeed.
Many career opportunities
There is a multitude of career paths for graduates in both the public and private sectors, which include working in schools, hospitals, mental health agencies, addiction treatment, crisis intervention, and with vulnerable children and youth.
There is a great demand for social workers in Sudbury and Northern Ontario. Mel Gilchrist says, “Friends of mine received job offers in April and we didn’t graduate until June. They were being hired by employers and trained on the job.”
Making the community a better place for everyone
Laurentian University’s Social Work graduates are catalysts for positive change. Equipped with practical skills, and a deep commitment to justice, they step into their communities ready to make a difference where it counts. They bridge gaps in support and champion the needs of the underserved. Stéphane Richard says, “Social workers must be committed to social justice and human rights. They are engaged with individuals who need help, but always ask themselves what more can I do?”
Laurentian University Social Work graduates do not just find jobs, they find purpose, stepping into the community with skills, knowledge, and compassion to make a real difference in the lives of people in Sudbury and throughout Northern Ontario.
Discover the educational opportunities and career possibilities in Laurentian University’s School of Social Work.