The Native Human Services Honours Bachelor of Social Work programme is one of three culturally-specific social work programs in Canada that are recognized and accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE). The program has its foundations in the area’s First Nations, which were instrumental and actively involved in its development.
· four-year program leads to an honours bachelor of social work
· students gain a comprehensive understanding of social work practice with First Nations people
· program includes two field practicum experiences
· full-time studies on campus and part-time studies through Envision (distance education) and Seven Generations at Kenora are available
Prospects: child welfare, mental health, corrections – provincial/federal, community development, administration, direct service delivery, policy development, research and development, education, training and management and health care. Graduates have enhanced their employability through the bachelor of education (B.Ed.), legal studies (LLB), graduate studies (MSW), and post-graduate studies (PhD). Graduates are also eligible to register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers. Graduates of the Native Human Services programme are also eligible to enroll in the Northern Ontario School of Medicine.
Offered in English.
Admission requirements
Ontario secondary schools
- 1 grade 12 4U English
- 5 other grade 12 4U/M courses
See Admissions for other requirements.
Students must apply to the School of Native Human Services for admission to the professional years of the programme prior to March 1st of their second semester (includes application form, personal statement and resume of work, community and volunteer experience). The form outlines the requirements for social work practice. This includes sections such as adhering to the Code of Ethics, Professional Suitability and Criminal Reference Checks.
To be eligible, students must successfully complete all 1st-year program requirements. The grading scheme is outlined in the Application to Professional Years package.
Enrolment in the professional years is limited and contingent upon the availability of field placements and faculty resources.
Program requirements
To be in good academic standing, the student must:
- satisfy all conditions of admission
- achieve a min. 70% in NWLF 1006/1007 or SWLF 1006/1007 & 2006/2007 and NSWK 2315, 3305 & 4305
- achieve a satisfactory grade in both NSWK 3605 & 4605
- maintain a min. 70% average in all NSWK courses (including the research course)
- meet the minimum grade requirements in the required courses taken in the previous year or in the previous 30 consecutive credits, with no failures in any course attempt
A student who fails to attain academic standing will be permitted to continue in the program on probation for no more than one year (or 30 credits). A student who does not meet minimum grade requirements must include the specified course in their program in the probationary year. If, after one probationary period, the student fails to attain good academic standing, he or she must withdraw from the program.
Students required to withdraw may transfer to another program with the permission of the dean of the faculty and the chair of the department (or director of the school) of the new program. If a student is required to withdraw and not permitted to transfer to another program, he or she must also withdraw from the university.
General Information
School of Native Human Services Mission:
The Mission of the Native Human Services programme is to provide an accredited Honours Bachelor of Social work degree that offers knowledge , skills and experience to work effectively with Native and non-Native communities.
· Native Human Services in its commitment to foster Native social work training positions its foundations in the pursuit of self-determination, such as reclaiming; reformulating and reconstituting Indigenous traditions, cultures and communities. Our philosophy is to foster harmony with all of creation which also means with fellow human beings. Therefore Native Human Services respects and acknowledges all students, staff, faculty, Elders and visitors.
· Native Human Services respectfully embraces the guiding philosophy of the programme. Native Human Services incorporates the Seven Grandfather Teachings as a guiding theory and embraces the Social Work Code of Ethics. The Native Human Services programme logo represents the goal of Nishnaabe Kinoomaadwin Naadmaadwin to build and maintain healthy families and communities.
· Native Human Services embraces a space where academic pursuits toward higher education and excellence can be attained. The faculty continues to provide a Native-based curriculum programme that is inclusive of social work teachings, innovative research, Indigenous knowledges and cultures and Professional and Ethical practice.
· Native Human Services recognizes the maintenance and preservation of traditional values and practice. Therefore, we recognize the leadership and stewardship of those First Nations peoples who live in close proximity of Laurentian University. Likewise we acknowledge those communities who have a special relationship with Laurentian University and acknowledge their continued input and support. Therefore Native Human Services acknowledges the partnership of its Native communities and recognizes them as important conduits for the programme, its students, staff and faculty. Likewise, we acknowledge all peoples who bring with them their knowledges and we invite them to join with us in a spirit of cooperation, mutual respect and exchange of understandings. In embracing traditional ways, the worldview for Native peoples is to be respectful of the environment. Therefore we recognize that the lands and water sources surrounding the University are also an important teaching space.
· The Wigwam as a guiding principle for the School of Native Human Services embraces growth such as the development of graduate programmes and fosters partnerships with the community and other institutions. The “wigwam” was and is a space that embraces, facilitates, encourages, respects, nurtures, teaches, enlightens, challenges, empowers, prepares and heals. It is a space where traditional knowledge, language and customs can intermingle with all knowledges and a place where cultural and spiritual teachings can be envoked. The wigwam is a space where knowledge is processed for learners and acknowledges those responsible for disseminating teachings. It is also a space where leadership and transformation can evolve. We acknowledge that the wigwam is a place dedicated to higher learning therefore must be treated with respect.
· The philosophy from our Elders provided a foundation for Native Human Services and we respect the vision and creativity of those who contributed to its early curriculum.
The term Native is used here inclusively to reflect status Indians, non-status Indians, Aboriginal, Metis and Inuit peoples. The goal of the Native Human Services programme is to provide an accredited social work degree that offers knowledge, skills and experience to work effectively with Native and non-Native communities.
The Laurentian University Native Education Council (LUNEC) is comprised of representatives from Native organizations and communities as well as institutional representation. The School of Native Human Services has non-voting representation on this committee. The mandate of LUNEC is to facilitate Native self-determination by providing advice and direction on all matters related to Native education at Laurentian University and the Federated Universities.
Graduates of the program develop professional social work skills at a level of competence suitable for practice and in a manner that is culturally-appropriate to First Nation individuals and communities. They develop a good understanding of the cultural commonalities and differences that affect helping relationships with Native people and are aware of social problems and concerns of Native people and the effect of these on their social and cultural development.
Graduates have a sound knowledge and appreciation of First Nations’ history, culture, worldview and philosophy, and a broad awareness of the political, social, educational and economic aspects of development in Native urban and reserve communities. They understand the judicial system and provincial and federal legislation affecting First Nations. Graduates are grounded in the Seven Grandfather and Medicine Wheel teachings relevant to practice with Native communities as well as being committed to the ethics and values of the social work profession.
Students who graduate with a min. 70% average on all specialization courses receive the Honours designation.
The program is accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE). Students who have at least two years of social work experience can take challenge examinations, which, if passed, constitute credit for NSWK 3605 Field Education and any two 3-credit 4th-year courses other than NSWK 4305 or 4605.
Students participate in Field Instruction I (min. 300 hours) and Field Instruction II (min. 400 hours) in an approved practice setting. Considerable flexibility is permitted to students and their agency-based field instructors to determine appropriate work schedules. This may result in the field practicum being offered in a block (3, 4 or 5 days per week) or concurrently (2 or 2.5 days per week) throughout the session. The Access Supervisor approves practicum settings and a faculty consultant approves learning contracts, but all are subject to the mutual consent of the parties concerned.
While engaged in field practices, students are expected to abide by all of the School of Native Human Services, university and professional codes of conduct and to respect the particular standards of the field placement settings they have chosen, for example, provide a criminal reference check. Field instruction courses are graded on a pass/fail basis.
The School of Native Human Services reserves the right to expel a student who, not withstanding her/his academic performance, fails to adhere to ethical and professional standards incumbent upon members of a helping profession.
Courses in Native Human Services are available on both a full and part-time basis on campus and on a part-time basis through distance education.
Program
All courses should be selected in consultation with an academic advisor
Course descriptions