ðNative Human Services Fact Sheet
Thank you for your interest in the Native Human Services Honours Bachelor of Social Work Degree Program at Laurentian University. These are general responses to frequently asked questions concerning the Native Human Services HBSW Program:
What does Native Human Services mean?
The perspective of the program curriculum is bicultural in nature, which means that both Native and mainstream perspectives are incorporated into the Native Social Welfare and Native Social Work curriculum.
May I transfer courses from other post-secondary institutions?
If you are transferring from a CAAT (College of Applied Arts and Technology) with advanced standing, transferring courses is contingent upon successful completion of the diploma and the student’s GPA (grade point average) and program relevancy or compatibility with Native Human Services.
If you are transferring from another university and you have a degree, you may be given relevant first-year direct transfers, which would require a minimum of 15 six-credit courses to complete the degree. There is no transfer for upper-year courses due to academic regulations.
Is the Native Human Services HBSW program an accredited professional degree?
Native Human Services HBSW degree program is accredited under the CASSWE (Canadian Schools of Social Work Education).
Can I register for the program if I am non-Native?
The program is open to anyone who wishes to learn about Native social work practice and to work with Native peoples.
Are there job opportunities outside of reserves?
This program does not limit graduates to reserves. Graduates obtain employment in both urban and rural settings. Employment opportunities that are designated as aboriginal positions will be filled by an aboriginal person.
What about distance education?
The program is completely available through distance education. The program is primarily print-based and is only offered on a part-time basis. One course (NSWK 2315 E: The Helping Relationship) in the second year will require two four-day sessions on campus. All other course requirements are available through CCE (Centre for Continuing Education)/Envision (www.cce.laurentian.ca).
How long will it take to complete the degree through distance education?
Because the degree is only offered on a part-time basis, it takes approximately two years to complete one year if the student is enrolled every term (there are three terms: fall,winter, and spring/summer). The program is a four-year professional degree on campus.
Would my past experience in the field of social work count toward program requirements?
Past employment does not count toward course requirements. However, for those students who possess relevant employment experience, there is a course challenge policy. The policy states that the student must have a minimum of two years of paid relevant employment experience with an agency to be eligible to challenge a course. Each course challenge is available at a cost. If a student fails the course challenge exam, they must take the course. The student does not formally register for the course.
Courses that may be challenged are: NSWK 3605 Field Instruction I, in the third year. In the fourth year, there are two three-credit courses that can be challenged and the student’s work experience will determine which two can be challenged. (There are prerequisite regulations around course challenges, and it is the student’s responsibility to be aware of our regulations.)
Why do students enrol through the distance segment of the Native Human Services HBSW program?
Some students are unable to relocate to the Sudbury campus on a full-time basis, due to employment and family responsibilities. Through the Centre of Continuing Education’s Envision program, these students are able to meet their educational and professional development needs.
Admission/registration information can be obtained online at: www.cce.laurentian.ca.
Can I transfer from distance education to the on-campus program, or vice versa?
It is the student’s choice to be on or off campus. If the need arises to move from the on-campus program to the distance program, it is just a matter of speaking with your academic advisor and sending the information to the registrar.
What if I have a BA and want to apply for the HBSW?
A transfer from another university may receive more than 30 credits, but students have to complete the required NWLF and NSWK courses. You would receive advanced standing and would be considered a second-degree student. You would receive transfer for courses in the BA that are deemed equivalent to those in the Native Human Services program. For example, if you have taken first- and second-year social welfare, first-year psychology, first-year sociology, first-year English, and a six-credit elective in the BA, you would not be required to take them again, as these are also required courses in the Native Human Services program. The grade received is also considered. The courses that are leftover from the review of the BA requirements then become the second degree requirements in Native Human Services. The second-degree policy requirement is a minimum of 60 credits. The Native Human Services BSW is a professional degree with prescribed courses. For this reason, there are no direct transfers from another institution for Native Social Welfare and Native Social Work courses and all Native studies courses. Based on this, most second-degree requirements are a maximum of 90 credits.
The timeframe to complete the program is determined by whether you choose full time (on campus) or part time (distance education). Depending on your degree and work experience, you may be eligible to apply to the MSW program as opposed to obtaining another undergraduate degree. Please speak with an academic advisor.
Can graduates of the Native Human Services HBSW register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Services Workers?
Graduates of the Native Human Services HBSW are eligible to register with the Ontario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers (OCSWSSW), the college that governs social work practice. In the future, many social service employees on and off reserve who receive provincial funding for the delivery of social services may be required to register with the college.
How do I apply to enter the Native Human Services HBSW?
If you are planning to be here full-time on campus next September, you must apply for full-time studies through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC). You can apply online at: www.ouac.on.ca. This requires a credit card, and is much faster than mail. If you have to go through mail, you would contact the Ontario Universities’Application Centre at: (519) 823-1940 and request an application. There is a non-refundable application fee.
If you choose Native Human Services through the distance education program, you may go to the Centre for Continuing Education: www.cce.laurentian.ca. There, you will find a part-time application form. Please register early.
We trust this information was helpful. Miigwetch/thank you/merci beaucoup for your interest in the Native Human Services Honours Bachelor of Social Work Program.