Master's in Social Justice Studies

Lakehead University is a reputable institution of higher education located in Ontario, Canada, with campuses in Thunder Bay and Orillia. Founded in 1965, Lakehead offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs in various fields, including arts, sciences, business, engineering, and health. The university is renowned for its exceptional research initiatives, emphasizing interdisciplinary collaboration and addressing real-world challenges. Lakehead provides students with a supportive and inclusive learning environment, fostering critical thinking, innovation, and community engagement. With a commitment to sustainability and Indigenous education, Lakehead University prepares graduates to become future leaders and make a positive impact in their chosen fields and society at large.

The MA Social Justice Studies is an innovative, interdisciplinary program. The program allows students to pursue a 4 FCE course based degree or, with the approval of the Social Justice Studies Committee, complete a practicum, a creative project, or a research project in lieu of the final 1 FCE of coursework. The program prepares students to work, research and advocate towards a more socially just society which values equality, solidarity and human rights and recognizes the citizenship of each human being. The program has three streams: an MA in Social Justice Studies, a Specialization in Social Justice Studies, and an MA in Social Justice Studies with a Specialization in Gender and Women's Studies. Within the MA they may choose the course stream, a research project stream, a creative project stream, or a practicum stream. Students begin the MA program by taking one half-credit course in social justice theory and one half-credit course in research methods. Those enrolled in the coursework stream will choose a further six half-credit courses from the approved Social Justice Studies course list. Students enrolled in the research project stream, creative project stream and practicum stream will choose four further half-credit courses from the approved list. Project students will then produce a 40-50 page research project to replace one FCE. Creative project students will produce the project and an artist/project statement of approximately 20 pages which will replace one FCE of coursework. Practicum stream students will complete a 200 hour practicum with an approved social justice agency or non-profit organization and write a 20 page report detailing their work.