Master of Education with Specialization in Gerontology - (Thesis Route)

at Lakehead University - Orillia Campus Canada

Our Faculty of Education prepares prospective teachers for a dynamic and rewarding career through unique and innovative programming. By emphasizing critical thinking skills and collaborative learning, we give you the flexibility to explore the teaching methods, concepts, and values that are meaningful to you. 

We are leading the way in teacher education. Our program emphasizes practical, experiential learning to ensure you are fully prepared to enter into the workforce post-graduation. Our programs are continually adapted to encompass a variety of educational settings and training opportunities in two divisions:

• Primary-Junior (P/J): JK – Grade 6
• Intermediate-Senior (I/S): Grades 7-12 

Unlike our Concurrent Education program, which is completed along with an undergraduate degree in another discipline, our Consecutive Education program is a two-year program open to those who have already completed a three- or four-year undergraduate degree.

Our Interdisciplinary Studies program is flexible in its design, allowing you to customize your educational experience. You will be encouraged to think beyond the confines of a traditional undergraduate degree and take a range of courses in different disciplines that are oriented to your individual career aspirations.

As an Interdisciplinary Studies major, you can choose any two disciplinary areas from the following:

• Anthropology
• Biology
• Criminology
• English
• General Science
• Geography
• History
• Media Studies
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology 

You will develop advanced critical thinking skills, problem-solving strategies and specialized knowledge pertaining to a variety of topics. We also offer the ability to pursue concentrations in Human Nature, Social Justice, and International Conflict and Human Rights.

Social Justice Concentration
The study of social justice centres on questions relating to the distribution of society’s benefits across its population.   This concentration takes students into discussions about their role in the creation of democratic communities that actively promote social equality, human rights, and fair opportunities for everyone, regardless of differences in class, race, gender, ethnicity, ability, or sexual orientation.  The program of study includes problem-based inquiries into poverty, marginalization, and discrimination as well as exploration of various ways in which media, educational systems, literature, public policies, social institutions, and legal structures might construct and perpetuate inequalities or assist in addressing and overcoming systemic and other oppressions.  A particular focus on Indigenous justice is explored in some courses.  Moreover, some courses make active connections between the classroom and local organizations, including not-for profit agencies and community groups.   

A focus on Social Justice is one of the pillars of Lakehead University, not only in the Academic Plan but also the Strategic Management Agreement.  Given the importance for society of questions relating to social justice, debates on this topic are inherently interdisciplinary. Most disciplines provide key descriptions and definitions of many injustices and ideal solutions present in society.   This is an area in which sociologists, criminologists, political scientists, and scholars of media and literature all work together to analyze the complexity of problematic situations and envision equitable solutions.  As a result, this program offers a spectrum of courses drawn from a range of Social Science and Humanities disciplines, addressing questions such as: 

1. What is social justice?  How is social justice different from just plain justice?
2. How does a society decide how much social justice is the right amount?  Do different societies value social justice in different amounts?
3. Why do modern societies seem to becoming more and more unequal over time?  Should we do anything about this? Is inequality “natural”? 
4. What are the criminological impacts of social inequality and systemic discrimination?  
5. Why are the inmates of Canada’s jails and prisons drawn disproportionately from the ranks of poor people and racial minorities, and especially from First Nations and Afro-Canadian communities?
6. How are race, class, gender, and sexuality stereotypes reinforced and/or challenged in literature and in different forms of media?
7. How can imaginative constructions, fictional stories, or digital media strategies assist in probing and resisting sexism, racism, homophobia, and other injustices?
8. How do social policies and political processes shape the future of local and global justice?  What is involved in ethical decision making? 
9. How can a peaceful, just society be created and maintained?
10. What types of skills and professional careers can contribute the most to the development of socially just societies?

A concentration in social justice gives students interdisciplinary opportunities and critical skills to investigate various inequalities as well as the potential to imagine and propose positive social change through policy and practice.  

The Social Justice concentration will appeal to individuals who are community-oriented and willing to engage as citizens and problem-solvers with respect to equity and human rights.  It would also appeal to active and life-long learners, educators, artists, writers, and politically active individuals.  This concentration leads to work, career, community engagement, and further study opportunities in the fields of education, policing, public service, social work, women’s studies, community justice, the charity and not-for-profit sectors, law and policy development, community organizing, media and journalism, and the arts. For those interested in graduate studies, Lakehead offers an MA in Social Justice for which this concentration would provide an ideal background, although other graduate programs would be appropriate as well.

Lakehead University’s Faculty of Business Administration has one of the finest undergraduate business programs in Canada, producing exceptional business leaders through innovative programming that includes mentorship, consulting opportunities, and participation in national and international business competitions.

All students gain a comprehensive understanding of core business disciplines early in the program before digging deeper into fields of study that offer a range of advanced courses.

Our Faculty of Business Administration’s Thunder Bay campus has joined the ranks of elite business schools by earning our Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) certification. Fewer than 5% of business programs worldwide have been accredited with the AACSB certification. This globally-recognized hallmark of excellence guarantees you will experience a challenging and relevant curriculum delivered by the most highly-qualified faculty.  

We are also accredited by the Chartered Professional Accountants (CPA) of Ontario, with all Accounting majors meeting the requirements of the CPA Prerequisite Education Program (PREP) upon graduation.

Human Resources Management majors graduate with the required courses for use toward one of the Certified Human Resources designations (CHRP, CHRL, CHRE) as approved by the Human Resources Professionals Association (HRPA).

Minors are available for Honours Bachelor of Commerce students in their third or fourth years in either Accounting, Business Finance, Human Resources/Industrial Relations, Information Systems or Marketing.

The Honours Bachelor of Commerce Program at the Orillia Campus is a four-year undergraduate program intended for students that wish to have an education focused on business management, with an emphasis on a particular specialization.

There are two major programs along with two majors with co-op options in which you may enrol to earn the Honours Bachelor of Commerce degree. These are:

• Global Entrepreneurship
• Global Entrepreneurship (Co-op Option)
• Business Administration
• Business Administration (Co-op Option)

Global Entrepreneurship
Global Entrepreneurship consists of a series of courses designed to improve the competence of individuals in starting up and running their own entrepreneurial business in the global environment.

Lakehead University’s Faculty of Business Administration has one of the finest undergraduate business programs in Canada, producing exceptional business leaders through innovative programming that includes mentorship, consulting opportunities, and participation in national and international business competitions.
All students gain a comprehensive understanding of core business disciplines early in the program before digging deeper into fields of study that offer a range of advanced courses.

In first year you will take the following core courses, plus electives:-

• Business 1011 – Introduction to Management
• Business 1012 – Financial Accounting
• Business 1013 – Business Computing
• Business 1031 – Business Writing I
• Business 1066 – Quantitative Analysis in Management
• Economics 1100 – Principles of Economics

The study of Sociology emphasizes the social relationships between people, communities and cultures. By exploring fundamental sociological theories, contemporary thinkers, and a variety of research methods, you will have the opportunity to examine topics including:

• Health and Aging
• Marriage and the Family
• Crime and Deviance
• Media and Popular Culture
• Science and Technology
• Gender and Sexuality
• Education
• Northern Communities
• Discrimination
• Social Change 

Research and hands-on application is at the core of our programs. You will graduate with the necessary skills to facilitate quantitative and qualitative research and to think creatively and inquisitively in order to better understand social patterns, behaviours and issues. 

Our faculty is actively engaged in diverse areas of research such as Gerontology, Education, Health, Demography, Media, Work and Occupations, Social Psychology, and Northern Studies, providing you with well-rounded course options taught by some of the foremost leaders in the field.

It is our goal to enhance your knowledge of the society in which you live and to increase your ability to think independently and critically.  You will graduate with a strong understanding of social interaction, preparing you for success in virtually any profession.

The Faculty of Education at Lakehead University offers a Master of Education program designed to meet your professional and academic goals and interests. Our Master of Education (MEd) program provides you with a unique learning opportunity, which addresses the current landscape of both education and research.

MEd: Gerontology Specialization
The Gerontology Program actively collaborates with the Faculty of Education to provide you with an innovative, interdisciplinary learning perspective. You have the opportunity to access multifaceted resources and work together with complementary disciplines.

Social Work is a versatile and influential profession that facilitates positive change whether its working to develop social policy, assisting marginalized groups, providing counselling to individuals and families, or promoting social change.

Lakehead University's School of Social Work delivers a generalist undergraduate degree with a northern focus, based on an holistic view of social work practice.

Our courses blend in-class learning with field placements, in settings including correctional facilities, psychiatric hospitals, schools, or child welfare agencies, designed to develop critical thinking, effective communication, problem-solving, and interdisciplinary skills.

As a student at our Thunder Bay campus, Concentrations in Gerontology, Indigenous Learning, and Women's Studies are available to broaden your expertise within the field.

Our program is fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education and will provide you with a challenging and meaningful experience, applicable to a range of professional practice settings.

Our General Science program is a great choice if you are looking for a multidisciplinary education that allows you the freedom to explore your interests. It is very easy to move from the General Science program into a specific major at any point during your undergraduate degree. 

Our General Science program has 10 departments for you to choose courses from:

• Anthropology
• Biology
• Chemistry
• Computer Science
• Economics
• Geography
• Mathematical Sciences
• Geology 
• Sustainability Sciences
• Physics 

You are also able to take courses in Environmental Studies, Applied Life Sciences, Environmental Science and Water Resource Sciences 

These departments can be arranged into four subfields if you have determined a topical interest:

Life Sciences
This area focuses on the study of living organisms and how those living systems work. Our natural world is reduced to its most basic principles to observe patterns in organisms from bacteria to humans. Learn more about Applied Life Science, Anthropology, Bioinformatics, Biology, Chemistry and Physics within this area.

Environmental Science & Policy
This area studies the distribution and interaction between humans and the physical features of our world. You will focus on understanding and evaluating environmental issues and choices in a sound scientific manner. Learn more about Earth Sciences, Economics, Geography, Geoarchaeology and Water Resource Science within this area.

Physical Science & Mathematics
Physical Science & Mathematics is about problem solving. You will focus on understanding structures in our day-to-day life and the theories behind them including the study of matter and how matter interacts. Dynamic modelling is a key element of the programs within this area. Learn more about Bioinformatics, Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematical Sciences and Physics.

Technology
This area is all about using the right tools to analyze the data in our world. These tools enable us to shape the future as they study physical characteristics of the world and beyond. Communications, information storage and human-computer interaction are common features of this area. Learn more about Computer Science, Bioinformatics and Physics.

Criminology involves the study of crime, including victimization, criminality, and criminal justice agents and institutions among other areas. The field is multi-disciplinary, including Sociology, Psychology, Political Science, and various other academic fields.
At Lakehead University, you will have the option to major, specialize, or minor in Criminology. The Criminology Program emphasizes a practitioner orientation, with a variety of courses that introduce and familiarize students with the Canadian criminal justice system. Three thematic areas of focus run throughout the Program’s course offerings: (1) social justice and human rights, (2) law and legal institutions, and (3) forensic science and criminalistics.

As a program graduate, you will be well situated to, among other things, consider careers in:

• Law enforcement (e.g., policing, border security)
• Corrections (e.g., institutions, probation)
• Social work (e.g., victims services organizations, offender rehabilitation programs)

Or, to apply to further schooling that opens up additional career opportunities, such as:

• Law school
• Teacher education  
• Graduate school

A sample of courses in the Criminology Program at Lakehead includes: Youth Crime, Cyber-Crime, Forensic Psychology, Criminal Profiling, Policing, Death Investigation, and a wide variety of other innovative courses.