Current Students

The primary resource and guide for the SJS Program is the Student Handbook. Please consult this document, especially for deadlines and processes. 

Program Handbook (updated August 6, 2024, PDF)

Students will be asked to choose one of the program streams. That process will start in the first semester; students will complete the online stream selection form in November, then complete the advisor agreement form, and the change of program form if they are moving out of the Course Work option.  

  • Initial stream selection form.  Complete by end of November, first semester.  

  • Supervisor Approval Form, including supervisor's signature.   Complete by February 15, second semester. Turn in to Program Advisor.  

  • Change of Program Form.  Completed by May 1, second semester. Program Advisor's signature required. 
  • Students in the Creative and Research Project Stream are asked to submit a proposal to the SJS Academic Review Committee by June 1, September 15, or January 15th. June 1 of a student's first year is the ideal submission time.  Project Proposal Form. Please consult the Research and Creative Projects Guidelines in order to understand the Academic Review Committee's expectations for proposals.  

Research and Creative Projects Guidelines (PDF updated Aug 1, 2024). 

Upon completion of the research project or creative project, the academic advisor (or supervisor) is asked to complete the Project Evaluation Form and submit that to the Program Advisor or Coordinator.  

Project Evaluation Form (PDF).

Consult the list of Student Work to see the scope and nature of work done in the program.  

Students who choose the Practicum Stream will complete a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that functions much like the other proposals, except this proposal needs to be worked out with the host organization.  MOUs can be completed before the practicum semester starts; ideally, they are completed no later than two weeks into the practicum semester. Students in the Practicum Stream also have a Handbook they can consult before filling out the MOU.  Practicums consist of a 200-hour placement plus weekly meetings with other practicum students, regular reflections, and a final presentation + report.  Practicums can begin in May or in September and run two semesters. 

Practicum Handbook PDF (updated Feb. 14, 2024). 

Graduate Assistant Positions  

In addition to completing coursework, projects, or practicums, most full-time domestic students hold a Graduate Assistant Position throughout their time in the program. Students are asked if they would like to hold a GA at the time of admission. Students will identify areas of expertise and interest in late July or early August, and will be matched with faculty members by the end of August or early September. 

Students are asked to complete 10 hours of GA duties per week throughout the Fall and Winter semesters for a total of 270 hours.  GA positions are worth a little more than $10,500 per year.  

Some students will stay with the same GA work all year long; some will switch duties at Winter. Needs can shift from semester-to-semester.  

The program may have one or two GA positions available for International Students. 

Flex-time students are not able to be offered a GA position.  

GA Forms: 

  • At the start of each year (or semester), GA supervisors and students must complete the GA Assignment of Work Form.  
  • At the end of each year (or semester), GA supervisors and students must complete the Performance Review Form. 

Graduate Assistant policies are largely governed by Lakehead's Graduate Student Association (LUGSA).

For additional information, please consult the Funding Opportunities page.  

Continuous Enrollment is Required 

Students are required to maintain continuous enrollment from the semester they start the program until the semester they graduate.  Students often need to sign up for, or enroll in, "placeholder" courses over the Spring and Summer semester between year one and year two if they are not otherwise enrolled in any courses. Tuition will be charged in all three semesters: Fall, Winter, and Spring / Summer.  There are two exceptions to continuous enrollment: Leaves of Absence and Time Extensions. 

Leaves of Absence

A leave of absence can be granted for maternal/paternal/parental leaves, for health reasons, on compassionate grounds, or to allow a student to gain practical experience. Leaves of absence must be supported by details and external supporting documentation. Leaves of absence must be requested prior to the leave (i.e. they are not retroactive).

A student is eligible for a maximum of three Leaves of Absence in addition to an unlimited number of Maternal/Parental leaves, provided that no single Maternal/Parental Leave extends beyond three consecutive terms. If additional time away is required (more than the three-term limit), the student is advised to withdraw from the program and apply for re-admission at a time more suitable for completion.

Please consult the Faculty of Graduate Studies Leave of Absence page for more details and to download the form.  

Time Extensions

A Time Extension in a graduate program will be granted for exceptional circumstances on a per-term basis, for up to three terms. Recommendations for the first term beyond the allowed Period of Study require approval by the Department, which then sends notice along with the recommendation, including reasons, to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Recommendations for the second term and for the final term must be sent to the Faculty of Graduate Studies Council for consideration and final approval.

A graduate student who does not complete the required courses and/or research and creative project or practicum within the prescribed periods of study and does not receive an approved Time Extension is considered to have failed the program and must withdraw.