Definition of Routes

Course Route

A Course-based program places more emphasis on completing academic courses related to a graduate subject area with less emphasis on a major research paper. Instead of completing a Thesis, a student in a Course-based program will complete a higher number of academic courses. However, students in this route may still be required to complete a major research paper, a research project, or an independent study, and these requirements will typically have a lower credit weight than a Thesis.

For the course route program requirements, please:

Portfolio Route

Students in the Master of Education program at Lakehead University have the option of completing a Portfolio as part of their degree requirements. A portfolio may involve research or the application of theoretical knowledge to a practical problem in the profession. A portfolio allows the candidate flexibility in the following areas:

  • The type of problem or topic selected for study;
  • The processes through which a problem is examined, developed, implemented, or evaluated;
  • The range of forms, which may be used for reporting. The final product frequently is a resource for professionals in the field, including, for example, a course, handbook, resource guide, or detailed assessment rubric.

For additional Portfolio guidelines, please visit the departmental website:

For the Portfolio Route program requirements, please:

Project Route and Research Paper Route

Students in the following programs have the option of completing a Project or Research Paper as part of their degree requirements:

  • Master of Science in Management
  • Master of Arts in English
  • Master of Arts in History
  • Master of Social Work,
  • Master of Arts in Sociology

The emphasis for the Project or Research Paper is on scholarly thinking and critical analysis and may not carry the same burden of originality as a Thesis. Similar to the Course route, the major research paper required for the Project route will typically have a lower credit weight than a Thesis. Therefore, students in this route are required to complete a higher number of academic courses in the subject area than a student in the Thesis route would be required to complete.

For additional Project and Research Paper guidelines, please visit the following departmental websites:

For the Project/Research Paper program requirements, please:

Thesis Route

A Thesis-based program requires a student to complete a Thesis paper. The emphasis with a Thesis is on the development of a research question or theory which is situated within a tradition of existing knowledge and research and which is then rigorously investigated following procedures from established research traditions. A Thesis-based program places a higher credit weight on the Thesis requirement thereby requiring a student in the Thesis route to complete fewer academic courses in the subject area than a student in a Course-based or a Project-based program would be required to complete.

For the Thesis Route program requirements, please:

For general information about the Thesis and Dissertation process, please

For additional guidelines on the Thesis process specific to your program of interest, please visit the appropriate departmental/Faculty or School website below: