How can I get a BSW?

1. Apply to Social Development Studies (SDS) at Renison in your final year of high-school. For admission to SDS, you need: a minimum of 70% in Grade 12 4U English and an overall average of at least 80% in your top 6 U/M course (your grade 12 4U English mark will be included in this average). 
2. Choose ‘Social Work’ as your specialization if admitted to Social Development Studies. This will ensure you take the 7 pre-requisite courses necessary to apply for the BSW.
3. Apply to the BSW in your final year of Social Development Studies. Entrance is based 50% on grades, 50% on a personal statement and references. Check out the BSW website for more detailed admission criteria.
4. Please contact Jennifer Lin for inquiries regarding Social Development Studies.

1.  Apply to Social Development Studies (SDS) at Renison. 

For admission to SDS, you need: 

From a 1 year diploma

Do you meet the admission requirements from high school (see above)? If yes, the only requirement is that you have attained at least a 75% overall in your diploma.

If no, you need to have taken 1 or 2 English/Communications courses in college and attained a 75% or higher. You will also need at least an 85% overall average in your diploma.

From a 2 or 3 year diploma

Do you meet the admission requirements from high school (see above)? If yes, the only requirement is that you have attained at least a 75% overall in your diploma.

If no, you need to have taken 1 or 2 English/Communications courses in college and attained a 75% or higher. You will also need at least a 75% overall average in your diploma.

From a private college

The University of Waterloo does not consider any grades attained in a private college. If you have graduated from a diploma program at a private college, your high school marks will be looked at for admission purposes. You will need a minimum of 75% in Grade 12 4U English and an overall average of at least 80% in your top 6 U/M course (your 12 4U English mark will be included in this average). 

If you did not take any U courses in high school, you will need to upgrade at least 6 courses (one of those being grade 12 4U English).

2.  Choose ‘Social Work’ as your specialization. This will ensure you take the 7 pre-requisite courses necessary to apply for the BSW.

3.  Apply to the BSW in your final year of Social Development Studies. Entrance is based 50% on grades, 50% on a personal statement and references. Check out the BSW website for more detailed admission criteria. You may also contact Jennifer Lin for information regarding the Social Development Studies program. 

Social Service Worker Diploma

Applicants to the University of Waterloo who hold a Social Service Worker diploma (or equivalent) and who are applying to the SDS/BSW pathway at Renison University College are eligible for conditional admission consideration to the BSW Program. This will be conditional on their completion of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Development Studies (SDS) with a 70% minimum GPA (including the 7 BSW pre-requisite social work courses). This constitutes a one-step pathway to the BSW degree.

For questions about the SDS/BSW Pathway and how to apply contact: bswadmissions@uwaterloo.ca

For more information about the BSW program contact: Keri Raif Sura

If you did not take any U/M courses in high school, see this link: Mature Student Admission.

2.  Choose ‘Social Work’ as your specialization. This will ensure you take the 7 pre-requisite social work courses necessary to apply for the BSW.

3.  Apply to the BSW in your final year of Social Development Studies. Entrance is based 50% on grades, 50% on a personal statement and references. Check out the BSW website for more detailed admission criteria.

1. You must have successfully completed either a three-year or four-year undergraduate university degree (Bachelor of Arts or equivalent), from an accredited university, with a 70% average and at least 6.0 academic units (12 one-semester courses) in the social sciences, including seven of the prerequisite courses listed below or their equivalents. You must also demonstrate sufficient practical experience and personal suitability as evidenced by letters of reference and a personal statement.

2.  You must have completed 7 pre-requisite courses, or their equivalents:

SOCWK 120R   Introduction to Social Work

SOCWK 220R  Social Work with Individuals - Theory and Practice 1

SDS 251R (formerly ISS 251R)   Social Research

SOC 224R  Poverty in Canada and its Social Consequences OR SDS 312R (formerly ISS 312R)  Homelessness & Public Policy OR SDS 331R Social Inequality, Social Justice and Public Policy

SOCWK 300R  Canadian Social Welfare Policy

SOCWK 301R   Understanding Diversity in CanadaORSDS 311R (formerly ISS 311R)  Public Policy and Native Peoples in Canada

SOCWK 321R   Social Work with Families

3.  Qualified applicants who already possess a BA (or equivalent) degree from an accredited university, but who lack one or more of the prerequisite courses* for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program, may be eligible for Conditional Admission. Upon successful completion of the prerequisite courses, with grades of at least 75%, applicants will be given admission to the next available entry point of the Bachelor of Social Work program.

*Applicants can continue working on outstanding prerequisite courses during the application process by applying for admission as Arts Non-degree/Post-degree students. For further information please contact Jennifer Lin. Telephone: 519-884-4404 x28638

4) Applicants who wish to have courses evaluated for equivalency for the seven prerequisite courses should contact Jennifer Lin for information. It is recommended that prospective applicants start this inquiry prior to submitting their application. 

Information for a pre-admission assessment includes:

• a copy of your transcript along with detailed course outlines (including assignments and bibliography) indicating for which Renison prerequisite courses you are requesting the equivalency

Send the information to:

1. Declare SDS as your major.
2. Choose ‘Social Work’ as your specialization. This will ensure you take the 7 pre-requisite courses necessary to apply for the BSW. 
3. Apply to the BSW in your final year of Social Development Studies. Entrance is based 50% on grades, 50% on a personal statement and references. Check out the BSW website for more detailed admission criteria.