Courses for your Social Development Studies degree

First-year courses and beyond*

September to December

PSYCH 101R – Introductory Psychology
SOCWK 120R – Introduction to Social Work
SOC 101R – Introduction to Sociology
ARTS 130 – Inquiry and Communication** or ARTS 140 – Information and Analysis**
One elective

January to April

SDS 131R – Political Ideologies and Social Development
SDS 150R – Lifespan Processes
PSYCH 253R/253 – Social Psychology
ARTS 130 – Inquiry and Communication** or ARTS 140 – Information and Analysis**
One elective

After first year

About half of the classes you’ll take will be SDS courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo.

Sample upper-year courses

PSYCH 334R – Theories of Individual Counselling Psychology
SDS 350R – Adult Life Crises and Events
SOCWK 321R – Social Work with Families
SDS 425R – Educational Equity in Canada

*This is a sample schedule. Courses are subject to change depending on availability each term.

**The Arts First requirement consists of two first-year courses that are capped at 25 students: ARTS 130 – Inquiry and Communication and ARTS 140 – Information and Analysis. Instead of listening to a lecture and trying to capture notes, Arts First courses will have you and your classmates working together to respond to a challenge posed by the instructor.

Advisors are here to help

With so much flexibility, you might have a lot of questions. We're here to help! If you're applying for admission, contact our Faculty of Arts recruitment team.

Once you're a Waterloo student, you'll have access to academic advisors who can help you