Social Development Studies | Undergraduate Programs

Whether generating social insights or making meaningful change, your journey starts here

In Social Development Studies (SDS), you’ll explore how people grow, how societies function, and how change happens.

Learn how human interactions are influenced by individual, collective, and structural forces such as mental health, social relationships, economic conditions, education and politics, and movements for social justice and social change.

Through courses in areas such as psychology, sociology, and social work, you'll gain a toolkit for understanding individuals and communities – and the systems that shape them.

Dive deeper by including paid co-op work terms to explore potential careers, adding a minor or second major, or pursuing opportunities such as research and an honours thesis on a topic of personal interest. You can also add business skills to your degree by choosing SDS as a major within the Honours Arts and Business program.

Upon graduation, you’ll be well-prepared for a meaningful career in helping professions such as counselling, teaching, social services, human resources, social work, and law.

What courses will you take in Social Development Studies?

First-year courses

As an Arts student, you’ll choose Social Development Studies as your major at the end of first year. You’re encouraged to explore a second major in first year to discover potential new interests.

You can choose Social Development Studies as a major through either Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Honours Arts

September to December

PSYCH 101R – Introductory Psychology
SOC 101R – Introduction to Sociology
ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
Prospective major #2
Elective

January to April

SDS 131R – Political Ideologies and Social Development, or SDS 150R – Lifespan Processes
SOCWK 120R – Introduction to Social Work
Prospective major #2
2 electives

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

Honours Arts and Business

September to December

ARBUS 101 – Introduction to Business in North America
ECON 101 – Introduction to Microeconomics
PSYCH 101R – Introductory Psychology
SOC 101R – Introduction to Sociology
Prospective major #2

January to April

ARBUS 102 – Accounting Information for Managers
ARBUS 202 – Professional and Business Ethics
ARTS 160 – Inquiry and Knowledge Creation
SOCWK 120R – Introduction to Social Work, SDS 131R – Political Ideologies and Social Development, or SDS 150R – Lifespan Processes
Prospective major #2

This is a sample schedule. Courses or when a course is offered may change depending on availability.

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

Customize your degree

Popular specializations and minors for students in this program include:

You can add additional areas of expertise by including one or more of the minors available to all Waterloo students.

View "Small classes, global opportunities in Social Development Studies" on YouTube

Faculty:
Faculty of Arts

Degree:
Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies

Available as a co-op program?
Yes

Available as a regular program?
Yes

Available as a minor?
Yes

New BA/BSW Double Degree program. Take your studies further by applying to the Bachelor of Social Work program through Waterloo's new SDS/Social Work double degree pathway – earning two degrees concurrently and gaining the credentials and skills needed for a career in a helping profession.

Experience the best of both worlds. With many of your courses taught at Renison University College, you’ll be part of a close-knit community with a more personal learning environment. Enjoy the benefits of a smaller, on-campus University College while still accessing everything Waterloo has to offer.

Co-op = relevant paid work experience

Alternate school terms and paid co-op work terms throughout your degree, exploring career areas and types of employers as your career interests evolve.

Sample co-op job titles

Community development worker
Educational assistant
Marketing and communications assistant
Human resources assistant

Social and community service worker – outreach
Project coordinator
Research assistant, digital innovation and design

Co-op work-study sequence

Starting in second year, you'll normally alternate between school and work every four months, integrating your classroom learning with real-world experience. You can return to the same employer for a couple of work terms to gain greater knowledge and responsibility or work for different employers to get a broad range of experience.

Option one: If you choose to study Social Development Studies through Honours Arts and Business, your first work term will be in the winter term of second year.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Off
Second	Study	Co-op	Study
Third	Co-op	Study	Co-op
Fourth	Study	Co-op	Co-op
Fifth	Study	Study	-

Option two: If you choose Honours Arts, your first work term will be in the spring term after second year.

Year	September to December (Fall)	January to April (Winter)	May to August (Spring)
First	Study	Study	Off
Second	Study	Study	Co-op
Third	Study	Co-op	Study
Fourth	Co-op	Study	Co-op
Fifth	Co-op	Study	-

Learn more about co-op →

What can you do with a degree in Social Development Studies?

With a degree in Social Development Studies (SDS), you’re not stuck on one track – your options are wide open. You might work in advocacy, research, education, social work, or health care. You could shape policy, influence systems, and support individuals.

The careers listed below are examples of what you might be able to pursue. Through the courses you take, specializations you choose, extracurriculars, and any work experience you gain, you'll graduate with a degree that's uniquely you and be ready to pursue a career that's right for you!

Community outreach coordinator

You would work directly with communities to connect people to programs and resources. This role involves listening to community needs and helping organizations design inclusive, effective services.

Social services support worker

You’ll support individuals or families dealing with challenges like housing insecurity or access to healthcare. This role focuses on practical help, advocacy, and empathy.

Elementary or high school teacher

In this role, you would support students' learning, development, and well-being in the classroom. Social Development Studies helps you understand how social, emotional, and environmental factors influence educational success.

Health promotion or community health worker

You would support programs that promote well‑being, prevention, and access to care. Social Development Studies helps you understand how social factors affect health outcomes.

Settlement or immigration services worker

You’d help newcomers adjust to life in a new country by connecting them to housing, education, or employment services. Cultural understanding and advocacy are central to this work.

Nonprofit program coordinator

In this career, you’d help plan, run, and evaluate programs focused on social support, education, or community development. Social Development Studies prepares you to think about long‑term impact and fairness.

Education or youth program coordinator

In this role, you’d help design and manage programs that support children and youth. You’ll focus on development, engagement, and building supportive environments.

Nonprofit fundraising or development officer

You would help raise funds through grant writing, donor outreach, or campaigns. Understanding social needs helps you communicate why programs matter.

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) assistant

You could support companies in building ethical practices and community partnerships. This role blends business awareness with social impact.

Advocacy or social justice officer

You’d work with organizations that promote equity, access, and rights. This career focuses on both individual support and broader system change.

Program evaluation or data analyst

You’d analyze information to see which social programs are effective and where improvements are needed. This role is ideal if you enjoy evidence‑based decision‑making.

Community or nonprofit manager

Over time, you could move into leadership roles overseeing staff, budgets, and programs. This degree prepares you to lead with a strong sense of social responsibility.

Post-secondary student services coordinator

Help students navigate their educational journey and succeed in their goals through services such as academic advising, student engagement, accessibility, or campus programming.

If you’re interested in helping communities, understanding social challenges, and making a meaningful difference, a Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies offers flexible pathways into people‑focused and impact‑driven careers.

Learn about the future of careers in arts, humanities, social sciences, languages, and creative arts.

Admission requirements

Ontario students

Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including

English 4U (minimum final grade of 70% is required)

Admission average: low 80s

Mathematics of Data Management is recommended as a helpful background for the program.

Not studying in Ontario?

Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business.

Learn about transfer credit pathways from college Social Service Worker programs.

How to apply

Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Social Development Studies as your major at the end of first year.

Related programs

Psychology

Sociology

Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree

Therapeutic Recreation

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From the Missing Manual

Pursuing a double major in Psychology and Social Development Studies, Abby wasn’t afraid to say “yes” to an opportunity that helped her grow as a person. Read our article about Abby.