Become a professional change maker
Do you have a passion for social justice? Do you feel a calling to help others and create change? With a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), you'll empower individuals, families, groups, and communities to sustain and improve their quality of life.
Our 10-month BSW program lays the foundation for generalist practice in a range of social service, health, and community settings. The theories, approaches, and skills developed through your BSW degree coursework will ensure your strong ability to use a social justice lens for assessment, intervention, advocacy, and social action purposes.
In the Social Work program, you'll have the opportunity to integrate your learning through a field placement. Field placements provide relevant foundational skills to move forward in the profession. Some areas of field placement experiences include (but are not limited to) child welfare, community mental health and addictions, working with 2SLGBTQIA+ and BIPOC communities, and working with persons with disabilities.
Most careers in Social Work require a BSW designation (or higher). As a graduate of the BSW program, you're eligible for Ontario College of Social Worker and Social Service Worker (OCSWSSW) registration. You can also apply for an advanced-standing Master of Social Work (MSW) program and earn an advanced degree in as little as a year, rather than two.
What will you learn in Social Work?
Building a foundation
BSW courses will give you a strong foundation for social work practice. Coursework explores how social work intersects with diversity, Indigenous perspectives, mental health and addictions, and social determinants of health, among others.
Experiential learning
As part of the BSW program, you will participate in seminars that go hand-in-hand with your practicum placement. You will bring your classroom learning to your placement, bring your placement learning back to the classroom, and learn from the experiences of your peers. This exchange of knowledge is an integral and expansive part of the BSW learning experience.
Deepen your understanding
Elective courses allow you to choose one subject to explore further. Whether you're interested in working with older adults, international populations, or expanding your knowledge of social work fields of practice, your elective will enhance your BSW.
Offered by:
Renison University College, located on Waterloo's campus
Degree:
Bachelor of Social Work (full-time and part-time options available)
10-month program.
We're one of the few 10-month BSW programs in Ontario. As a student, you'll learn both in class and in the field to equip you for a career in social work.
Flexible and supportive.
This program is flexible, offering part-time students access to online courses with short in-class components. You'll also receive unparalleled support from instructors, professors, staff, and peers.
Field placement.
Includes 720 hours of field placement work to prepare you for a professional designation with the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE).
College or university student elsewhere?
If you already have a BA, you just need to have completed the prerequisite courses, which can be done as part of Social Development Studies or another BA. If you have questions, please connect with an academic advisor.
In high school?
If you're considering pursuing a BSW degree, you can prepare for this program by first completing a Social Development Studies (SDS) degree or another undergraduate degree as long as you meet the prerequisites.
Full-time vs. part-time study
As a BSW student, you have the option to complete your degree through full-time or part-time studies. You can choose the mode that best suits your lifestyle.
The full-time BSW is in-person, on-campus. The part-time BSW is offered as blended learning; courses are primarily online, however, there may be one or two in-person classes on campus per semester.
Full-time studies
- Completed in as little as 10 months
- Seven core courses, one elective, three practicum courses
- In class two days per week
- Three days of field placement per week
- Guaranteed field placement to complete required 720 hours
Part-time studies
- Completed within three years, flexible to suit a busy lifestyle
- Seven core courses, one elective, three practicum courses
- A maximum of two courses per term + one field placement
- Two days of field placement per week after completion of at least one 400-level SWREN course
- Guaranteed field placement to complete required 720 hours
Your future with a degree in social work
A BSW is a professional degree which is required for many social work careers and related professions. We see our graduates working forward in a variety of career areas, including
- child welfare;
- community mental health and addiction;
- housing support;
- settlement services;
- youth services;
- 2SLGBTQIA+;
- Black, Indigenous, and people of colour; and
- persons with disabilities.
Graduates from the BSW program often pursue Master of Social Work degrees or further education in related areas (e.g. public health, law). Once you have completed a BSW degree, you are eligible to apply for advanced-standing MSW programs, including the Waterloo MSW program at Renison's School of Social Work.
If your question isn't answered above, please contact us at renison.bswadmissions@uwaterloo.ca
Ready to learn more?
Please refer to the Social Work website for a detailed listing of the BSW admission requirements.