Admission
Graduates of a two-year college Social Service Worker diploma with a minimum overall average of 75% and meeting all admission requirements will be eligible for admission and transfer credits to Waterloo’s Social Development Studies (SDS) program. Each student’s application and transcript will be assessed individually.
If you've graduated from one of the colleges listed below, you can preview which of your courses will transfer to Waterloo's SDS program.
If you have completed or are in the process of completing a Social Service Worker diploma program at an Ontario college that is not one of the ones listed above, refer to the OnTransfer.ca course transfer site to search for courses from your program that we have previously assessed. You can also review the admission requirements for Social Development Studies for Ontario college transfer students.
If you’re interested in pursuing a Bachelor of Social Work degree, you can now apply for conditional admission to the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program at Waterloo. Conditional admission means that you can move directly into the BSW program upon completing Waterloo’s Social Development Studies (SDS) program.
Unofficial course transfer guide
This is an unofficial guide on how courses transfer from the institutions listed to the University of Waterloo. Transfer credits will be awarded for courses in which a minimum grade of B- (70%) has been achieved, unless noted below. The number of transfer credits you receive is assessed on an individual basis and may be more or fewer courses according to our policies and your individual circumstances.
0.50 credit is generally equivalent to a single course at Waterloo.
Conestoga College
Conestoga course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| COMM 1360 | ENGL 210F | 0.50 |
| SOCS 1015 + SOCS 1040 + SOCS 2020 | SOCWK 120R | 0.50 |
| SOCS 1035 + SOCS 2030 | SOCWK 220R | 0.50 |
| SOCS 1060 + SOCS 2060 | SOCWK 221R | 0.50 |
| SOCS 2015 | SOCWK 357R | 0.50 |
| SOCS 2110 + SOCS 2190 | SOCWK 222R | 0.50 |
| SOCS 2080 + SOCS 2180 | SOCWK 321R | 0.50 |
| Program and general education electives | Up to 1.5 units of additional credits from electives | 1.50 |
| Total transferrable units | 5.00 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4U from high school, we would accept Conestoga College COMM 1085 (min 70%) as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 15.5 units, equivalent to approximately six terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately three academic years (six full-time academic terms).
Fanshawe College
Fanshawe course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| BSCI 1247 | SPCOM 1XX | 0.50 |
| COMM 3082 | ENGL 210F | 0.50 |
| SOCI 1006 | SOC 101 | 0.50 |
| SOCW 1031 + SOCW 1032 + SOCW 3023 | SOCWK 220R | 0.50 |
| SOCW 1033 | SDS 150R | 0.50 |
| SOCW 1041 | SOCWK 300R | 0.50 |
| SOCW 1052 + SOCW 3030 | SOCWK 321R | 0.50 |
| SOCW 1053 | SOCWK 222R | 0.50 |
| SOCW 3024 | SOCWK 221R | 0.50 |
| SOCW 3028 | SDS 2XX | 0.50 |
| SOCW 3032 | SDS 2XX | 0.50 |
| Program and general education electives | Up to 1.5 units of additional credits from electives | 1.50 |
| Total transferrable units | 7.00 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4U from high school, we would accept Fanshawe College WRIT 1094 AND COMM 3082 as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 13 units, equivalent to approximately five terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately 2.5 academic years (five full-time academic terms).
George Brown College
George Brown course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| COMM 1007 | ENGL 1XX | 0.50 |
| COUN 1034 + SWRK 1042 | SOCWK 120R | 0.50 |
| GSSC 1109 | SDS 150R | 0.50 |
| GSSC 1121 | SOC 2XX | 0.50 |
| SWRK 1026 | SOCWK 300R | 0.50 |
| SWRK 1063 | SOCWK 221R | 0.50 |
| SWRK 2056 | SMF 2XX | 0.50 |
| SWRK 2097 | SOCWK 220R | 0.50 |
| Program electives (up to 1.0 units) from: SWRK 2092 + SWRK 2058 OR SWRK 2093 OR SWRK 2094 OR SWRK 2095 | SOCWK 2XX OR SDS 2XX OR SDS 2XX OR SOC 2XX (up to 1.0 units) | 1.0 |
| General education electives | SOCWK 2XX OR SDS 2XX OR SDS 2XX OR SOC 2XX (up to 1.0 units) | 1.0 |
| Total transferrable units | 6.00 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4u from high school, we would accept George Brown College COMM 1007 (min 70%) as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 14.0 units, equivalent to approximately six terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately three academic years (six full-time academic terms).
Georgian College
Georgian course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| SSWK 1000 | SDS 150R | 0.50 |
| SSWK 1001 + SSWK 1002 + SSWK 2005 + SSWK 2006 | SOCWK 120R + SOCWK 1XX | 1.0 |
| SSWK 1003 + SSWK 2001 | SOCWK 220R | 0.50 |
| SSWK 1006 + SSWK 2013 | SOCWK 2XX | 0.50 |
| SSWK 1012 | SOCWK 2XX | 0.50 |
| SSWK 1013 | SDS 1XX | 0.50 |
| SSWK 2000 | SOCWK 301R | 0.50 |
| SSWK 2017 | SOCWK 221R | 0.50 |
| Program and general education electives | Up to 1.5 units of additional credits from electives | 1.50 |
| Total transferrable units | 6.00 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4u from high school, we would accept Georgian College COMM 1016 (min 70%) as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 14.0 units, equivalent to approximately six terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately three academic years (six full-time academic terms).
Humber College
Humber course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| GNED 101 | PHIL 1XX | 0.50 |
| PYSC 210 | PSYCH 211 | 0.50 |
| SSW 101 | SOC 101 | 0.50 |
| SSW 103 | SOCWK 120R | 0.50 |
| SSW 108 | SPCOM 100 | 0.50 |
| SSW 153 + SSW 210 | SOCWK 220R | 0.50 |
| SSW 155 | SOCWK 301R | 0.50 |
| SSW 208 | SDS 2XX | 0.50 |
| SSW 209 | PSYCH 257R | 0.50 |
| SSW 212 | SOCWK 222R | 0.50 |
| SSW 213 | SDS 2XX | 0.50 |
| SSW 254 | SOCWK 2XX | 0.50 |
| SSW 258 | SOCWK 1XX | 0.50 |
| SSW 259 | SOCWK 300R | 0.50 |
| WRIT 100 | ENGL 109 | 0.50 |
| WRIT 200 | ENGL 210F | 0.50 |
| Program and general education electives | Up to 0.50 units of additional credits from electives | 0.50 |
| Total transferrable units | 8.50 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4u from high school, we would accept Humber College WRIT 100 (min 70%) as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 11.50 units, equivalent to approximately five terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately 2.5 academic years (five full-time academic terms).
Mohawk College
Mohawk course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| COMM 11040 | ENGL 109 | 0.50 |
| COMM SO226 | SPCOM 1XX | 0.50 |
| HIST 10015 + HMNS 10100 | SOCWK 120R | 0.50 |
| HMNS 10095 | SOCWK 222R | 0.50 |
| HMNS 10097 | SOCWK 2XX | 0.50 |
| HMNS 10098 + LAWS 10112 | SOCWK 2XX | 0.50 |
| HMNS 10096 + HMNS 10099 + HMNS SO232 | SDS 2XX | 0.50 |
| HMNS 10156 + INDS 10029 | SDS 2XX | 0.50 |
| HMNS SO230 + HMNS SO231 | SOCWK 220R | 0.50 |
| PSYC AS407 | PSYCH 257 | 0.50 |
| PSYCH SS156 | PSYCH 1XX | 0.50 |
| SSCI 10047 | SOC 101 | 0.50 |
| Program and general education electives | Up to 1.0 units of additional credits from electives | 1.00 |
| Total transferrable units | 7.0 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4U from high school, we would accept Mohawk College COMM 11040 OR COMM LL041 as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 13 units, equivalent to approximately five terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately 2.5 academic years (five full-time academic terms).
Niagara College
Niagara course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| COMM 1140 | ENGL 210F | 0.50 |
| COMM 1240 | ENGL 210F OR ENGL 2XX | 0.50 |
| SOCL 1430 | SDS 1XX | 0.50 |
| SOWK 1100 + SOWK 1200 + SOWK 1300 + SOWK 1400 | SOCWK 220R + SOCWK 2XX | 1.00 |
| SOCW 1103 + SOWK 1203 | SOCWK 221R | 0.50 |
| SOWK 1105 + SOWK 1205 + SOWK 1305 | SOCWK 120R + SOCWK 1XX | 1.00 |
| SOWK 1303 + SOWK 1401 | SOCWK 2XX | 0.50 |
| SOWK 1404 | MISC 1XX | 0.50 |
| Program and general education electives | Up to 0.5 units of additional credits from electives | 0.50 |
| Total transferrable units | 5.50 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4U from high school, we would accept Niagara College COMM 1140 as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 14.5 units, equivalent to approximately six terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately three academic years (six full-time academic terms).
Seneca College
Seneca course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| COM 101 | ENGL 109 | 0.50 |
| SLL 307 | SOC 101 | 0.50 |
| SSW 101 | SPCOM 100 | 0.50 |
| SSW 102 + SSW 147 | SOCWK 120R | 0.50 |
| SSW 136 | SDS 2XX | 0.50 |
| SSW 201 | SOCWK 221R | 0.50 |
| SSW 206 | SDS 150R | 0.50 |
| SSW 212 + SSW 312 | SOCWK 220R | 0.50 |
| SSW 227 | SOCWK 321R | 0.50 |
| SSW 401 | SOCWK 300R | 0.50 |
| SSW 402 | SOCWK 222R | 0.50 |
| Program and general education electives | Up to 2.0 units of additional credits from electives and option courses | 2.00 |
| Total transferrable units | 7.50 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4u from high school, we would accept Seneca College COM 101 (min 70%) as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 12.50 units, equivalent to approximately five terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately 2.5 academic years (five full-time academic terms).
Sheridan College
Sheridan course(s) |
Waterloo course equivalent/transfer credit |
Credit weight |
| COMM 19999 | ENGL 1XX | 0.50 |
| CSRV 13672 | SOCWK 301R | 0.50 |
| CSRV 14178 | MISC 1XX | 0.50 |
| CSRV 17062 | SOCWK 222R | 0.50 |
| CSRV 17749 + FLPL 16886 | SOCWK 120R | 0.50 |
| CSRV 20065 OR CSRV 20261 OR CSRV 24717 OR CSRV 27028 |
INDG 201 OR SOC 2XX OR SDS 358R OR ENGL 210G |
0.50 |
| CSRV 21011 | SDS 251R | 0.50 |
| CSRV 21425 | SOCWK 221R | 0.50 |
| CSRV 21618 | SOCWK 1XX | 0.50 |
| CSRV 39402 OR CSRV 22987 + CSRV 24947 |
SOCWK 2XX OR SOCWK 220R |
0.50 |
| CSRV 28263 | SDS 331R | 0.50 |
| PSYC 15065 | PSYCH 1XX | 0.50 |
| SOCS 16732 | SDS 150R | 0.50 |
| Program and general education electives | Up to 1.5 units of additional credits from electives | 1.5 |
| Total transferrable units | up to 8.0 |
Notes
- ENG4U is required for admission to Social Development Studies. If you do not have ENG4U from high school, we would accept Sheridan College COMM 19999 as an equivalent to meet our admission requirements.
- Credits that must be achieved to complete: 12.5 units, equivalent to approximately five terms. Students must complete all the requirements of the degree regardless of how many transfer credits are received.
- Normal schedule to complete the degree after transfer is approximately 2.5 academic years (five full-time academic terms).
