How to become a Social Worker

1. Apply to Social Development Studies (SDS) at Renison in your final year of high school. 
   1. Please note you can pursue a 3-Year General Social Development Studies degree or a 4-Year Honours Social Development Studies degree.
2. Ensure you take the 7 prerequisite courses necessary to apply for the BSW.
3. Apply to the BSW in your final year of Social Development Studies. Review the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) website for more detailed admission criteria.

Our Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a post-degree program, which requires a previous Bachelor's degree and the completion of 7 prerequisite courses. Enrolling in Social Development Studies (BA) will allow you to obtain your degree and complete your prerequisites in order to start the BSW in a few years. You would also likely be eligible for transfer credits towards your degree. 

1. Apply to Social Development Studies 
   • Transfer credits will only be assessed once a formal application for admission has been submitted and official transcripts from your previous school have been received.  The Admissions Committee will evaluate your transcripts, and upon admission, transfer credits may be awarded for courses in which you received a 70% or higher.  A maximum of 10.0 units (equal to 20 term courses) may be granted for the 4-year SDS program options; a maximum of 7.5 units may be granted for the 3-year SDS General option.
2. Ensure you take the 7 prerequisite courses necessary to apply for the BSW.
3. Apply to the BSW in your final year of Social Development Studies. Review the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) website for more detailed admission criteria.

Social Service Worker Pathway:

Social Service Worker graduates can now apply for conditional admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program at the University of Waterloo. Admission is conditional based on the completion of an undergraduate degree in Social Development Studies.

Learn more about this pathway

1. Declare Social Development Studies as your major.
2. Ensure you take the 7 prerequisite courses necessary to apply for the BSW. 
3. Apply to the BSW in your final year of Social Development Studies. Review the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) website for more detailed admission criteria.

1. Review the Bachelor of Social Work admission requirements.
2. Ensure you meet all requirements, including the completion of the following 7 prerequisite 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 Social Action 
   • SOCWK 300R  Canadian Social Welfare Policy
   • SOCWK 301R   Understanding Diversity in Canada OR PSYCH 349R (formerly PSYCH 222R) Cross-Cultural Psychology OR SDS 311R Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Public Policy 
   • SOCWK 321R   Social Work with Families
3. Applicants who wish to have courses evaluated for equivalency of the 7 prerequisite courses should contact Jennifer Lin for information. It is recommended that prospective applicants start this inquiry prior to submitting their application. 

4. If you meet all admission requirements, apply to the Bachelor of Social Work program.