How to become a Social Worker

Registration with the provincial regulatory body for the area you wish to practice (e.g. OCSWSSW for Ontario) is required to work as a Registered Social Worker (RSW). Registrants require (at minimum) either a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) and/or a Master of Social Work (MSW) degree.

Below is one example of this education journey using the degree options available through Renison. 

Three steps from BA to BSW and MSW

Complete your Social Development Studies (SDS) degree and graduate with a three-year general or four-year honours Bachelor of Arts degree. 

TIP: Students are able to apply to Renison's post-degree BSW with either SDS degree option above, pending other admission requirements. Completing an Honours BA degree opens up further doors to apply directly to 2year MSW programs (not currently available through Renison) or other graduate degrees.

Apply to either the 10-month/on-site/full-time or 2-year/hybrid/part-time Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) degree cohorts. Complete over 700 hours of practicum-based learning alongside social work curriculum towards future registration with your desired regulatory body.

With a completed BSW, you're eligible to apply to our one-year online* Master of Social Work (MSW) program. This presents an opportunity to add a third degree to broaden your horizons and career possibilities. 

*Note: Paid and unpaid social work practice experience is considered in the admission process. The program is online except for a one week summit held in-person at Renison in August. For more information please see the School of Social Work website. 

Interested in the Bachelor of Social Work? 

How you apply depends on your education path:

I am a high school student / recent graduate

  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.

I am a college student / recent graduate

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 that serve as foundation for the BSW curriculum. Enrolling in Social Development Studies (BA) will allow you to obtain your degree and complete these prerequisites easier. You may also likely be eligible for transfer credits towards your degree and "fast-track" completion of SDS. 

  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 UW Admissions Committee will evaluate these transcripts; 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 (equal to 15 term courses) 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.

I am a University of Waterloo student
  1. Declare Social Development Studies as your major for easier access to the 7 BSW prerequisite courses.
  2. Apply to the BSW in your final year of Social Development Studies or after graduation. Review the Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) website for more detailed admission criteria. Note that work or volunteer experience related to the field of social work and/or populations you'd like to work with can support a stronger application.

I have completed an undergraduate degree

  1. Review the Bachelor of Social Work admission requirements.
  2. Ensure you have at least 4 of the following 7 prerequisite courses (or their approved equivalents - check with the School of Social Work) completed or in-progress at the time of any BSW application.
    1. Applicants who wish to have external courses evaluated for equivalency of the 7 prerequisite courses should contact BSW Admissions prior to submitting an application: renison.bswadmissions@uwaterloo.ca. This process can take up to 2 weeks or longer to be completed.  

I am a mature student

Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree (or equivalent) four or more years prior to applying and who do not meet the minimum required 70% overall  average may be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work  Program upon completion of the prerequisite courses with a cumulative overall average in the courses of at least 75%. Please contact Keri Raif Sura for further information: kraif@uwaterloo.ca 

 Learn more about how to become a Social Worker