BSW Info Session - 2024

Full-time & Part-time BSW programs

Land Acknowledgement

The School of SociaI Work respectfully acknowledges its presence on the traditional territory of the Attawandaron (Neutral), Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples. The University of Waterloo is situated on the Haldimand Tract, the land promised to the Six Nations that includes ten kilometers on each side of the Grand River.

The School of Social Work prepares social work practitioners through an accessible and inclusive curriculum, at both baccalaureate and masters levels, in a learning environment that fosters caring and ethical social work practice within a local and global context. The School is committed to positive social change through the principles of justice, equity and respect for diversity.

• Bachelor of Social Work Program (Honours)

• Full-Time

  • Ten-months (September – June)

  • Classes are held on campus all day Thursdays and Fridays

  • Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays are spent in placement

• Part-Time

  • Two years

  • Classes are offered as Blended Learning – primary online with a mandatory in class portions (1-3)

  • Placement days : Minimum 2 seven-hour days per week (M-F during business hours) to be discussed with your Field Education Coordinator

• Successful completion of either a 3-year or 4-year undergraduate university degree

  • with a minimum 70% average

• At least 6.0 academic course units in the social sciences

  • including 7 of the following courses or their equivalents:

• Resume

• Three References

  • 1 academic, 2 professional

    • The academic reference must be from an instructor who has taught you in one or more courses

    • The professional references can be sought from any of the following: an employment supervisor, a volunteer supervisor, a helping professional (e.g., social worker, religious leader, doctor, psychiatrist, or a similar community-based professional)

• Personal Statement

  • complete and submit a (PDF) personal statement of approximately 1500 words prepared according to this outline:

    • Tell us how your own strengths and skills will impact your Social Work learning and practise? (approximately 250 words)

    • What are some of the systemic obstacles that you have faced? What are some of the ways you have you overcome these obstacles? (approximately 250 words)

    • How have you been a leader? What did you learn from this experience? (approximately 250 words)

    • Who is/are your community/ies? How do you give and receive support in this/these community/ies? (approximately 250 words)

• Applicants who wish to have courses evaluated for equivalency for the seven prerequisite courses should contact Lyndsay Masters
• It is recommended that prospective applicants start this inquiry prior to submitting their application.
• Information for a pre-admission assessment includes:
  • A copy of your transcript
  • Detailed course outlines (including assignments and bibliographies) indicating for which Renison pre-requisite courses you are requesting the equivalency.

• Successful completion of the following courses with a cumulative overall average of at least 75%:

• Successful completion of the following practicum courses:
  • SWREN 441R, 442R, and 443R
  • A choice of one of the following academic elective courses:

Full-time

• BSW students are assigned to a field practicum in a social work community agency/organization for three days a week for the full three semesters of the BSW program.

Part-time

• Part-time students fulfill their requirements based on a mutually agrees upon schedule with their placement which must be a minimum of two days per week.

Please note: Students do not find their own placement.

Most practicum agencies require that students have a driver's license and access to a vehicle.

Proof of immunization or a police check may be required. 

• Some of the partner agencies that recruit our students include:
  • Big Brothers, Big Sisters
  • Children’s Aid Societies
  • Canadian Mental Health Association
  • Camino
  • The Working Centre
  • House of Friendship
  • Lang’s
  • Lutherwood
  • St. Joseph’s Health Care Centres
  • Thresholds (formerly known as Waterloo Regional Homes for Mental Health)

Whether you are applying for the full-time or part-time BSW program, all applicants must follow this ONLINE application procedure:

• Apply through the Ontario Universities’ Application Centre (OUAC) via the ‘How to Apply’ websites:
  • Full-time
  • Part-time (opens May 12th, 2025)
• The entire process is completed ONLINE. No supporting documents should be delivered/mailed to us.

School of Social Work

BSW Admission

or Contact:

• Keri Raif Sura - Administrator and Student Services Manager
• 519-884-4404 x 28698