BSW - How To Apply to our Part-Time Program

Step 1:  Complete your Bachelor of Social Work and pay a non-refundable application fee of $130 CAD. (CODE = WRW). 

Please note that the application can only be accessed through the above link, not from the OUAC home page.  

You will receive an acknowledgement email from Undergraduate Admissions within 10 business days of submitting your on-line application to OUAC, with instructions for logging in to QUEST to complete your Admission Information Form (AIF), upload your application materials and supporting documentation. Your Waterloo ID (identification) number will be assigned and sent to you in this e-mail. You should check your junk mail folder for these e-mails as many e-mail programs put mass mailings in junk mail folders.

Part time BSW application for Winter 2025 will open May 21, 2024.

Step 2: Upon receipt of your acknowledgement e-mail, your next step is to log in to QUEST to submit* your Social Work Admission Information Form (AIF), including contact details for your THREE referees** (1 academic and 2 professional). This should be done by the AIF deadline, (July 23, 2024) but we strongly encourage applicants to submit their AIF as early as they can in order to give their referees as much time as possible.

*NOTE: you do not have to upload any documents when you submit your AIF. 

**NOTE: 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 (eg, social worker, religious leader, doctor, psychiatrist or similar community-based professional). The deadline for references is August 6, 2024. 

Step 3: Please tell us about your interest in social work

Social work practice is guided by seven values found in the Guidelines for Ethical Practice and Code of Ethics. We encourage you to review these documents to familiarize yourself with these values prior to completing Part A.

Central to social work practice is the pursuit of social justice for individuals, families, groups, and communities. Social workers promote social fairness and the equitable distribution of resources, and act to reduce barriers and expand choice for all persons, with special regard for those who are marginalized, disadvantaged, or vulnerable. Social workers oppose prejudice and discrimination against any person or group of persons, on any grounds, and specifically challenge views and actions that stereotype particular persons or groups (CASW, 2015).

1. Thinking about social work’s commitment to the pursuit of social justice, what is one change that you want to see in the world? (500 word max.)
2. How could a degree in social work support your participation in this change? (500 word max.)
3. Tell us how your own strengths, skills, and experiences (e.g., volunteer, work, and lived experience) influence your interest and participation in the profession of social work. (500 word max.)

Your personal statement must be uploaded on Quest and saved as a PDF and be no larger than 3000KB. Your personal statement is due August 6, 2023.

For more information on uploading your document please see this link: https://uwaterloo.ca/quest/help/students/how-do-i/application-documents.

Step 4: Upload your application materials and supporting documentation including:

• Unofficial transcripts* (post-secondary) 
• Personal statement
• Resume

*If you requested your transcripts via OUAC, you do not have to upload additional copies. Check Quest to ensure we have received all your supporting documents.

• All supporting documentation including  transcripts, personal statement, and resume must be uploaded to Quest by August 6, 2023.
• Important note about transcripts: University of Waterloo/Renison students do not have to submit their Waterloo transcripts, and high school transcripts are NOT required.