How can I get a BSW?

The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) is a 10-month (3 terms) full-time, or 2 to 3-years part-time, program for anyone who is looking to make a career in Social Work.

We understand that students who are interested in this degree can come from a variety of educational backgrounds, making the pathway toÌýobtaining a BSW unique for each of you. This pathways page is designed to help you understand how you can attain a BSW degree from Renison.

The School of Social Work seeks to reflect a diverse student population and welcomes applications from qualified individuals of all ages, gender identities, cultural, racial, ethnic, and religious backgrounds, sexual orientations, and abilities.

If you have anyÌýquestions, please contact:ÌýRenison School of Social Work.Ìý

BSW Information Session

Currently in High School?

Already completed a College Diploma?

Mature Student?

Already completed an undergraduate (BA) degree?

Already a UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ student?

Currently in High School

  1. Apply toÌýSocial Development StudiesÌý(SDS) at Renison in your final year of high-school.ÌýFor admission toÌýSDS, you need: a minimum of 70%Ìýin Grade 12Ìý4UÌýEnglish and an overall average of at least 80% in your top 6 U/M course (your grade 12Ìý4UÌýEnglish mark will be included in this average).Ìý
  2. Choose ‘Social Work’ as your specialization if admitted to Social Development Studies. This will ensure you take theÌý7Ìý±è°ù±ð-°ù±ð±ç³Ü¾±²õ¾±³Ù±ðÌýcoursesÌýnecessary to apply for theÌýBSW.
  3. Apply to theÌýBSWÌýin your final year of Social Development Studies. Entrance is based 50% on grades, 50% on a personal statement and references. Check out theÌýBSWÌýwebsiteÌýfor more detailedÌýadmission criteria.
  4. Please contact Grant LeachÌýfor inquiries regarding Social Development Studies.

Already completed a College Diploma?

  1. ​​​​Apply toÌýSocial Development StudiesÌý(SDS) at Renison.Ìý

For admission toÌýSDS, you need:Ìý

  • From a 1 year diploma
    • Do you meet the admission requirements from high school (see above)? If yes, the only requirement is that you have attained at least a 75% overall in your diploma.
    • If no, you need to have taken 1 or 2 English/Communications courses in college and attained a 75% or higher. You will also need at least an 85% overall average in your diploma.
  • From a 2 or 3 year diploma
    • Do you meet the admission requirements from high school (see above)? If yes, the only requirement is that you have attained at least aÌý75% overall in your diploma.
    • If no, you need to have taken 1 or 2 English/Communications courses in college and attained a 75% or higher. You will also need at least a 75% overall average in your diploma.
  • From a private college
    • The University of À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ does not consider any grades attained in a private college. If you have graduated from a diploma program at a private college, your high school marks will be looked at for admission purposes. You will need a minimum of 75% in Grade 12Ìý4UÌýEnglish and an overall average of at least 80% in your top 6 U/M course (your 12Ìý4UÌýEnglish mark will be included in this average).Ìý
    • If you did not take any U courses in high school, you will need to upgrade at least 6 courses (one of those being grade 12Ìý4UÌýEnglish).
  1. Choose ‘Social Work’ as your specialization. This will ensure you take theÌý7 pre-requisiteÌýcoursesÌýnecessary to apply for theÌýBSW.
  2. ÌýApply to theÌýBSWÌýin your final year of Social Development Studies. Entrance is based 50% on grades, 50% on a personal statement and references. Check out theÌýBSW websiteÌýfor more detailedÌýadmission criteria. You may also contactÌýGrant LeachÌýfor informationÌýregarding the Social Development Studies program.Ìý

For more information about theÌýBSW program contact:ÌýKeri Raif Sura

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% overallÌý average may be considered for admission to the Bachelor of Social WorkÌý Program upon completion of the prerequisite courses withÌýa cumulative overall average in the courses of at least 75%.

For further information contact Keri Raif Sura:Ìýkraif@uwaterloo.ca

  1. Apply toÌýSocial Development StudiesÌý(SDS) at Renison.

For admission toÌýSDS, you need: a minimum of 70% in Grade 12Ìý4UÌýEnglish and an overall average of at least 80% in your top 6 U/MÌýcourse (your 12Ìý4UÌýEnglish mark will be included in this average).

If you did not take any U/MÌýcourses in high school, see this link:ÌýMature Student Admission.

  1. Choose ‘Social Work’ as your specialization. This will ensure you take theÌý7Ìýpre-requisiteÌýsocial workÌýcoursesÌýnecessary to apply for theÌýBSW.
  2. Apply to theÌýBSWÌýin your final year of Social Development Studies. Entrance is based 50% on grades, 50% on a personal statement and references. Check out theÌýBSWÌýwebsiteÌýfor more detailedÌýadmission criteria.

Already completed an undergraduate (BA) degree?

  1. You must haveÌýsuccessfullyÌýcompleted either a three-year or four-year undergraduate university degree (Bachelor of Arts or equivalent), from an accredited university, with a 70% average and at least 6.0 academic units (12 one-semester courses) in the social sciences, including seven of the prerequisite courses listed below or their equivalents. You must also demonstrate sufficient practical experience and personal suitability as evidenced by letters of reference and a personal statement.
  2. You must have completed 7 pre-requisite courses, or their equivalents:
  1. Qualified applicants who already possess aÌýBAÌý(or equivalent) degree from an accredited university, but who lack one or more of the prerequisite courses* for admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program, may be eligible for Conditional Admission. Upon successful completion of the prerequisite courses, with grades of at least 75%, applicants will be given admission to the next available entry point of the Bachelor of Social Work program.

*Applicants can continue working on outstanding prerequisite courses during the application process by applying for admission as Arts Non-degree/Post-degree students. For further information please contactÌýGrant Leach.Ìý

  1. Applicants who wish to have courses evaluated for equivalency for the seven prerequisite courses should contact Grant LeachÌýfor information. It is recommended that prospective applicants start this inquiry prior to submitting their application.Ìý

Information for a pre-admission assessment includes:

  • a copy of your transcript along with detailed course outlines (including assignments and bibliography) indicating for which Renison prerequisite courses you are requesting the equivalency

Send the information to:

Renison University College
240ÌýWestmountÌýRoad North
À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ, ON,ÌýN2LÌý3G4Ìý
Attention: Grant Leach

Already a UÀ¶Ý®ÊÓƵ student?

  1. DeclareÌýSDSÌýas your major.
  2. Choose ‘Social Work’ as your specialization. This will ensure you take theÌý7Ìý±è°ù±ð-°ù±ð±ç³Ü¾±²õ¾±³Ù±ðÌýcoursesÌýnecessary to apply for theÌýBSW.Ìý
  3. Apply to theÌýBSWÌýin your final year of Social Development Studies. Entrance is based 50% on grades, 50% on a personal statement and references. Check out theÌýBSWÌýwebsiteÌýfor more detailedÌýadmission criteria.