Renison is the Anglican-supported college on the University of Waterloo campus. Affiliated with the University, it registers students in Academic Plans of the Faculty of Arts, including its own Social Development Studies plan. A Diploma of General Studies in Social Work and, as a supplement to the diploma, a Certificate in Studies of Child Abuse are also available. Renison also offers a post-BA Honours Bachelor of Social Work program.
The College offers courses in Social Work, Psychology, Sociology, and Interdisciplinary Social Science for its Social Development Studies plan. This multidisciplinary Major is designed for students interested in such helping professions as social work, teaching, the ministry, and law. Students who complete the requirements receive the BA of the University.
To serve students who will have business and cultural contacts with the nations of the Far East and those who will be travelling to the area, Renison offers a collection of courses in East Asian Studies, including East Asian Culture, and Chinese (Mandarin), Japanese, and Korean languages. The College also offers a Diploma in East Asian Studies, which may be combined with most other study plans.
Besides courses in Social Development Studies and East Asian Studies, the College offers courses in English, English Language Teaching (see Arts), ESL, Fine Arts, History, and Religious Studies. Renison College faculty members and courses are indicated by an "R" in this Calendar.
The School of Social Work at Renison College offers a ten-month (regular stream) and three-year (alternate stream) post-BA Honours Bachelor of Social Work program which prepares generalist social work practitioners to provide services to a broad range of populations at all systems levels. It is designed for BA graduates with the requisite social work and social science courses. It is based on contemporary social work theory and practice and includes a community-based field practicum. Courses provide an in-depth examination of the history, theoretical background, and practice of social work. The Honours Bachelor of Social Work program is accredited (2002-2007) by the Canadian Association of Schools of Social Work.
Renison accommodates 220 men and women in its residences. Its multi-cultural and multi-faith student body enjoys the strong sense of community and individual attention that a small college can provide as well as all the advantages of a major university. Both academic day students and residents are encouraged to participate in a wide range of activities including student government, athletics, semi-formals, and community dinners.