Admission requirements to the 10-month Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program include the successful completion of either a three-year or four-year undergraduate university degree (Bachelor of Arts or equivalent) with a minimum overall average of 70% and at least 6.0 units in the social sciences, including 10 required prerequisite courses or their equivalents.
Applicants will be selected on a competitive basis, considering both academic and non-academic factors, including demonstration of relevant volunteer and/or employment experience, community participation, and professional suitability as well as proof of personal qualities such as reliability, co-operation and collaboration, and sensitivity to others and to social problems.
Entrance to the full-time program must be for the full academic year beginning in September. Entrance to the part-time program is available for September and January entry points.
Conditional Admission
Applicants may receive a conditional offer of admission to the BSW program and will be required to meet specific criteria to assure their place in the next available entry point.
Applicants with a Completed Bachelor of Arts Degree or Equivalent
Successful conditional admission applicants with a completed Bachelor of Arts degree (or equivalent) but who have not completed one or more of the BSW prerequisite courses will be given admission to the next available entry point to the Bachelor of Social Work program, conditional on successful completion of the prerequisite courses listed below with a minimum cumulative overall average in the courses of 75%.
Once admitted to the BSW program, conditional admission students must register for the prerequisite courses using the SWREN subject code.
Required Prerequisite Courses
SWREN 120R Introduction to Social Work
SWREN 220R Social Work with Individuals - Theory and Practice 1
SWREN 221R Social Group Work
SWREN 222R Community Organization
SWREN 224R Poverty in Canada and its Social Consequences or SWREN 312R Homelessness & Public Policy or SWREN 331R Social Inequality, Social Justice, and Social Action
SWREN 250R Social Statistics
SWREN 251R Social Research
SWREN 300R Canadian Social Welfare Policy
SWREN 301R Understanding Diversity in Canada or SWREN 349R Cross-Cultural Psychology or SWREN 311R Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Public Policy
SWREN 321R Social Work with Families
Applicants with a Completed Social Service Worker Diploma or Equivalent
Successful conditional admission applicants with a Social Service Worker diploma (or equivalent) with a minimum overall average of 75% will be given admission to the next available entry point to the Bachelor of Social Work program, conditional on successful completion of a Three-Year General Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Development Studies with a minimum overall average of 70%, including the completion of the prerequisite courses listed below with a minimum cumulative overall average in the courses of 75%.
Applicants with a completed Social Service Worker diploma (or equivalent) will be assessed for relevant transfer credit towards the Bachelor of Arts degree.
Required Prerequisite Courses (or Equivalents)
SDS 250R Social Statistics
SDS 251R Social Research
SOC 224R Poverty in Canada and its Social Consequences or SDS 312R Homelessness & Public Policy or SDS 331R Social Inequality, Social Justice, and Social Action
SOCWK 120R Introduction to Social Work
SOCWK 220R Social Work with Individuals - Theory and Practice 1
SOCWK 221R Social Group Work
SOCWK 222R Community Organization
SOCWK 300R Canadian Social Welfare Policy
SOCWK 301R Understanding Diversity in Canada or PSYCH 349R Cross-Cultural Psychology or SDS 311R Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Public Policy
SOCWK 321R Social Work with Families
Mature Students
Applicants who have completed a Bachelor of Arts degree (or equivalent) four or more years prior to
applying and who do not meet the required minimum 70% overall average may be considered for
admission to the Bachelor of Social Work program upon completion of the prerequisite courses with a
minimum cumulative overall average in the courses of 75%. For further information, contact the School of Social Work.
Notes
- Applicants who have taken courses equivalent to the required prerequisite courses should submit all documentation for course equivalency evaluation, including official transcripts and full course outlines to the Renison Registrar’s Office.
- Applicants must also demonstrate sufficient work and/or volunteer experience in the social services and professional suitability as evidenced by letters of reference and a personal statement. For further information, contact the School of Social Work.
Application Deadlines
Visit the School of Social Work website for application deadlines.
Application Procedures
Whether applying to the full-time or part-time BSW program, all applications must be submitted through OUAC using the School of Social Work application link.
For further information, visit the Bachelor of Social Work website.