Social Work

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 250R Social Statistics
• SWREN 251R Social Research
• SWREN 300R Canadian Social Welfare Policy
• SWREN 321R Social Work with Families
• One of
  • SWREN 224R Poverty in Canada and its Social Consequences
  • SWREN 312R Homelessness and Public Policy
  • SWREN 331R Social Inequality, Social Justice, and Social Action
• One of
  • SWREN 301R Understanding Diversity in Canada
  • SWREN 349R Cross-Cultural Psychology
  • SWREN 311R Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Public Policy

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
• 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 321R Social Work with Families
• One of 
  • SOC 224R Poverty in Canada and its Social Consequences
  • SDS 312R Homelessness and Public Policy
  • SDS 331R Social Inequality, Social Justice, and Social Action
• One of 
  • SOCWK 301R Understanding Diversity in Canada
  • PSYCH 349R Cross-Cultural Psychology
  • SDS 311R Indigenous Peoples and Canadian Public Policy

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%.

Notes

1. 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. 
2. 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.

Further Information

For further information, visit the Bachelor of Social Work website or contact the School of Social Work.