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Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree

University of Waterloo · Renison University College on the University of Waterloo campus.

Social Work and Community Practice: blue ink subject illustration
Image source

AI-generated ink illustration

Conceptual study artwork, not a photograph of teaching facilities.

Unidex · generated with ImageGen

Checked 2026-11-05

Symbolic subject artwork; no university facility depicted

Deadlines

November 2026

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Next deadline

  • OUAC. Ontario high schools report midterm/final 4U/M grades

    2027 entry

    School deadline, not a student task. Universities receive these grades by November 26. Verbatim: "Deadline for the OUAC to receive all midterm or final grades available for 4U/M courses from Ontario high schools. Schools may report in-progress grades for full-year courses as soon as they are available." Universities receive these by the target date of November 26, 2026. This is a deadline on the high school, not on the student, but it governs which grades a university sees in the first round.

    Official deadline
Other deadline details
No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by programOUAC Undergraduate application, applicants who are not Ontario high school students (Group B)2026 entry
  • No single OUAC deadline, deadlines are set by each university and sometimes by program
  • No single OUAC deadline
  • University, program, transcript, portfolio, interview, and audition dates still apply
Full source wording

Verbatim: "There is no specific Undergraduate application deadline if you are a Group B applicant. Deadlines vary at each university and sometimes depend on the program. Visit the university websites or contact the universities directly for their deadlines. If you are interested in a program but the deadline has passed, you may contact the university's admission office for help. Be aware of university-specific deadlines for submitting transcripts and portfolios, if required, and for arranging interviews and auditions. You must ensure the OUAC has enough time to process your choices before the universities' program deadlines." OUAC defines Group B as anyone who does not meet the Group A criteria, e.g. not currently taking an Ontario high school course, a Canadian outside Ontario, an international applicant, a postsecondary transfer student, or a mature applicant.

SourceChecked

Requirements

Admission requirements

High-school prerequisites
  • Any Grade 12 U English70% min.
  • Complete a high-school diploma and six Grade 12 U or M courses, including the English requirement.
  • The direct-entry route is delivered at Renison University College.
Waterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admission
Application steps
  1. Step 1Check the admission requirements
    • Check the published entry route for your applicant category.
    Waterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admissionWaterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admission
  2. Step 2Apply through OUAC
    • Create your application and select this program.
    OUACOUAC
  3. Step 3Declaration of Academic Experience (DAE)
    • Complete the DAE in the Waterloo applicant portal. It updates your checklist with any required documents.
    Waterloo required documentsWaterloo required documents
  4. Step 4Apply directly through OUAC using WSS.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    Waterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admissionWaterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admission
  5. Step 5Complete the Declaration of Academic Experience and submit the items shown in your applicant checklist.
    • Complete this item using the university’s applicant instructions.
    Waterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admissionWaterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admission
Applicant pathways
British Columbia high school with AP

British Columbia secondary students taking AP courses

  • English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 · minimum 70
Waterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree · British Columbia high school with AP requirements
Alberta high school

Alberta secondary students

  • English Language Arts 30-1 · minimum 70
Waterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree · Alberta high school requirements
IB Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma applicants

  • HL or SL English A - minimum 4 or HL English B - minimum 5. total 27
Waterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree · IB Diploma requirements

Degree requirements

Required courses and electives
  • Complete 25.0 units: 8.0 in Social Development Studies, 9.5 in Social Work and 7.5 elective units.
  • Meet the BA breadth and undergraduate communication requirements.
ReferencesWaterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirementsWaterloo Social Development Studies and Bachelor of Social Work Double DegreeRenison Fall 2027 SDS and BSW direct-entry cohort and degree checklistsWaterloo course calendar · PSYCH101RWaterloo calendar · ARTS160
Grades and academic standing
  • Maintain a cumulative average of at least 60% overall, at least 70% in required and approved PSYCH, SDS, SOC and SOCWK courses, and at least 75% in the specified Social Work course group.
ReferencesWaterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirementsWaterloo Social Development Studies and Bachelor of Social Work Double DegreeRenison Fall 2027 SDS and BSW direct-entry cohort and degree checklistsWaterloo course calendar · PSYCH101RWaterloo calendar · ARTS160
Work and practical requirements
  • Complete SWREN 444R and SWREN 445R for the 720-hour field practicum.
ReferencesWaterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirementsWaterloo Social Development Studies and Bachelor of Social Work Double DegreeRenison Fall 2027 SDS and BSW direct-entry cohort and degree checklistsWaterloo course calendar · PSYCH101RWaterloo calendar · ARTS160

Program facts

Entering average~Low 80s

Published Ontario guidance for Renison’s direct-entry WSS route.

Waterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admissionWaterloo Social Development Studies and Social Work Double Degree Ontario secondary school admission
Work experienceRequired 720-hour field practicum
Waterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirementsCheck work experience options

Majors & specializations

Fall 2027 direct entry through WSS, delivered at Renison University College.

Diversity and Equity

BA (Honours) and BSW (Honours)

Study power, privilege, diversity and equity in social development.

Published requirementsPublished courses

Courses

Published Honours double-degree requirements and Renison’s first-year sample. Confirm your cohort’s timetable in Quest.

1A · Fall sample3 listed

The sample also includes a first-year social work course and an elective.

Waterloo Social Development Studies and Bachelor of Social Work Double Degree
1B · Winter sample1 listed

The sample also includes one SDS foundation course, a first-year social work course and an elective.

Waterloo Social Development Studies and Bachelor of Social Work Double Degree
First-year social work foundations2 listed

Both are required in the published degree plan. The sample allows either order in the fall and winter.

Waterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirements
First-year social development foundations2 listed

Both are required in the published degree plan. The winter sample schedules one.

Waterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirements
Social Development Studies requirements7 listed

Complete the required SDS and Social Work courses and one equivalent from each psychology and sociology group.

Waterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirements
Social Work requirements11 listed

The remaining named SWREN courses in the Honours double degree.

Waterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirements
Social Work required choice3 listed

Choose one of the three approved Social Work courses.

Waterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirements
Field practicum2 listed

Complete both practicum courses for a total of 720 field hours.

Waterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirements
Approved Social Development Studies choices34 listed

Complete 3.0 approved units at the 200 level or above. At least 1.5 units must be SDS and at least 1.5 must be at the 400 level or above.

Waterloo Honours BA Social Development Studies and Honours BSW Double Degree requirements
Elective choices
  • Complete 7.5 elective units. The degree also requires 3.0 approved SDS-related units under the separate subject and level rules.
Study routes

Fall 2027 direct entry through WSS, delivered at Renison University College.

  • Honours BA in Social Development Studies and Honours BSW
Study locations
Teaching campus
Renison University College on the University of Waterloo campus.Waterloo undergraduate admissions: Social Development Studies and Social Work double degree

Careers

Career examples

  • Social worker
  • Child welfare and family services
  • Community development coordinator
Scope and qualifications

Social workers must meet the applicable registration requirements before practising in Ontario.

Examples published for the Renison direct-entry double degree.

Professional recognition

Renison describes the social work component of the double degree as accredited. CASWE-ACFTS lists the Renison Bachelor of Social Work.

Scope and qualifications

Examples published for the Renison direct-entry double degree.

AccreditationAdditional verified programme outcomesOntario College of Social Workers and Social Service Workers registration routesCanadian Association for Social Work Education accreditation directoryRenison's accreditation statement for the SDS/BSW double degreeCASWE-ACFTS accreditation directory, July 7, 2026

Costs

Social Development Studies and Social Work

Published cost estimate

Fall 2027 entry · First year · CAD

Ontario example · Choose your category

TuitionAwaiting published fees
Books and suppliesAwaiting published estimate
Residence
Not estimated
Meal plan
Not estimated
Estimated subtotalNot available

Renison’s first-year double-degree estimate is pending.

Housing and meals are outside this estimate.

Last updated

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