Social Development Studies at University of Waterloo

Programme overview

Leads to the Bachelor of Arts in Social Development Studies. Learn how human interactions are influenced by individual, collective, and structural forces such as mental health, social relationships, economic conditions, education and politics, and movements for social justice and social change. Through courses in areas such as psychology, sociology, and social work, you'll gain a toolkit for understanding individuals and communities – and the systems that shape them. Dive deeper by including paid co-op work terms to explore potential careers, adding a minor or second major, or pursuing opportunities such as research and an honours thesis on a topic of personal interest. Available in the regular system of study or the co-op system.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts | Study mode: full-time | Location: Waterloo, Ontario, Canada

What you will study

About half of the classes you’ll take will be SDS courses. With your remaining classes, you can choose electives from many of the 100 subject areas at Waterloo. Sample upper-year courses include Theories of Individual Counselling Psychology, Adult Life Crises and Events, Social Work with Families, Educational Equity in Canada.

Career pathways

With a degree in Social Development Studies (SDS), you’re not stuck on one track – your options are wide open. You might work in advocacy, research, education, social work, or health care.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Ontario applicants: Six Grade 12 U and/or M courses including English 4U (minimum final grade of 70% is required); Admission average: low 80s; Mathematics of Data Management is recommended as a helpful background for the program; Search our admission requirements for Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business; Learn about transfer credit pathways from college Social Service Worker programs. How to apply: Apply to Honours Arts or Honours Arts and Business and choose Social Development Studies as your major at the end of first year.

Tuition is charged per credit, so the total depends on the courses you register for each year. Current fees are listed in the official fee schedule.

First-year students are admitted for the September (fall) term only. Terms: fall (September to December), winter (January to April), spring (May to August). Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies can start in the winter, spring or fall term.

Applications for September 2027 entry close on 1 February 2027 for programs other than Engineering (documents due 15 February 2027) and on 15 January 2027 for Engineering programs other than Architecture (documents due 1 February 2027). International students have the same deadlines. Full-time applicants apply through the Ontario Universities' Application Centre (OUAC).

Part-time, online, post-degree and non-degree studies: winter 2027 applications close 30 October 2026 for degree and non-degree (13 November 2026 for post-degree); spring 2027 applications close 26 February 2027 for degree and non-degree (12 March 2027 for post-degree). Optometry closes 12 November 2026 and Pharmacy closes 6 January 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://uwaterloo.ca/future-students/admissions/how-to-apply

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