Join a respected, regulated profession focused on eliminating inequality, inequity, and other conditions that disadvantage people within local and global contexts. The Bachelor of Social Work (BSW) program is an accredited, direct-entry program – meaning you start your social work studies in the first year! 

Offered exclusively at Laurier Brantford, social work students receive specialized training and education in the assessment, treatment and support of individuals, families and communities. As a social worker, you’ll respond to social issues like racism, poverty, displacement and violence while advocating for social justice, human rights, and fair access to health and social services.

Ontario High School Admission Requirements:

• Average admission range: mid 80s
• English at 60%

Students applying to this program from a Canadian province outside of Ontario are encouraged to review our course equivalents by province chart. This chart will show you what courses from your province are equivalent to the admission requirements listed under the Ontario High School Admission Requirements section.

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum must present the following:

• Average admission range: mid 80s
• Senior or grade 12 English at 60%

Students applying to this program from an international curriculum are encouraged to review our curriculum-specific requirements. You will find which courses from your country's curriculum are equivalent to the admission requirements listed above. If your country or curriculum is not listed, please reach out to [email protected].

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (Internet Based) or DuoLingo or International English Language Testing System (academic or immigration) or Pearson Test of English (Academic)

If you've completed studies at another college or university, you may be eligible to transfer into Wilfrid Laurier University's Social Work (BSW) program. Because this program is considered competitive, it requires outstanding academic achievement in college courses and the required high school courses. Space for transfer students is subject to availability based on the number and calibre of applicants.

To find out if you can transfer into this program, we encourage you to:

1. Review our transfer admission requirements to find the criteria that applies to your unique situation, including information about transfer credits and academic requirements.
2. Explore our transfer pathway opportunities, including our 2+2 Social Service Worker and 3+3 Child and Youth Care pathways, to see how your previous studies may count toward this program.

Students who have already completed an undergraduate degree are not eligible for this program. Instead, consider exploring our Masters of Social Work (MSW) program. If you need to complete additional courses to be admissible to the MSW program, consider applying to Post-Degree studies at Wilfrid Laurier University. Once completed, you can apply to the MSW program.

Note: If you're transferring from Social Service Worker or Child and Youth Care to Social Work diploma programs and wish to complete the Teaching Option, be aware that you'll need to take extra courses, which may lengthen the time needed to complete the BSW program.