Social Development Studies (SDS)
Description
Welcome to Social Development Studies
Social Development Studies (SDS) is a Bachelor of Arts major offering courses in human and social development through psychology, sociology, and social work perspectives. The degree can be done entirely online, on-campus, or with a mix of modalities.
Students develop skills in critical thinking, problem solving, interpersonal relations, leadership, civic engagement, and global citizenship. With a University of Waterloo degree and an SDS major, graduates attain an excellent foundation for graduate studies, professional programs, and careers in human and public service.
Current Students
Social Development Studies is an interdisciplinary social science program with courses covering topics in social work, psychology, sociology, education, and associated topics.
Students can pursue an SDS major (12-16 courses) with optional specialization(s) (5-6 courses), or a an SDS minor (8 courses). Co-op is available for students in the Honours major plan, pending requirements.
Academic Programs
SDS students can pursue any of the following degree plans on-campus, online, or a mix of both:
- SDS Major (4 year plans, General and Honours)
40 total courses, 16 major courses
- SDS Major (3 year plan, General)
30 total courses, 12 major courses
- SDS Minor
8 total courses
To learn more about these academic plans, visit the Undergraduate Calendar and our Checklists webpage.
SDS Major students can also access any of our 5 specializations:
- Social Work
- Education
- Individual Well-being and Development
- Diversity and Equity*
- Social Policy and Social Action*
*on-campus only
Courses
Social Development Studies is an interdisciplinary social science major combining courses from social work (SOCWK), psychology (PSYCH), sociology (SOC), and the department's own courses (SDS). Many courses are offered online, but not guaranteed to be online in every term.
SDS courses
SOCWK courses
SOCWK courses
Social Work courses at the undergraduate level (SOCWK) are not the same courses for Renison's Bachelor of Social Work program (SWREN). Some SOCWK courses do save seats for specific students under an SWREN cross-listing, but if in the SDS major be sure to choose only SOCWK codes (not SWREN).
Only specific PSYCH and SOC courses count for SDS plans.
TIP: If a PSYCH or SOC course has "R" in the code, it's a Renison-owned course that will count for most SDS plans. If if doesn't have an "R" in the code but is cross-listed (e.g. PSYCH 101/101R; see notes) and in the list below, it will still count.
Online SDS Courses
Many SDS-counted courses are available online, but are not guaranteed to be offered online every term. See the Centre for Extended Learning's website for up-to-date scheduled offerings.
The online 400lvl courses are SDS 400R, SDS 405R, SDS 425R, and PSYCH 444R. The department aims to offer two in fall and winter terms and at least one in spring terms.
SDS
- SDS 131R
- SDS 150R
- SDS 210R
- SDS 220R
- SDS 250R
- SDS 251R
- SDS 331R
- SDS 350R
- SDS 355R
- SDS 357R
- SDS 358R
- SDS 400R
- SDS 405R
- SDS 425R
SOCWK
- SOCWK 120R
- SOCWK 220R
- SOCWK 221R
- SOCWK 222R
- SOCWK 300R
- SOCWK 301R
- SOCWK 321R
SOC
- SOC 101 (main campus)
- SOC 204R
- SOC 207R
PSYCH
- PSYCH 101 (main campus)
- PSYCH 213R (offer TBD)
- PSYCH 253 (main campus)
- PSYCH 312 (main campus)
- PSYCH 354R/PSYCH 354
- PSYCH 356R/PSYCH 356
- PSYCH 444R
Notes
- Final grades for all courses that count within the major (SDS, SOCWK, some PSYCH and SOC) will contribute to a student's SDS plan average (with the exception of no PSYCH 101/101R and SOC 101/101R for the SDS minor).
- Wondering what a course is like? Visit our Course Outlines page to view recent syllabi (subject to change each term).
- Some courses require their own application to be enrolled in because they are not standard lectures or seminars: SDS/SOCWK/PSYCH/SOC 398R, 399R, 490R, SDS 495R, SDS 496R, and SDS 499A/B.
- Courses with "/" are cross-listed; this is only one course but has 2 or more codes, where either code counts for the credit.
- Special Topics courses (e.g. SDS 450R) highlight unique content not covered in other SDS courses and topics may change term to term. Students can take SDS 450R up to three time if the topics are different. SDS 450R (among others) is listed in most SDS specializations, but currently only "Comparative and International Education" is an approved topic (towards the Education specialization). If you have questions contact your academic advisor.
Note: Check with the institution regarding start/ end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Related Courses
- Children's Rights in Canada
- Introductory Psychology
- Social Psychology
- Learning Disabilities
- Interpersonal Relations
- Personality
- Political Ideologies and Social Development
- Lifespan Processes
- Changing Concepts of Childhood
- Social Statistics
- Social Research
- Social Inequality, Social Justice, and Social Action
- Adult Life Crises and Events
- Resilience and Social Support
- Family Violence
- Child Maltreatment: Identification and Prevention
- Comparative Social Policy
- Introduction to Social Work
- Social Work with Individuals - Theory and Practice 1
- Community Organization
- Canadian Social Welfare Policy
- Social Work with Families
- Introduction to Sociology
- Sociology of Adolescence
- Sociology of Education
- Poverty in Canada and its Social Consequences
Overview
- Institution: University of Waterloo
- Program type: Bachelors Degree
- Language: English
- Program Code: BASDS
- Delivery Method: Fully Online/Distance
Disclaimer:
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.
Check with the institution regarding start/end dates, prices, and delivery method. These may vary according to program, section, and/or semester.