Applying as a Canadian applicant
Domestic students should apply online or by phone at 1-888-892-2228.
Applying as an International applicant
Campus tours
Campus tours are one of the best ways to experience Conestoga. During this time, we are offering online guided tours to show you all Conestoga has to offer.
Book your tourVirtual tours
If you can't make an on-campus tour or attend one of our events, the virtual tour is a great way to visit us.
View our Virtual tourAdmissions - September 2023
Admission requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD), or equivalent, or 19 years of age or older with mature student status (See Mature Student definition for details.)
- Grade 12 compulsory English, C (70% minimum) or U (60% minimum), or equivalent, OR Conestoga College Preparatory Communications (COMM1251), or equivalent
- For more information on preparatory programs, visit Academic Upgrading
Canadian admissions contact
International admissions contact
Admission procedures
- An academic strength is calculated by averaging the submitted marks of required subjects. If more than one mark is received for a required subject, the highest mark will be used in the calculation.
- Ten (10) additional marks are added to each Advanced level, OAC, U, U/C, and post-secondary course used in the calculation of academic strength.
- Applicants meeting minimum academic requirements are invited to begin the selection process, which requires them to:
- Complete a questionnaire that will be emailed to applicants. The questionnaire is intended to evaluate the applicant’s understanding of the social service profession and the applicable skills necessary to be successful, and to demonstrate the steps taken for career success, including evidence of community engagement, employment or volunteer experience leadership roles.
- Provide a detailed resume that outlines all related work and volunteer experience.
- Final selection is made using a formula that combines academic strength with the score obtained on the questionnaire.
Program requirements
- Mandatory practicum health and safety requirements must be completed by students prior to student field/clinical placements. Successful placement completion is required for students to progress to program completion. To qualify for field/clinical placement learning experiences, students must present the following by the deadline indicated on the practicum package which will be distributed in class in semester one:
- A Police Check for Vulnerable Sector Screening (VSS)(must not be completed prior to semester 2). Police Checks must be clear of any unpardoned criminal offences. An unclear criminal record may result in the inability to participate in field placement/clinical which will jeopardize progress in the program. Acceptance for placement is at the discretion of the agency; some agencies may request students to provide a VSS completed within six months of placement start date. Students with criminal records are advised to meet with the program chair for academic counselling to determine program suitability.
- Applicants should display integrity, reliability, maturity, determination, excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Computer literacy is necessary in order to complete assignments satisfactorily.
- Applicants are advised that some social service agencies require that employees be a minimum of 21 years of age. Therefore, applicants under 19 years of age may have difficulty finding employment upon graduation.
Pre-Workplace-Integrated Learning (WIL) FAQ
You are taking the first steps to becoming a professional through your program at Conestoga College.
Realizing your vision of having a high-performing career in your field of choice requires that you start your program having met the document requirements that are mandatory for new employees in your field. The WIL document requirements that are
mandatory for
your program can be found in the
Student Portal under the
Services tab (scroll down the page and select the
Login to
H.S.Trax button).
Credit transfer
You might be eligible to enter a program at an advanced level, or be exempt from a course, if you have formal post-secondary education. Learn more about
credit transfer opportunities.
Pathways
Some Conestoga programs have pathways for current students, including certificate-to-diploma, diploma-to-diploma and diploma-to-degree opportunities. Learn more about
pathways at Conestoga.
Articulation agreements
Conestoga partners with other post-secondary institutions, allowing students the opportunity to study elsewhere, usually in pursuit or an academic credential. Learn more about
articulation agreements.
Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR)
Disclaimer
The College reserves the right to alter information including requirements and fees and to cancel at any time a program, course, or program major or option; to change the location and/or term in which a program or course is offered; to change the program curriculum as necessary to meet current competencies in the job market or for budgetary reasons; or to withdraw an offer of admission both prior to and after its acceptance by an applicant or student because of insufficient applications or registrations, over-acceptance of offers of admission, budgetary constraints, or for other such reasons. In the event the College exercises such a right, the College’s sole liability will be the return of monies paid by the applicant or student to the College. Students actively registered in cohort delivered programs who take longer than the designed program length of time to complete their studies are accountable for completing any new or additional courses that may result due to changes in the program of study. Unless otherwise stated, students registered in non-cohort delivered programs must complete the program of study within seven years of being admitted to the program.