Additional Admission Requirements

Required Forms

• MSW Admission – Social Work Experience Form (to be completed, saved as pdf and uploaded via MyFile - www.yorku.ca/MyFile)
• PhD Admission - Supplementary Information Form (to be completed and uploaded via MyFile - www.yorku.ca/MyFile)

Number of Recommendation(s)

• 3 recommendation(s)

Other Requirements

Please see How to Apply - Graduate Program in Social Work for more details.

• MSW in Social Work
  • BSW degree with a "B+" average in the last two years of study or equivalent honours undergraduate Social Work degree
  • Three letters of recommendation (one of which is academic, one professional and third can be either - academic is preferred)
  • Resumé or CV
  • Statement of interest
    • Please double space and type your response to the following (total maximum of 500 words): Write a statement about a contemporary social justice issue that interests you. Your statement should include the following components:
      • Describe the social issue.
      • Explain why this is a social issue and the factors that contribute to it.
      • Discuss the impacts it has on individuals, families, communities, and/or society.
      • Discuss what can be done to promote social change and reduce suffering with respect to the social issue (e.g., what changes can be made).
      • If you wish, you may include any personal, community, professional, and/or academic experiences you have had, related to the social issue you are interested in.
      • Explain why you believe York University's School of Social Work is a good choice for you given your research and practice interests.
  • Two years of experience in social work/social justice work (paid and/or voluntary) is preferred
• Two-year MSW in Social Work
  • Honours undergraduate degree in a related subject with a "B+" average in the last two years of study or equivalent honours undergraduate degree
  • Relevant professional, personal or volunteer experience
  • Resumé or CV
  • Statement of interest
    • Please double space and type your response to the following (total maximum of 500 words): Write a statement about a contemporary social justice issue that interests you. Your statement should include the following components:
      • Describe the social issue.
      • Explain why this is a social issue and the factors that contribute to it.
      • Discuss the impacts it has on individuals, families, communities, and/or society.
      • Discuss what can be done to promote social change and reduce suffering with respect to the social issue (e.g., what changes can be made).
      • If you wish, you may include any personal, community, professional, and/or academic experiences you have had, related to the social issue you are interested in.
      • Explain why you believe York University's School of Social Work is a good choice for you given your research and practice interests.
  • Three letters of recommendation (one of which is academic, one professional and third can be either - academic is preferred)
  • Two years of experience in social work/social justice work (paid and/or voluntary) is preferred
  • Successful completion of an undergraduate research methods course (search for "research methods" under Course Title)
• PhD in Social Work
  • Have a minimum B+ average from the Master's degree (MSW or a related discipline) and have completed at least one social work degree (BSW or MSW). In exceptional cases, applicants who do not have a social work degree may be considered if they have a related degree. In such case, applicants must also demonstrate extensive experiences in social welfare, or community/social services.
  • Resumé or CV
  • Sample of professional or academic writing
  • Statement of interest (limited five pages double-spaced)
  • Three letters of reference (one of which is academic that addresses candidate's potential for doctoral level research)

*In exceptional cases, a master's degree in a related discipline will be considered. In such a case, the applicant must demonstrate extensive experience in the field. Because the number of applicants greatly exceeds the number of positions available, meeting our minimum admission requirements is not a guarantee of admission.