Social Work

About Program Request More Information Program Website

Our two master's level programs combine coursework, practicum and a practice-based research paper. You will graduate from one of our programs with the thorough foundation needed to work successfully with diverse populations in a wide variety of social service settings.

Our PhD program provides students with advanced scholarship related to the development and practice of critical knowledge, theory, skills and approaches to social work. The program assumes that students have prior and extensive knowledge of the field of social work. It will be open to qualified students wishing to pursue advanced scholarly study in the field of social work.

Advanced Standing MSW in Social Work

The MSW program focuses on consideration of complexity in practice in order to enable students to engage in practice from a critical perspective.

The full-time or part-time MSW program is open to graduates of recognized universities, with a BSW or an equivalent honours undergraduate social work degree accredited by a recognized social work education body equivalent to the Canadian Association of Social Work Education, with at least a B+ average in the last two years of study, and related social work experience.

Two-year MSW in Social Work

The first year of the program is a foundation year, designed to introduce students to advanced social work education at the graduate level. The second year of the program is integrated into the existing one-year, full-time MSW program.

The two-year full-time MSW program is designed for students who do not have a Bachelor of Social Work (BSW), but who hold an honours undergraduate degree in a related subject and who have relevant professional, personal and volunteer experience in the field.

PhD in Social Work

Rich in theory, our PhD program challenges students to expose and examine the functions of social control and oppression, focusing on the ways in which social structures contribute to the dislocation of oppressed and disenfranchised populations. Students benefit from our research–based, critical theory approach to learning, preparing them for leadership roles focused on the promotion of social equality and the pursuit of social transformation.

Stream and Specializations

The MSW is a generalist degree and has the following accredited fields of study:

  • Integration of research and critical practice
  • Identity, diversity and anti-oppression
  • Social policy analysis and advocacy in a local and global context

The PhD has the following accredited fields of study:

  • Social policy
  • Globalization and international issues
  • Systemic oppression
  • Race, ethnicity and culture
  • Community and direct practice

 

Degrees Offered

MSW (Advanced Standing) - Full-time & Part-time

3 term(s)
6 term(s)
  • Practice-based research paper
  • AND Practica
B+
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
2020-12-15
Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based)600
Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based)100
IELTS (Academic Module)7.5
YUELIAcademic Program Level 9 with Distinction
YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP)Graduate with distinction
CAELOverall score of 70, no component score less than 60
Minimum CPE ScoreC
Minimum CAE ScoreB
Duolingo125
PTE Academic76

MSW (two-year)

5 term(s)
  • Practice-based research paper
  • AND Two practica
B+
  • Full-time
2020-12-15
Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based)600
Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based)100
IELTS (Academic Module)7.5
YUELIAcademic Program Level 9 with Distinction
YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP)Graduate with distinction
CAELOverall score of 70, no component score less than 60
Minimum CPE ScoreC
Minimum CAE ScoreB
Duolingo125
PTE Academic76

PhD

4 year(s)
  • Comprehensive examination(s)
  • AND Dissertation
B+
  • Full-time
2020-12-15
Minimum TOEFL (Paper-based)600
Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based)100
IELTS (Academic Module)7.5
YUELIAcademic Program Level 9 with Distinction
YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP)Graduate with distinction
CAELOverall score of 70, no component score less than 60
Minimum CPE ScoreC
Minimum CAE ScoreB
Duolingo125
PTE Academic76

Additional Admission Requirements

Required Forms

Number of Recommendation(s)

  • 3 recommendation(s)

Other Requirements

  • 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 (500 words)
    • 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 (500 words)
    • 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.



York University respects your privacy and protects personal information in compliance with the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act and Canada Anti-Spam Legislation. For more information, visit futurestudents.yorku.ca/privacy

Do you need a visa to study in Canada?
Current year level:
Interested in:
Are you an Indigenous Person or do you have Indigenous ancestry? *

* Voluntary declaration. Indigenous people are persons who identify themselves as First Nation (status or non-Status), Métis or Inuit.

Select your program(s) of interest.