Graduate Admissions
Source: https://futurestudents.yorku.ca/graduate/programs/social-work Parent: https://futurestudents.yorku.ca/graduate/programs
Social Work
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.
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Degrees Offered
MSW (Advanced Standing) - Full-time & Part-time
Program Length (Full-time)
3 term(s)
Program Component(s)
- Practice-based research paper
- AND Practica
Minimum Required GPA
B+
Fall Entry
- Full-time
- Part-time
Deadline - Fall (All Applicants)
2025-12-01
English Proficiency Requirement
| Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based) | 100 (for tests taken prior to January 2026) or 5 (January 2026 and after) |
| IELTS (Academic Module) | 7.5 |
| YUELI | Essential English Level 6 with distinction |
| YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) | Graduate with distinction |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70, no component score less than 60 |
| Minimum CPE Score | C |
| Minimum CAE Score | B |
| Duolingo | 140 |
| PTE Academic | 76 |
MSW (two-year)
Program Length (Full-time)
5 term(s)
Program Component(s)
- Practice-based research paper
- AND Two practica
Minimum Required GPA
B+
Fall Entry
- Full-time
Deadline - Fall (Full-time Applicants Only)
2025-12-01
English Proficiency Requirement
| Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based) | 100 (for tests taken prior to January 2026) or 5 (January 2026 and after) |
| IELTS (Academic Module) | 7.5 |
| YUELI | Essential English Level 6 with distinction |
| YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) | Graduate with distinction |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70, no component score less than 60 |
| Minimum CPE Score | C |
| Minimum CAE Score | B |
| Duolingo | 140 |
| PTE Academic | 76 |
PhD
Program Component(s)
- Comprehensive examination(s)
- AND Dissertation
Minimum Required GPA
B+
Fall Entry
- Full-time
Deadline - Fall (All Applicants)
2025-12-01
English Proficiency Requirement
| Minimum TOEFL (Internet-based) | 100 (for tests taken prior to January 2026) or 5 (January 2026 and after) |
| IELTS (Academic Module) | 7.5 |
| YUELI | Essential English Level 6 with distinction |
| YUELI Graduate Studies Preparation Program (GSPP) | Graduate with distinction |
| CAEL | Overall score of 70, no component score less than 60 |
| Minimum CPE Score | C |
| Minimum CAE Score | B |
| Duolingo | 140 |
| PTE Academic | 76 |
Additional Admission Requirements
Required Forms
- MSW Admission – Social Work Experience Form (to be completed, saved as pdf and uploaded via MyFile)
- PhD Admission - Supplementary Information Form (to be completed and uploaded via 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.