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.
MSW
All applicants must provide:
- MSW 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.
- Provide a curriculum vitae or resume.
- Download the MSW Social Work Experience Form (.pdf). Completely fill it out and then upload it to the application on the MyFile portal.
- Provide three letters of reference. One should be academic, one should be professional, and the third can be either, although academic is preferred.
- Unofficial copies of transcripts clearly indicating the name of the student and issuing institute can be uploaded in MyFile for admission consideration. Grade reports are not accepted.
If you receive an offer, you will need to arrange for your post-secondary institutes to send your official transcripts directly to York Graduate Admissions.
The application to the program is a two-step process.
The first step will be completing the initial application online where you will be asked to input a method of payment. You will get a confirmation of payment number with this process.
After 5-7 business days you will get an email from York University confirming that your application has been received and providing you with your York University Student ID number. If you have ever been a York Student or are currently a York student, the number will be the same.
You will be given the link to the MYFILE where you will complete the second step of the application process. Once to log in to MYFILE, please read and follow all of the directions carefully.
In the MYFILE you will have to upload your CV, Statement of Interest and completed MSW Social Work Experience Form (.pdf). You will have to input the email addresses of your referees and they will be prompted to complete an email reference form/letter. We do not accept hard-copy letters. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the MYFILE. Please note that grade reports are not accepted. If you are a current York University student, then you will not be expected to provide transcripts as we have those on file.
For more information on what's required please contact gradsowk@yorku.ca or visit the graduate social work admissions page.
PhD
- Provide a Statement of Interest: (please limit your statement to 5 pages double-spaced)
- Please explain your proposed area of research, the questions you are interested in exploring, and the theoretical framework(s) you anticipate using.
- Please explain why you believe this topic is important to social work and/or social justice
- Please explain why you consider York University's School of Social Work to be a good choice for you given your research interests.
- Please describe any life, community, professional, and/or academic experiences which relate to your proposed research.
- Provide a curriculum vitae of your academic and work experience, including education, scholarships or awards, practice experience, research experience, professional activities, conference and/or training presentations, and publications including agency reports;
- Provide a sample of professional or academic writing (e.g., published or unpublished scholarly paper, conference presentation, or professional report). (submit electronically);
- Provide three letters of reference, of which at least one should be an academic reference that addresses the candidate’s potential for doctoral-level research.
- Unofficial copies of transcripts clearly indicating the name of the student and issuing institute can be uploaded in MyFile for admission consideration. Grade reports are not accepted. If you receive an offer, you will need to arrange for your post-secondary institutes to send your official transcripts directly to York's Graduate Admissions.
- Provide a supplementary information form, (preferred, but not required).
Applicants will be assessed based on past academic achievement and demonstrated or potential capacity for advanced study.
For applicants whose first language is not English, a minimum TOEFL score of 600 (paper-based) or 250 (computer-based) or YELT score of Band 1 is required.
The application to the program is a two-step process.
The first step will be completing the initial application online where you will be asked to input a method of payment. You will get a confirmation of payment number with this process.
After 5-7 business days you will get an email from York University confirming that your application has been received and providing you with your York University Student ID number. If you have ever been a York Student or are currently a York student, the number will be the same.
You will be given the link to the MYFILE where you will complete the second step of the application process. The link is below.
apps4.sis.yorku.ca/Apps/WebObjects/AAS.woa/wa/DirectAction/student
Once you login to the MYFILE please read and follow all the directions carefully. Bear in mind, that staff cannot see what you see, so you must be diligent.
In the MYFILE you will have to upload your CV, Statement of Interest, and complete supplementary information form. You will have to input the email addresses of your referees and they will be prompted to complete an email reference form/letter. We do not accept hard-copy letters. Unofficial transcripts can be uploaded to the MYFILE. You can use any transcript or grade report from your Institution. York Graduates will have to provide copies if they have them. If you are a current York University student then you will not be expected to provide transcripts as we have those on file.
For more information on what's required please visit the graduate social work admissions page or contact gradsowk@yorku.ca.
Learn More
The Graduate Program in Social Work at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Engagement Coordinator for information.