York University MSW Application Guide
Considering York University’s Master of Social Work (MSW) program? This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to help you decide if it’s the right school for you, from what makes York’s program unique to the program requirements, including the course curriculum and practicum structure. We’ll also explore the admission requirements and how to strengthen each part of your application to maximize your odds of getting accepted.
About the York MSW Program
York University offers two MSW programs that are fully accredited by the Canadian Association for Social Work Education (CASWE):
An Advanced Standing MSW program for those with a BSW.
A Foundational MSW program for those without a BSW.
Both programs involve a combination of coursework, practicum(s), and a practice-based research paper.
Advanced Standing (prior BSW) MSW Program:
Can be completed on a full-time basis in one year (three semesters) or on a part-time basis in two years (six semesters).
Includes a 450-hour advanced practicum.
Foundational (no BSW) MSW Program:
Can only be completed on a full-time basis, requiring two years of study (five semesters).
Includes a 550-hour foundational practicum and a 450-hour advanced practicum.
What Makes York University’s MSW Unique?
York University’s Master of Social Work programs stand out for their commitment to critical social work, social justice, and anti-oppressive practice. Unlike many MSW programs that focus primarily on clinical skills or generalist frameworks, York’s MSW is designed to support students in critically interrogating how power, oppression, and structural inequities shape both personal experience and professional practice.
Here are some features that make York’s program unique:
A critical, social justice approach: York’s School of Social Work is widely known for its strong focus on critical reflection and social justice. Their curriculum is grounded in human rights, anti-oppression, and social justice, with a strong emphasis on understanding how systems of power create and sustain social issues. Students are encouraged to question the social construction of knowledge, including understanding how values and ideology construct social issues and responses and thinking critically about the role of social work in society.
Integration of Research and Practice: Every MSW student completes a “Practice-Based Research Paper,” which is an independent project that links theory and practice with a social justice issue. For MSW applicants who are considering future doctoral studies, this research component is excellent preparation.
In-Person, Theory-Driven Learning: Courses are delivered in person and are highly grounded in theory. The curriculum is designed to help students build a strong foundation in critical perspectives and research, while still allowing students to pursue their interests through electives and practicum placements.
Flexible Practicum Structure: York requires 450-1,000 hours of practicum, depending on the program stream, and they have one of the most flexible practicum schedules I’ve encountered. While most practicums are 2 or 3 full days a week, there are options to do block placements of 4 to 5 full days a week, allowing you to complete your practicum faster. They even have some evening/weekend options.
More Flexible Admission Requirements: While many MSW programs in Canada require a strict minimum amount of human service or social service experience for admission, York takes a more flexible approach. They recommend at least two years of relevant experience, but it’s not a hard requirement. This makes the program more accessible for applicants who are passionate about social justice and have strong potential but may not meet the stricter experience requirements of other schools.
Unique Statement of Interest Prompt: Instead of a general personal statement, York requires a focused 500-word essay on a contemporary social justice issue related to your experiences and career goal(s), along with a brief explanation of why their program is the right fit for your research and practice interests.
Small Cohorts and Strong Funding: York’s MSW cohorts are relatively small (approximately 30 students), which may mean more personalized learning and support. The program also offers competitive funding packages and scholarships that many students cite as a major benefit.
Tip: Look for opportunities to speak about some of the program’s unique features in your personal statement to show that you’ve done your research and are a great fit for their program! For example, can you speak to how York’s emphasis on critical social work, anti-oppressive practice, or applied research aligns with your values and goals?
Wait, what is a Practice-Based Research Paper?
The Practice-Based Research Paper (PRP) is a core requirement in York’s MSW program that sets it apart from some other schools. It’s a major independent project, typically around 40-50 pages, that gives you the chance to critically explore a social justice issue connected to your practicum experience and practice interests. This project will strengthen your understanding of social justice principles and your ability to contribute to progressive social change.
While 40-50 pages might sound daunting, the PRP builds on discussions, assignments, and a proposal that you will complete in the Graduate Research Seminar and Practice Research Paper Seminar. These two classes will walk you through the PRP step-by-step in a supportive environment.
Topics are highly flexible, with the only requirements being that the paper must develop a theoretical perspective and should include an abstract, introduction, literature review, methodology, findings, discussion, and conclusion. Most students write their papers using existing literature, theory, and secondary data instead of collecting original data (e.g., conducting interviews). However, you can collect your own data if you want; it just takes more time, effort, and ethics approval.
If you’re thinking about doing a PhD one day, the PRP will give you valuable research experience, connecting theory and practice, that can strengthen your application. This project can also provide a springboard for future clinical or policy work.
To learn more about the practice-based research paper, see York’s MSW manual.
Is this the right school for me if I want to pursue clinical social work?
York University’s MSW program does not position itself as a clinically focused program. Instead, its strength lies in its critical, anti-oppressive approach that encourages students to interrogate the structural roots of social issues. As a result, if you’re looking for a program that centres psychotherapy models or clinical theory in the classroom, York may not be the best fit. However, there are some clinically related electives available, such as Transformative Approaches in Mental Health, Contesting Children’s “Mental Health,” and Narrative Therapy and Critical Social Work.
Many York MSW students have successfully pursued clinical practicum placements and have gone on to work in mental health, counselling, health care, and other direct practice roles. The practicum is where most clinical skills are gained, and York does offer counselling-related placements in settings such as the child and family services centre, CAMH, hospitals, and hospices. You’ll also write a practice-based research paper on a topic that interests you, which could be a clinically relevant topic.
If you’re open to learning from a critical social work lens and then applying that knowledge in clinical settings, York can still provide a great foundation for clinical social work.
Program Structure and Course Curriculum
York University offers three separate program streams: a one-year full-time Advanced Standing option for applicants with a BSW, a two-year part-time Advanced Standing option for those with a BSW, and a two-year full-time Foundational option for those without a BSW. While each stream includes coursework, practicum(s), and a practice-based research paper, they differ in pacing, course load, and practicum timelines.
Below is an overview of each stream’s program structure, course curriculum, and convocation date to give you a better idea of what to expect.
Full-Time Advanced Standing (prior BSW) Stream:
This program stream allows students with a prior BSW to study full-time, taking one year (three terms) to complete their studies.
Part-Time Advanced Standing (prior BSW) Stream:
This program stream allows students with a prior BSW to study part-time, taking two years (six terms) to complete their studies.
*Note: For the part-time Advanced Standing program practicum, evening/weekend or block (4-5 days/week) placements can be explored. However, these types of placements are limited and cannot be guaranteed. Completing more days per week will allow you to complete the practicum requirement in a shorter amount of time.
Two-Year Full-Time Foundational (No BSW) Program:
This program stream for non-BSW students can only be completed through full-time studies, taking about two years (5 terms) to complete.
How can I learn more about the required courses, elective options, and practicums?
To learn more about the required courses and elective options, including course descriptions, check out York’s MSW manual.
To learn more about practicums, check out York’s MSW practicum manuals.
Application Timeline
While application due dates are generally the same from year to year, they can vary, so be sure to double-check York University’s website. With that said, here is the typical timeline:
Applications Open: October 15th
Deadline: December 15th
Advanced Standing (prior BSW) offers sent out: By mid-March
Foundational (no BSW) offers sent out: By mid-April
Admission Requirements
Advanced Standing (Full- or Part-Time) MSW (prior BSW):
A BSW or equivalent honours undergraduate social work degree accredited by a recognized social work education body equivalent to the Canadian Association of Social Work Education (CASWE).
At least a B+ average in the last two years of study (20 half-courses).
Two years of related social work experience (paid or voluntary) are preferred but not required.
Three letters of reference (one academic, one professional, and the third can be either, but an additional academic reference is preferred).
Foundational Two-Year Full-Time MSW (no BSW):
An honours degree in another non-BSW related discipline (e.g., psychology, sociology, anthropology, political science, public policy, gender studies, journalism, education, international development studies, health-related studies, etc.).
At least a B+ average in the last two years of study (20 half-courses); however, the competitive average for this program stream is an A.
A research methods course in a related discipline that covers qualitative methods or both qualitative and quantitative methods.
Relevant professional, volunteer, or personal experiences that demonstrate a potential for social work practice (a minimum of two years of experience in human services and/or social justice work, either paid or voluntary, is preferred but not required).
Three letters of reference (one academic, one professional, and the third can be either, but an additional academic reference is preferred).
York MSW Application Requirements
As part of your application, you must submit the following:
Statement of Interest (i.e., Personal Statement)
CV or Resume
A completed MSW Supplementary Information Form
Contact information for three referees (one academic, one professional, and the third can be either)
Unofficial copies of transcripts (“grade reports” are not accepted)
Statement of Interest
York’s statement of interest (their equivalent of a personal statement) is a bit unique. They ask for a double-spaced paper, 500 words maximum, primarily focused on a contemporary social justice issue that interests you. It should include the following components:
Describe the social issue.
Explain why it is a social issue and the factors that contribute to it.
Discuss the impact it has on individuals, families, communities, and/or society.
Discuss what can be done to promote social justice and reduce suffering concerning the social issue (i.e., what changes can be made).
If you wish, you may include any personal, community, professional, and/or academic experiences you have had that are related to your social issue of interest.
Explain why you believe York University’s School of Social Work is a good choice for you, given your research and practice interests.
You’ll notice that this is more focused and issue-driven than most personal statements. Instead of asking you broadly about your motivation, goals, and experiences, they invite you to demonstrate your critical thinking by analyzing a social justice issue. This is very much in line with the program’s emphasis on anti-oppressive and critical social work.
Here are some additional tips to help you out:
Choose a social issue that you’re genuinely passionate about. Pick a specific issue that you can speak to with insight and depth. Ideally, this will be a social issue you’ve encountered through lived experience, community involvement, paid work, and/or academics that is connected to your research and practice goals.
Show your critical lens. York is looking for applicants who understand how social issues are socially constructed and shaped by broader structures of power and oppression. This means going beyond surface-level explanations. Can you connect your issue to colonialism, neoliberalism, globalization, systemic racism, ableism, and other systems of power and oppression?
Focus on structure and flow. Use the prompts they provide as a roadmap. You want to make sure your statement of interest addresses everything they’ve asked for, with each paragraph of your statement addressing one or two prompts. You also want to make sure it’s organized in a logical flow that tells a compelling narrative, with smooth transitions from paragraph to paragraph.
Don’t forget that this is a critical analysis piece. If you’ve worked or volunteered in a setting related to the issue and/or have lived experience that informs your understanding of the issue, that’s great! However, remember that this is a critical analysis, not an autobiography or resume. The goal is to show how your experiences have shaped your critical perspective on the issue.
Tie it back to York. End your statement by clearly connecting the dots between your social issue, your values, your goals, and what York offers. For example, you might highlight how York’s focus on anti-oppressive practice or research-based learning aligns with your social issue, values, and professional goals. Or, how they have a faculty member or research lab with expertise in your area of interest. This shows that you’ve done your research and that York is an intentional choice rather than one of many applications. Ideally, you’ll make a brief but strong case for why York’s MSW program is uniquely suited to prepare you for your specific career goals.
Related Reading:
Choosing a Social Justice Issue for your MSW Personal Statement
5 Ways Your Social Justice Personal Statement Might Be Missing the Mark
Resume or CV
As part of your application, you’ll need to submit a resume or CV. York tends to place more weight on paid experience when evaluating applicants, but you should still include both paid and unpaid roles. There is no page limit, so you can be thorough. For each position, be sure to include the duration (in years and months), and for part-time or unpaid roles, specify the approximate number of hours per week or month that you worked or volunteered.
Not sure if an experience should be included on your resume/CV?
York makes it clear that everything you put on your resume or CV counts as experience. However, the more social service or social justice-related experience you have, the stronger your application will be.
My advice is to include positions even if they aren’t social work-related (e.g., customer service roles). You won’t be penalized for including them, and they might even count towards your experience score if you emphasize skills you used in the role that are transferrable to social work (e.g., conflict resolution, communication) in your bullet points.
For additional resume support:
Check out “How To Write Your Social Work Resume" and "119 Social Work Skills You Can Add To Your Resume (A Comprehensive List)."
Consider our social work resume service, which includes instant access to three resume templates tailored to social work, a customizable cover letter, practical tools and training to help you get started, and professional resume editing.
A Completed MSW Supplementary Information Form
The MSW Supplementary Information Form asks you to detail your paid and unpaid experience in social service, community organizing, advocacy, and related fields in a table format. For each experience, you’ll be asked to provide:
Organization name
Position title
Start and end dates
Hours per month
Number of months
Total hours
Name of supervisor or employer
Whether the role was full-time, part-time, or a student practicum
This form also includes a short optional section (maximum of 150 words) where you can explain anything not captured elsewhere in your application. This might include gaps in your resume, a change in academic discipline, or special circumstances that impacted or academic performance or work history.
Tip: Use this section only to provide context not already covered elsewhere in your application. Keep it concise, using point-form notes (rather than paragraphs). This is not the place to continue or repeat your statement of interest.
Three References
You will need to submit contact information for three referees when you complete your application. One must be an academic reference, one must be a professional reference, and one is your choice (i.e., another academic or professional reference). However, a second academic reference is preferred.
Referees will all receive the same online form to fill out. Many referees also attach a letter of reference, but that’s optional.
Before providing contact information for referees:
Ask for their permission and confirm their availability to provide a reference before the application deadline.
Ask if there is anything they need from you to help them provide a strong reference. Providing them resume/CV and statement of interest often results in a better, more personalized reference.
Give them plenty of notice, well in advance of the application deadline.
If your professional referee is new to providing social work letter of recommendations, our guide “How to Write a Reference Letter (For Employers)” might be helpful to pass along.
What if I don’t have academic references?
If you can’t find an academic reference, York recommends volunteering for a professor (e.g., helping with a research project) with the understanding that they will provide a reference letter for you at some point in the future.
Related Reading:
Unofficial Transcripts
During the application process, you’ll need to submit unofficial transcripts for all post-secondary institutions you’ve attended, regardless of whether a degree was awarded or not. This includes:
Post-secondary institutions where you earned transfer credits.
Post-secondary institutions where you began a program but didn’t complete it.
Degrees that are still in progress.
You do not need to submit a transcript for studies completed at York University since they already have access to your academic records.
How are the Various components of the Application Ranked?
At York University, each component of your application is weighed equally by the selection committee. No single part (e.g., GPA, experience, or statement of interest) is considered more important than the others. This means that if one area of your application is relatively weaker (for example, grades or social work-related experience), you may still be admitted based on strengths in other areas.
Final Tips for a Strong Application
Double-check deadlines and start early. Starting early is especially important when applying to York University, given its two-step application process. You first pay for your application and then need to wait up to 5-7 business days to receive a link to MYFILE, the system where you complete the second step of the application (providing contact information for your referees, submitting your statement of interest, etc.). Ensure you give yourself enough time to obtain access to MYFILE and for your referees to complete the reference form that they will be sent when you complete the second part of the application process.
Review the MSW Manual to help tailor your application. York’s MSW Manual provides a very comprehensive overview of the program, including the School of Social Work’s mission statement, the program’s philosophy, course descriptions, faculty members and their areas of research, and much more. Reading this manual will help you tailor your statement of intent and resume/CV in a way that clearly communicates that you are a good fit for their program.
Proofread everything: Before submitting your documents, proofread them carefully and more than once. Better yet, ask a mentor (ideally one who has social work experience) to proofread it or use a service like MSW Helper’s MSW Personal Statement and/or Resume Review to help ensure you are submitting the strongest application you can.
