Bachelor of Social Work (BSW)

York University’s Bachelor of Social Work program is positioned within a critical, social justice–oriented framework that emphasizes human rights, equity, and advocacy for marginalized communities. The program is shaped by instructors who bring together contemporary academic scholarship and real-world professional experience, supporting students in understanding complex social issues through both theoretical and applied lenses. Its curriculum engages with themes such as community-based research practices, racial and colonial discourses in social work, diversity, inclusion and belonging, international social work, social welfare systems, Indigenous social work, and the intersections of sexuality, race, and ethnicity in shaping social policy and practice.

The program offers multiple entry pathways, including a direct-entry option for students coming from high school or community college, with admissions available each fall. Learning is grounded in hands-on experiences that extend beyond the classroom, including community-based research projects, required volunteer engagement, and structured field education placements that meet professional accreditation standards. Students also participate in in-class and credit-bearing placements, interactive role-play learning, and regular exposure to guest speakers from frontline and community-based social service roles, all of which are designed to build practical competence alongside critical reflection and academic development.

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent.

What You’ll Learn

• Develop skills in community-based research and evidence-informed social work practice grounded in real-world contexts.
• Understand social justice frameworks, including racial, colonial, and systemic inequalities affecting individuals and communities.
• Explore diversity, inclusion, belonging, and the intersections of race, ethnicity, sexuality, and culture in social work practice.
• Gain knowledge of Indigenous social work, international perspectives, and social welfare systems shaping human services through York University’s curriculum.