PhD Program

• An Master's degree with a minimum 'A-’ average or equivalent upon the commencement of the program.   International applicants can refer to the international credentials information for your country.    The program is multi-disciplinary in nature.   Hence, no specific master's degree or discipline is required.    (Applicants will arrange to have 2 official transcripts in sealed envelopes directly mailed from every post-secondary institution, including univesities and colleges, to the Admissions Office at York University.  Current or past students York University are not required to submit York transcripts.)

• A statement of interest (maximum 2 pages in length; single-line spacing) showing evidence of a commitment to advanced work in studies in disability.  The statement will include a discussion of the applicant’s background, research interests, skills and career goals.  Typical quesitions to be addressed in the statements include but are not limited to:

             (1)  Briefly explain why you have specifically chosen the PhD Program in Critical Disability Studies and what does Critical Disability

                    Studies mean to you.

             (2)  Choose only one area of specialization (Human Rights and Social Justice, Critical Theory, Social Policy) that you are interested in

                    the field of Critical Disability Studies.   Summarize the potential topic on your doctoral dissertation and suggest a

                    potential principal supervisor who you would like to work with on your dissertation. 

             (3)  Explain how the PhD Program in Critical Disability Studies will relate to your career goals.

             (4)  Suggest two elective courses offered by our program that you are interested in enrolling.   (Note that not all elective courses will  

                    be offered every year.)

• Demonstrate ability in writing and conducting research by submitting 1-2 sample(s) of scholarly written work that the applicant has written, as the sole author, for a course or in an employment context.   (For example, academic essays or analytical papers which were submitted to an master's level university courses, master's theses or major research papers, etc.)
  
  
• Provide 3 academic references from university faculty.    You should name people who are capable of speaking to your experience and interest in the field of Critical Disability Studies.   Applicants who have been out of school for 5 years or less should provide at least 2 academic references from university faculty (preferably all 3 academic references).    Applicants who have been out of school for more than 5 years should provide at least 1 academic reference from university faculty (preferably all 3 academic references).  

• A current CV or Resume.

• Provide English language proficiency test result as explained below.

English Language Proficiency Tests

Proof of language proficiency is required for applicants who meet both of the following criteria:

1. their first language is not English; AND
   
   
2. they have not completed at least one year of full-time study at an accredited university in a country (or institution) where English is the official language of instruction.

York University reserves the right to request a successful English Language Proficiency test result.  The minimum requirements are either one of the followings:

• TOEFL score of 600 (paper based) or 250 (computer-based) or an iBT (internet-based test) score of 100
• IELTS overall band score of 7.5
• YELT (York English Language Test) score of Band 1

International Academic Credentials

International students can determine how their academic credentials achieved overseas compare to York University's minimum admission requirements here.  However, there is no definitive answer to the admission eligibility until the entire application package has been reviewed.

Application Deadline

Application Package

Other than the Application Form, Supplementary Program Information Form and the Recommendation Form which are to be submitted online, all of the other supporting documents are to be mailed to or dropped off in hardcopy at the Admissions Office of York University at the address listed below.  

DO NOT fax or email any documents to the Admissions Office.   DO NOT submit any documents by any means to the Graduate Program Office.  They must be submitted to the Admissions Office of York University in hardcopy by the above stated application deadline.

A complete application package includes the following documents.  You can check your application status in MyFile.

1. Checklist (download it here and submit a hardcopy to the Admissions Office)
2. Application Form (submit it online here)    An application fee applies.
3. Supplementary Program Information Form (submit it online here)
4. 3 Recommendation Forms (identify 3 referees and their email addresses online here)    After you submit the names and e-mail addresses of your referees, the Admissions Office will automatically email your referees the instructions about how to submit their references on a secured website.   Therefore, it is very important that you are providing their correct e-mail addresses.   You will be able to track the status of the referees’ responses in MyFile.
5. Statement of Interest
6. CV or Resume
7. 1-2 sample(s) of scholarly written work of which you are the sole author (for example, academic essays or analytical papers which were submitted to an advanced level university courses).
8. 2 official transcripts, in unbroken sealed envelopes, from every post-secondary institution, including univesities and colleges, you've attended.    Current or past students York University are not required to submit York transcripts.
9. Proof of English Language Proficiency score if required.

Mailing Address for Supporting Documents

Admissions Office
3rd Floor, Bennett Centre for Student Services
York University
4700 Keele Street
Toronto, Ontario CANADA
M3J 1P3

(Note:  Bennett Centre for Student Services is numbered 41 on the campus map posted here.)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Frequently asked questions are addressed on the Admissions Office webpage here.

Important Notes

• All programs offered by the Graduate Program in Critical Disability Studies only have one entry in September per academic year.    Admission deferrals are not applicable.   Applicants who decline the offer of admission by our programs are required to re-apply for admission for future academic years.  

• Incomplete application files will not be processed.   All submitted documents will not be returned to the applicants.

• Because the number of applicants greatly exceeds the number of positions available, meeting the minimum admission requirements is not a guarantee of admission.    

• Applicants will be assessed on the basis of academic achievement and/or demonstrated capacity or potential for advanced work in an applied area.  The statement of interest and submitted scholarly written work provide a basis for evaluating that potential.  Where there are uncertainties related to a student’s potential fit with the program, candidate interviews may also be used.

• Candidates with backgrounds in varying disciplines are assessed by the prpgram's admissions committee on a case-by-case basis.  The most important factors remain research excellence and research potential as demonstrated through competitive grade standing, favourable reference letters and scholarly written work submitted as part of the application package.  

• To ensure a fair and objective review process, the program will not comment on the deliberation of the Admissions Committee and is unable to provide written or oral evaluations to applicants after the decisions are made.   No provisions exist for reconsideration of admissions after decisions are announced to the applicants.      

• Admitted students are expected to maintain continuous registration upon admission as well as throughout the course of study at the status that they initially applied to since it is the basis of admission and enrollment planning.  If they make a request to change their status between full-time and part-time after they have been admitted, their admission application will be re-assessed. There is no guarantee that there will be places available to accommodate the request.