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Graduate Program in Social & Political Thought Faculty of Graduate Studies
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How to Apply

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The Graduate Program in Social & Political Thought welcomes applications from students who are interested in the analysis of social and political ideas with the aim of combining intellectual interests common to the humanities and social sciences. The program covers a wide range of intellectual approaches. Applicants should have a direction in mind for their research project prior to entering the program. They are encouraged to identify specific faculty members with whom they wish to work. Applicants should also signal their interest in one or more of SPT’s three streams.

1

History of Social and Political Thought,

2

Black Studies and Theories of Race and Racism

3

Economy, Consciousness, Aesthetics and Society.

Online applications are available through the Admissions Office from mid-October for entry the following September. Admission to both the MA and the PhD in Social & Political Thought is for the Fall term (September). The program does not admit students for Winter or Summer term start dates.

Program admission requirements, including links to general guidelines for assessing international degrees and qualifications, can be found here.

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Application Information

The Statement of Interest outlines your academic background and the nature of your studies. It charts the direction of your future research and, if possible, indicates the specific courses you wish to take and the faculty members with whom you wish to work. You may include any information that would support and strengthen your application. The Statement of Interest ought to provide evidence of a mature academic outlook. It may be as brief as two pages or as long as four pages.

Tips:

  • If your research will require you to work in a language other than English, please indicate whether you already possess knowledge of that language, or whether you plan to acquire it over the course of your studies.
  • Some students reach their research interests through professional or personal experiences. If you have preexisting ties to a community you wish to study—and you have already been involved with various institutions within that community—please include that information.
  • Some applicants have arranged or are planning to arrange connections with York’s research units. These units may provide funding and research opportunities. Please mention units relevant to your research, if there are any.

For the Written Work Sample, we suggest that you submit a recent essay that exhibits your interdisciplinary research. Where possible, the paper should be pertinent to the interests you wish to pursue in the program. Most submissions are between 15 and 40 pages. The Written Work Sample is often the deciding factor in selecting candidates.

Tips:

  • Longer is not better. Committee members read files in addition to their research and teaching duties.
  • You should ensure quality and consistency—which often means limiting the length of the sample.
  • You may submit two samples if their combined length falls below 40 pages. Please upload them as a single document and include a cover statement notifying readers that two samples are included.

Please submit a Curriculum Vitae. The CV or resume can help the program in assigning Teaching Assistantships to PhD students, but it is broadly pertinent to the selection process.

Applicants are encouraged to discuss the program and their academic goals with referees as early as possible. Please let your referees know that York University uses online forms for all graduate references and that they will receive a direct request from the Admissions Office once you enter their contact information. Referees who wish to provide a letter in an alternative format can email it directly to the Graduate Program Administrator at sptprog@yorku.ca.

Tips:

  • Not all referees will be familiar with SPT, so you may provide them with a link to this website.
  • Please equip your referees with your application materials.
  • Give your referees enough time to write a strong letter. Many professors write dozens of letters within a given application period.
  • Referees may comment on your research skills, your performance as a student, your language abilities, and your commitment to learning as they assess the strength of your submission.
  • It is the responsibility of applicants to follow up with referees when letters have not been submitted.
  • Academic references are preferred. However, applicants with a significant gap in their studies may include one non-academic reference.

Students currently in other graduate programs who are considering transferring into Social & Political Thought should be aware that they must seek entry through the admission process. Advanced standing, if applicable, is adjudicated through a petition only after a student is admitted and registered. Please note that advanced standing cannot be guaranteed and that courses do not count toward more than one degree.

Current and past York University students will retain their student number.

If you have extenuating circumstances, you may wish to include a separate letter explaining them (e.g., impact on grades).

FAQ

Once your MyFile is set up, you go into MyFile and add the names and email addresses of your referees. An automatically generated letter with then go to each of the referees requesting the reference and with the relevant details (your full name, identifying number, etc. to when the faculty members submit the reference, it will be automatically linked to your file.

Please note: If you apply over a weekend, or during the December holidays, your application will be held in cue but can only be processed and generated in the Myfile once the offices re-open.

Contact Admissions and they will arrange to have an email reference letter request go out to your referee as soon as possible.

Contact Admissions and they will arrange to have an email reference letter request go out to your referee as soon as possible.

Please submit supporting documentations before the application deadline or as close to it as possible.

Yes. Please submit all required materials and ensure that the Statement of Interest and the Written Work Sample are tailored to the Graduate Program in Social & Political Thought.

Students start getting offers in late February or early March. In addition, the program will also maintain a waitlist and will continue to make offers if spots open up until as late as June.

Once you have submitted your application, you can check on the documents submitted, the status of your application and any correspondence from Admissions through your “Myfile” online.

Learn More

The Graduate Program in Social & Political Thought at York is an exciting environment to pursue innovative, socially engaging, career-ready education. Contact our Graduate Program Assistant to learn more.

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How to Apply