Faculty of Health undergraduate programs can lead to diverse academic and career pathways.
Career Pathways
Many graduates enter the workforce directly after completing their degree. Learn more by visiting the career-path pages for Kinesiology and Health Science, Psychology, Global Health, Health Studies, and Nursing.
Graduate Programs
Many careers benefit from, or require, graduate study. Faculty of Health undergraduate programs provide a strong foundation for master's and doctoral degrees in areas such as health, fitness science, neuroscience, biomechanics, public health, global health, epidemiology, psychology, nursing, and more.
The Faculty of Health offers graduate programs at the master's and doctoral levels across a range of disciplines.
Professional Programs
Many regulated professions require an accredited professional program for entry to practice. Faculty of Health undergraduate programs provide a strong foundation for admission to professional programs such as medicine, physiotherapy, optometry, dentistry, law and education.
The Faculty of Health offers professional programs in Nursing, Psychology, Athletic Therapy, and pending approval Medicine.
Why study in the Faculty of Health?
- Focus on clinical health topics with social science and humanities perspectives for a well-rounded experience
- Explore course offerings in prerequisites common to many professional programs such as statistics, anatomy, physiology, and social science
- Learn from internationally recognized researchers, instructors, and clinical practitioners, offering opportunities for valuable academic references
- Take advantage of hands-on experiences through volunteer and paid positions in research labs and in the community (e.g. hospitals, community health centres) to network and make your future application stand out
- Discover experiential education opportunities for real-world learning including hands-on labs, practicums, and co-op
Do you have a pre-med program?
A common misconception is that there is one perfect program when applying to a professional program. In practice, each professional school sets its own admission requirements, and those requirements can vary significantly between institutions. Differences may include admission average cut-offs, prerequisite courses and standardized assessment (e.g., MCAT) requirements.
Because graduate and professional programs place significant emphasis on academic performance, students are encouraged to choose a bachelor's degree program that genuinely interests them. Students often achieve stronger academic results in subjects they find engaging and meaningful.
Do your research
The following information can help you begin researching graduate and professional programs. As an applicant, you are responsible for reviewing the minimum admission and eligibility requirements for each institution you are considering.
Completing a bachelor's degree in the Faculty of Health does not guarantee admission to graduate or professional programs. Admission is competitive and is based on each program's requirements, as well as the strength of the applicant pool in each admission cycle.
Medical schools typically require several years of undergraduate study before admission. While admission requirements vary, many medical schools do not require a specific undergraduate major.
Programs such as Kinesiology and Health Science and Global Health are popular choices among students interested in pursuing a career in medicine.
York University is developing a School of Medicine that is planned to open in 2028, subject to the completion of accreditation and approval processes.
Counsellor and therapist are broad terms that may refer to a variety of professions, including psychotherapists, psychologists, social workers and psychiatrists.
Psychiatrists are medical doctors who specialize in psychiatry. This career path requires the completion of a medical degree.
In Ontario, becoming a psychologist or psychotherapist typically requires graduate education at the master's or doctoral level. A bachelor's degree is generally required for admission to accredited graduate programs, and undergraduate programs such as Psychology or Neuroscience can provide a strong foundation.
York University offers master's and doctoral degrees in psychology. Its Clinical Psychology stream, Clinical–Developmental Psychology stream, and the specialized Clinical Neuropsychology Stream have been accredited by the Canadian Psychological Association (CPA).
Social workers typically complete an accredited bachelor’s or master’s in Social Work. York U offers both an Bachelor’s and Master’s of Social Work accredited by CASWE. Psychology may be used as a pathway to the MSW.
York University’s Kinesiology and Health Science program (BA & BSc) is CCUPEKA accredited, and recognized by the College of Kinesiologists of Ontario, enabling graduates to complete the provincial exam for becoming a Registered Kinesiologist (RKin).
To become a physiotherapist in Ontario, a master’s degree is required. You can use your bachelor's degree (Kinesiology and Health Science would be great choice) to apply to any accredited graduate programs.
York University first cohort in the Master of Athletic Therapy will begin in May 2027.
York University offers three Bachelor’s of Science in Nursing (BScN) degrees that are accredited by CNO to lead to the designation of Registered Nurse: Direct Entry Nursing, 2nd Entry Nursing, and Post-RN for Internationally Educated Nurses.
To become a Nurse Practitioner, a master’s degree is required. You can use your BScN (All three of the Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing at York University are great options) to apply to accredited graduate programs.
York University’s Primary Health Care Nurse Practitioners Program is accredited by the CNO.
A Bachelor of Education (sometimes called Teacher’s College) is needed to become an elementary, middle, or high school teacher in Ontario. A Bachelor of Education typically needs to be completed concurrently or consecutively after a bachelor’s degree in another subject. Admission requirements vary, but most Bachelor of Education programs do not have a disciplinary requirement so any Bachelor’s program in the Faculty of Health could be an option (Psychology and Kinesiology and Health Science are both popular choices).
York University’s Bachelor of Education is accredited by Ontario College of Teachers (OCT).
A lawyer would need to have completed law school which typically requires at least 3 years of a bachelor's degree. Each law school may have different admission requirements, but typically any Bachelor’s program in the Faculty of Health could be an option as there is usually not a disciplinary requirement (Health Studies and Psychology are both popular choices).
York University’s Osgoode Hall Law School is accredited by LSO.