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Bridging Program for Women

The School of Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies at York University offers academic bridging courses for women who want to upgrade their writing and speaking skills and explore the possibility of university study.

Bridging courses, for many participants, make the seemingly impossible, possible. Individuals who would not otherwise consider, or who may not have had access to university studies discover that they can develop the skills and the confidence to continue their education.

Learn ... in a supportive group environment

Improve ... reading, writing and speaking skills

Explore ... your education options and potential

Prepare ... for future university study

Program Information

Eligibility

Course participants must be 20 years of age or over, out of school for a minimum of 2 years, a permanent residents of Ontario, and comfortable in both spoken and written English. The Bridging course is not appropriate if you require ESL instruction.

Orientation

A week before classes begin, there is an information session held at the site where the course will be taught. This allows participants to learn about the course schedule and material, to ask questions of the instructor, and also to register and purchase books. 

Fees

This program is subsidized by York University as part of its community outreach program. The fee for community based courses is $150 per students, plus the cost of reading materials. Some book sets are available on a lending basis to those in financial need.

Course Completion

Upon completion, a grade of 'B' or better means you can get an offer of admission to the Faculties of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and Glendon in addition to some programs in other Faculties.

Note: If you have completed one full year or more of university or academic college studies, you may not need a bridging course to get admissions credential.

Course Details


Bridging courses normally span 13 weeks, with classes held once a week for three hours, typically in the evening. Class size ranges from 15 to 25 students depending on demand. Though other models are possible, and some of our courses have welcomed male participants, the majority of our courses have been designed exclusively for women.

Instructors are carefully chosen to be sensitive both to the needs of the community and/or workplace and to the academic standards of university-level education. All of our instructors have held or currently hold positions at York University, and are qualified to teach both content and critical skills.

Course Content


The course material, drawn from Canadian sources and written by women, focuses on issues and concerns pertinent to women, and gender and women’s studies. Over the years, topics have included issues of race, ethnicity and equity, the construction of gender, feminism and women’s activism. Participants have found the material relevant to their lives, and the open, supportive atmosphere essential to their individual growth, self-esteem and academic self-confidence.

Students are given an opportunity to practice oral skills in group discussions and formal seminar presentations. They learn and are given an opportunity to apply and practice a range of strategies for reading fiction and non-fiction, for identifying and evaluating arguments, for analyzing an assignment, generating ideas, developing a thesis, and so on. In addition to in-class writing assignments and oral presentations, students are required to complete a variety of formal writing assignments.

Upcoming Course - Postponed

Course participants must be 20 years of age or over, permanent residents of Ontario, and comfortable in both spoken and written English. A grade of 'B' or better offers admission to mature students to the Faculties of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies and Glendon College, in addition to some programs in other Faculties.  The Bridging course is not appropriate if you require ESL instruction.  If you have completed one full year or more of university or academic college studies, you may not need a Bridging course as an admissions credential.

Course Dates:
Time of course: weekly on Thursdays, 6 - 9 p.m.

Location:
201 Founders College
York University
School of Gender, Sexuality and Women’s Studies  
4700 Keele Street  
Toronto, ON M3J 1P3  

Registration Course fee:
The Registration Course fee of $150 will be generously covered by:
Women's Crisis Services of Waterloo Region

Bridging Book

25 Years of Bridging Courses for Women at York University

We are pleased to announce the availability of a book that chronicles the history, development and successes of the Bridging Program for Women.

Learn More

To register or get further information on the Bridging Program, please contact Celeta Irvin: 416-736-2100 ext. 77818; cirvin@yorku.ca.