Critical Disability Studies

The MA program takes an interdisciplinary approach informed by various academic fields including law, anthropology, health studies, history, geography, economics, education, labour studies, political science, social work, sociology, identity politics, gender studies, and refugee and immigration studies. For instance theories of human rights form the basis for understanding how existing legal, economic and social rationales for inclusion relate to systemic barriers and oppression.

The program is offered full or part-time to students from a variety of backgrounds, including persons with disabilities engaged in the disability rights movement, government workers, professionals in the field of disability and people working in non-governmental organizations such as community organizations and advocacy groups.

Youâll have the opportunity to attend refereed conferences, publish in refereed journals and produce op-ed pieces right from your first year.

The PhD program offers a comprehensive curriculum covering major scholarly perspectives. It is offered on a full-time basis only.

The PhD. program structure and environment encourages advanced research, new scholarship and offers other opportunities to contribute to disability studies as an interdisciplinary field of critical inquiry. CDS enables a multi-disciplinary group of students to explore disability from a critical perspective in relation to social policy, social justice, human rights issues, and social movements in Canada and internationally.

Choose York:

• York offers the first critical disability studies program in Canada. It is research-based and deals with contemporary and historical questions. Our program emphasizes the importance of activism among both students and faculty; community involvement is an essential part of critical disability studies work.
• Faculty spans diverse disciplines including law, anthropology, health studies, geography, economics, education, fine arts, labour studies, political science, social work, sociology, identity politics, gender studies, refugee and immigration studies, history and aging studies.

• We offer a law and disability course that is distinct within our program.

Degrees Offered

MA

• You must have graduated from a recognized postsecondary institution holding an honours degree or equivalent. Some programs consider applicants with a three-year undergraduate degree and relevant work experience.
  
  Undergraduate degrees not designated as honours degrees may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree if they contain a minimum of 120 credits (typically, a four-year program with full time enrolment) including the completion of a minimum of 6 credits at the fourth-year level at an accredited postsecondary institution.
  
  Three-year first cycle undergraduate degrees from institutions that meet the criteria set forth in the Bologna Declaration may be acceptable as the equivalent of an undergraduate honours degree.
  
  If you completed your undergraduate or master’s studies outside Canada, you may need to complete additional courses to qualify for admission to a graduate program at York. Please contact the relevant program office for more information.
  
  If you have completed a four year undergraduate degree at an Ontario College of Applied Arts and Technology, you will need to contact Office of Admissions to have the requirement added to your record. This will allow your transcript to be uploaded to continue the admission process.


• A minimum grade point average (GPA) of at least a “B” or equivalent, is required. Most programs require at least a “B+” or equivalent. Your GPA is assessed over the last two years of undergraduate study (full time, or equivalent); or, if you have a master’s degree, we will use your highest level of education to calculate your GPA. Please be sure to check International Credential Equivalencies.
  
  Your GPA is a critical consideration is determining admissibility. Also, be sure to check the specific requirements of your program of choice. In rare cases, a program any choose to give priority to a candidates professional or creative accomplishments, or other relevant experiences, recommendations, portfolio, or test results.

If your first language is not English, you must show you have an acceptable level of English by completing a language proficiency test.

If you have completed at least one full year at an accredited university in a country where English is the official language of the institution, you may be exempt from this requirement.

1. Meet minimum admission requirements
2. Meet program-specific requirements
3. Know the application deadlines
4. Submit your application
5. Submit all required documentation
6. Check on Transfer Credit for Advanced Placement