Pursue Undergraduate Program in
Health & Society
About Health & Society
Look at health and healing critically from a multifaceted perspective and challenge the status quo.
The Health & Society (HESO) Program provides students with a toolkit for understanding health and illness, both as lived realities and as reflections of larger social, cultural and political processes, on a scale ranging from the interpersonal to the international. We value the kind of practical knowledge gained from experiential learning and seek to combine this with the development of rigorous critical analysis. Taken together, the courses that comprise a HESO degree give students a truly comprehensive understanding of health.
Our dedicated faculty bring diverse perspectives by applying an interdisciplinary approach, drawing from fields like sociology, political science, economics, cultural anthropology and social history. Our graduates are open to career paths or further studies in areas such as policy, community-based programs, supporting marginalized groups, the healing capacity of art, Indigenous and refugee health and journalism.
What you’ll learn
- Study of the application of medicine within economic and social agendas.
- Examine various issues and dilemmas facing modern health policy creation, implementation and improvement, both in Canada and on the global scale.
- Learn to express yourself in written position statements and in oral discussions and presentations.
- Understand the political, anthropological and economic aspects of the ideas of “illness” and “wellness” in contemporary societies.
Hands-on experiences
- Benefit from guest speakers and practitioners from government and advocacy organizations in the classroom, as well as Indigenous healers.
- Engage in group work, case studies, policy analysis, community-based interviews and workplace research, and course projects in health and healing that involve visual art, drama and literature.
- Take field trips to explore relevant Toronto locations, and enjoy virtual field trips with global health practitioners from UN agencies and international NGOs.
Questions?
Contact us at goyork@yorku.ca
Program Details
Offered By
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
Degrees Offered
BA
Fall Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Winter Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Summer Entry
Yes (first and upper year)
Ways to Study
Full-Time, Part-Time
Sample Schedule (First-year)
- Health Controversies: Issues of Health, Illness and Society
- Humanities or Social Science General Education course
- Natural Science General Education course
- Courses outside the major
Possible Career Paths
- Community health advocate
- Healthcare worker
- Public health officer
- Health administrator
- Health policy analyst
- health care researcher
Viewbooks
Undergraduate
View Viewbook (PDF)
Transfer & Mature
View Viewbook (PDF)
Indigenous
View Viewbook (PDF)
International
View Viewbook (PDF)
Admission Requirements
I am a high-school student I have completed at least one year of full-time study at college or university I have been away from high-school for at least two years I have never studied in a formal academic high-school environment Returning / Reactivating student (previously York) Visiting StudentsLiberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Baccalauréat Français
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- A maximum of 30 possible transferable credits may be granted for successful completion of the Baccalauréat Général. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Bachillerato
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
- Some programs require a higher GPA.
CAPE
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- A minimum overall average of 3 out of 7 is required. Higher grades required for certain programs.
- CAPE 2-unit courses, with results of 3 or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- Extra courses will be assessed for transfer credit. Applicants with the DEC may be awarded up to one full year of transfer credit.
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Chinese High School
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
Turkish High School
- Some programs require higher. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 4.0 or 70%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
GCE
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- GCE A2 examinations with results of "C" or better, are eligible for transfer credit, up to a maximum of 18 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum average of C is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of C.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Hong Kong
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
International Baccalaureate
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- IB Diploma with passes in six subjects: three passes at the Standard-level and three passes at the Higher-level, or two passes at the Standard-level and four passes at the Higher-level
- Transfer credit is granted for IB courses with Higher-level final grades of 5 or better, to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
To gain admission to this program, minimum IB diploma point scores of 28 is required.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires minimum IB diploma point scores of 28.
The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program specific basis. Some programs have limited enrolment. Admission is not guaranteed, and all requirements are subject to change.
Indian High School
- Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- Prerequisite courses should not be below a grade of 55%.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- All-India Senior School Certificate (AISSCE)
- Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC)
- Indian School Certificate (ISC)
- Intermediate Examination Certificate
- Pre-University Examination Certificate
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
OUAC code YRG
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
To be considered a mature student, you must:
be at least 20 years old by the end of the calendar year of admission to the University;
have been out of full-time high school studies for at least two years; and
have attempted less than one full year of studies at an accredited college or university.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
Tawjihyah
Minimum Requirements
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
United States High School
- Grade 12 graduation with a minimum overall average of "B" on Grade 11 and Grade 12 academic courses is required to be considered for most programs. Some programs require a higher average. Please review the requirements for your program below.
- SAT or ACT scores are not required for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum outside the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam.
- SATs/ACTs are considered in combination with high school grades.
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
For Fall (September) 2021 and Winter (January) 2022 entry, York University will deem the SAT/ACT as optional for students studying in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam. However, students who have completed a standardized test are encouraged to submit their test scores as it may support your application for competitive programs. SAT/ACT scores must be sent electronically from the College Board directly to York. Please browse the section below for pre-requisites and detailed admission requirements.
Note: An SAT/ACT test will be required from students who are not enrolled in a recognized accredited US curriculum high school in the United States, Puerto Rico or Guam or have not studied in a formal academic high-school environment.
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
- AP College Board examinations are eligible for transfer credit, for results of 4 or 5, up to a maximum of 30 credits. Please click here, then click “Transfer Credit Requirements” for details.
West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO) - minimum 6 academic courses
Required Documents for Preliminary Review
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies
BA
Requirements for admission:
To gain admission to this program, your academic average should be in the mid-70s.Maintaining your offer of admission to this program requires a final academic average of 70.
You are required to provide official evidence of academic achievement in secondary education. This can be demonstrated through:
- Final grades under the Ontario curriculum (obtained through correspondence, night school or through TVO)
- Credentials through other curricula, such as results from Advanced Placement (AP) or Advanced-level courses in the General Certificate of Education (GCE). (Students may register to sit for the AP and GCE examinations as private candidates.)
In the absence of final grades in courses:
- You must submit the results of standardized tests such as the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) with a minimum combined total of 1170 on the Critical Reading and Math components or a composite American College Testing (ACT) score of 24.
- Your application will be reviewed by an admissions sub-committee. If admitted, you will not be eligible for entrance scholarships. You will be considered for continuing student scholarships at the end of your first year of study, if you satisfy those criteria.
You may also be required to provide proof of language proficiency. You will be considered for entrance scholarships on the basis of your overall averages in the six 4U/4M (Ontario curriculum) or equivalent courses.