Pursue Undergraduate Program in

Work & Labour Studies

Understand the rapidly changing world of work–and its impact on workers.

Join the only program of its kind and focus on how work and labour are changing in our global society. Discover how work influences how we live and think about the world, while exploring the complex nature of work and employment, the impact of globalization and the role of trade unions. 

In dynamic courses with many hands-on opportunities for learning, you’ll critically examine public policy, parliamentary process, automation, robotization, government programs and how they impact labour and work. Dive into critical ideas about occupational health and safety, and how climate change is impacting employment. 

Many of our faculty are on the front lines of key public policy. As a graduate, you’ll be well-prepared for employment in the labour movement, private industry, government service, journalism, public or private administration, social work, law or teaching. 

What you’ll learn

  • Understand fields related to work and labour, and the core pillars of economic, social and political theory.
  • Gain exposure to the intricacies of worker relations and questions about inequality, rights, workplace conditions requirements and ethics.
  • Understand key legal questions surrounding work and labour relations in Canada and abroad.

Hands-on experiences

  • Gain practical experience through co-op placements, including advocacy work with NGOs. 
  • Interactive courses present experts from the field, role-playing activities, such as a mock parliament, and field trips to meet union and economic leaders. 
  • Get involved with the Global Labour Research Centre which sponsors conferences and workshops.

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)

  • The Future of Work (WKLS Course)
  • Humanities General Education course
  • Social Science General Education course
  • Natural Science General Education course
  • Elective course outside the major

Possible Career Paths

  • Career counsellor
  • Industrial relations manager
  • Labour market researcher
  • Occupational health and safety officer
  • Labour policy analyst
  • Injured workers advocate
  • Employment standards enforcement officer
  • Labour lawyer
  • Union organizer
Explore what you can do with your degree
Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

BA

Requirements for admission:
  • Alberta High School Diploma
  • ELA30-1 or English 30
  • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
    • 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:
    • British Columbia Secondary School Graduation Diploma
    • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
    • And four additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
      • 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:
      • Baccalauréat Général
          • 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.
          Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

          BA

          Requirements for admission:
        • Successful completion of the final year of senior studies
          • Minimum overall result of “Bien/Buena/Bueno/Good” on all academic courses.
          • Some programs require a higher GPA.
          • Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

            BA

            Requirements for admission:
          • Diploma with a total of at least six units, including prerequisites, and grades of 1, 2 or 3 in each unit.
            • 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:
            • One year of CEGEP
            • 2 semesters of English (code 603) / Français (code 601)
            • And ten additional academic courses (high-school equivalent courses not accepted)
                • 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.
                Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                BA

                Requirements for admission:
              • Senior Secondary School Graduation Certificate
                • Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                  BA

                  Requirements for admission:
                • Lise Diplomasi
                  • Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                    BA

                    Requirements for admission:
                  • General Certificate of Education (GCE) Examinations
                      • 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.
                      Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                      BA

                      Requirements for admission:
                    • Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)
                      • Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                        BA

                        Requirements for admission:
                      • International Baccalaureate Diploma
                        • 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.
                          Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                          BA

                          Requirements for admission:
                        • Completion of one of the following:
                          • 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:
                          • Manitoba High School Diploma
                          • English 40S
                          • And four additional 40S level academic subjects (no more than one at the 40G level)
                            • 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:
                            • New Brunswick High School Graduation Diploma
                            • English 120, 121 or 122
                            • And five additional Grade 12 academic subjects (college preparatory 120, 121 or 122)
                              • 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:
                              • Newfoundland and Labrador High School Graduation Diploma
                              • English 3201
                              • And nine additional credits at the 3000 level
                                • 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:
                                • Nova Scotia High School Graduation Diploma
                                • English 12
                                • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (university preparatory academic or advanced)
                                  • 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:
                                  • Nunavut High School Graduation Diploma
                                  • ELA30-1 or English 30
                                  • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
                                    • 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:
                                    • Northwest Territories High School Graduation Diploma
                                    • ELA30-1 or English 30
                                    • And four additional academic courses numbered 30 or 31
                                      • 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:
                                      • Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)
                                      • ENG4U
                                      • And five additional 4U or M courses
                                        • 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 YRM
                                          Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                                          BA

                                          Requirements for admission:
                                        • Completion of a diploma program or at least two full semesters or one year of full-time academic study at an accredited college
                                        • Overall average of 3.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                        • 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:
                                        • Completion of at least four full-year courses or one year of full-time degree studies at an accredited university
                                        • Applicants to Honours-level program: Overall average of 2.3 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                        • Applicants to Bachelor-level program: Overall average of 2.0 or better on a 4-point scale (or equivalent)
                                        • Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                                          BA

                                          Requirements for admission:
                                        • Prince Edward Island Senior Secondary School Diploma
                                        • English 621
                                        • And four additional Grade 12 academic subjects (numbered 611 or 621)
                                          • 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:
                                          • Quebec Grade 12 Certificate of Graduation
                                          • Grade 12 English
                                          • And five additional academic (university preparation level) subjects
                                            • 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:
                                            • Transcript of Secondary Level Achievement
                                            • English A30 and English B30
                                            • And three additional Grade 12 academic subjects numbered 30
                                              • 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:
                                              • General Secondary Education Certificate
                                                • Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                                                  BA

                                                  Requirements for admission:
                                                • High School Diploma
                                                    • 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.
                                                    Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                                                    BA

                                                    Requirements for admission:
                                                  • West African Senior School Certificate Examination (WASSCE) or National Examinations Council (NECO)
                                                    • Liberal Arts & Professional Studies

                                                      BA

                                                      Requirements for admission:
                                                    • Yukon High School Diploma
                                                    • English 12 or English 12 First Peoples
                                                    • And three additional Grade 12 Academic subjects
                                                      • 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.