Social Policy programs in Ontario
78 programs across 23 campuses, with published admission ranges starting at 70%. Sorted by the range each one publishes, lowest first, so you can see where you land.
Programs
78
Campuses
23
Lowest range
70%
What this leads to
The picture for social policy as of 2026-08-17, not a description of this particular program.
Social policy graduates work in government departments developing and delivering programs that enhance the wellbeing of Canadians, collaborating with provinces, territories, municipalities, and Indigenous partners. Specific roles include policy analysts, program officers, and research staff in government agencies like Employment and Social Development Canada.
In its favour
- Government jobs offer relative stability and benefits in an uncertain job market
- Demand for policy expertise on emerging issues like AI governance and worker protection is growing
- You're working on problems with direct social impact—housing, childcare, benefits, inequality
Worth knowing
- AI-driven systems are automating routine analytical and decision-making tasks that traditionally employed policy staff
- Entry-level policy jobs are often contract-based or limited-term, not permanent positions
- Advancement typically requires a graduate degree (Master's in public policy, law, or social work)
- Government hiring freezes and budget constraints mean fewer positions than degree holders seeking them
How AI is changing this work
AI is automating routine tasks like case processing and eligibility assessment that policy offices currently handle, meaning junior roles doing data analysis and compliance work are shrinking. However, AI is also creating new demand for policy expertise in AI governance and decision-making processes. The field is not disappearing, but the entry-level jobs are consolidating—you'll need either strong technical skills (data science, coding) to work on AI policy itself, or you'll need to move quickly into senior analysis and strategy roles rather than staying in administrative positions.
Where this came from (6 sources)
- 1. Employment and Social Development Canada 2026–27 Departmental Plan
- 2. Government of Canada calls for project proposals to make workplaces more diverse, inclusive and safe - Canada.ca
- 3. Canada Summer Jobs 2026 - Canada.ca
- 4. Employment and Social Development Canada - Canada.ca
- 5. Employment and Social Development Canada’s 2025 to 2026 Departmental plan: At a glance
- 6. Operating context - Employment and Social Development Canada’s Departmental plan for fiscal year 2026 to 2027
All 78 programs
- 70%Saint PaulÉthique et enjeux sociaux contemporains (certificat, temps partiel seulement) (1 an)
- 70%Saint PaulÉtudes de Conflits (Baccalauréat ès arts spécialisé) (4 ans)
- 70–80%OttawaÉtudes des conflits et droit humains (4 ans)
- 70%Saint PaulBaccalauréat ès arts spécialisé en éthique et enjeux sociaux contemporains (BA) (4 ans)
- 70%Trent (Durham)Child & Youth Studies & Sociology
- 70–80%OttawaConflict Studies and Human Rights (4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available)
- 70%LakeheadCriminology (Orillia)
- 70%LakeheadEconomics (Thunder Bay)
- 70%LaurentianÉquité, diversité et droits de la personne
- 70%Saint PaulEthics and Contemporary Social Issues (Certificate, Part-time Only) (1 year)
- 70–80%OttawaFeminist and Gender Studies and Political Science (Joint Honours – 4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available)
- 70%Trent (Durham)Gender & Social Justice
- 70%LaurentianGerontology
- 70–75%Guelph-HumberHonours Bachelor of Applied Science in Justice Studies and Diploma in Community & Justice Services OR Policing & Community Safety
- 70–75%Guelph-HumberHonours Bachelor of Applied Science in Social Services & Well-Being Studies and Social Service Worker Diploma
- 70%Saint PaulHonours Bachelor of Arts with Major in Faith, Ethics and Justice (4 years)
- 70%Saint PaulHonours Bachelors of Arts with Major in Ethics and Contemporary Social Issues (BA) (4 years)
- 70%UOFHuman plurality (Hon)
- 70%LaurentianIndigenous Social Work
- 70%Saint PaulInnovation sociale (Baccalauréat ès arts spécialisé) (4 ans)
- 70%Saint PaulInnovation sociale (certificat, temps partiel seulement) (1 an)
- 70–80%OttawaInternational Development and Globalization (4 years) (French Immersion Stream is available)
- 70%LakeheadPhilosophy (Thunder Bay)
- 70–73%Ontario TechPolitical Science
- 70–80%WindsorPolitical Science
- 70–77%YorkPolitical Science (BA, iBA - Co-op available)
- 70–77%York (Glendon)Political Science (BA, iBA)
- 70–75%TMUPolitics and Governance (Co-op Available)
- 70–75%TMUPublic Administration and Governance (Part-time Studies Only)
- 70%Saint PaulRésolution de conflits (certificat, temps partiel seulement) (1 an)
- 70–80%OttawaScience économique et science politique (Bidisciplinaire – 4 ans)
- 70%Saint PaulSocial Innovation (Certificate, Part-time Only) (1 year)
- 70%Saint PaulSocial Innovation (Honours Bachelor of Arts) (4 years)
- 70–73%Ontario TechSociety, Technology and Human Values
- 70%LakeheadSociology (Thunder Bay)
- 70–75%TMUUndeclared Arts (First Year Studies Only)
- 73–77%Laurier (Brantford)Applied Health Sciences (BASc)
- 73–80%YorkCities, Regions, Planning (BES - Co-op available)
- 73–80%York (Glendon)Economics (BA, iBA)
- 73–77%YorkEnvironmental Arts & Justice (BES - Co-op available)
- 73–80%York (Glendon)Ethics and Political Philosophy (BA, iBA)
- 73–80%YorkGender, Sexuality and Women's Studies (BA, Co-op available)
- 73–80%YorkGlobal Health (BA, Co-op available)
- 73–77%YorkGlobal Health (BSc, Co-op available)
- 73–77%YorkGlobal Political Studies (BA - Co-op available)
- 73–80%YorkHealth Policy, Management & Digital Health (BHS, Co-op available)
- 73–77%YorkHuman Rights & Equity Studies (BA- Co-op available)
- 73–77%BrockLabour Studies
- 73–77%BrockPolitical Science
- 73–77%YorkPublic Administration (BPA- Co-op available)
- 73–77%BrockPublic Health
- 73–77%Ontario TechPublic Policy - Undergraduate Diploma
- 73–80%YorkUndeclared Major (BA)
- 73–77%BrockWomen's and Gender Studies
- 74–80%GuelphFamily Studies and Human Development (BASc)
- 75%LaurentianÉducation concurrente avec Arts - moyen/intermédiaire
- 75%CarletonCommunication and Media Studies
- 75%LaurentianConcurrent Education with Social Work - Junior/Intermediate
- 75%WindsorConcurrent General Bachelor of Arts (Political Science)/Bachelor of Education
- 75%Trent (Durham)Policing & Community Well-Being
- 75–80%CarletonSocial Work
- 77–80%Laurier (Waterloo)Arts Degree (BA) + Master's Degree (MA or MAP or MIPP)
- 77–83%U of T (Scarborough)Psychology & Health Studies (regular and co-op)
- 80%OttawaÉtudes des conflits et droits humains et Maîtrise en études de sécurité et défence (4 ans)
- 80%OttawaConflict Studies and Human Rights and Master in Security and Defence Studies (4 years)
- 80–86%GuelphCriminal Justice and Public Policy (BA) Honours (co-op option)
- 80–85%TrentGender & Social Justice (Hounours Arts) – Co-op
- 80–87%McMasterHonours Health & Society I
- 80%WindsorPolitical Science (with Co-op)
- 80–82%CarletonPublic Affairs and Policy Management
- 80–87%WaterlooPublic Health (Regular/Co-op)
- 80–83%BrockPublic Health and Master of Public Health
- 80–83%RenisonSocial Developmental Studies and Bachelor of Social Work Double Degree
- 80–87%McMasterSocial Sciences I
- 80%OttawaTravail social (4 ans)
- 83–90%WaterlooHealth Sciences (Regular/Co-op)
- 83–87%McMasterWilson College Leadership and Civic Studies I
- 87–93%WesternHealth Sciences
Other subjects
- Business Studies 203
- Interdisciplinary Studies 187
- Computer Science 135
- Education Studies 117
- Environmental Studies 116
- Psychology 109
- General or Integrated Engineering 104
- Law & Criminology 101
- Media and Communication Studies 98
- Economics 95
- Biological Sciences 92
- Others in Subjects Related to Medicine 92
Ranges are what universities publish, not guaranteed cutoffs. Work out your top 6 to see which of these you actually clear.