4.6. Bachelor of General Studies degree program
(Three years — 90 credits)
The Bachelor of General Studies degree is one of the most popular programs at Athabasca University. It provides a framework of individualized study within an Arts and Science or Applied Studies designation that gives great freedom to choose courses to meet career or educational goals. Unlike the other degrees offered by Athabasca University, the Bachelor of General Studies does not have a residency requirement. Degree requirements may be completed at institutions other than Athabasca University.
The Bachelor of General Studies degree requires the completion of 90 credits and is comparable to a three-year program. Students may specialize or diversify their course selection subject to the following requirements. This degree allows students the freedom to develop their own intellectual and academic interests. This does not mean that course selection should be casual. Students should ensure their vocational or personal needs are well defined. All courses transferred to this degree must be university-level credit as determined by Athabasca University faculty.
Degree Regulations
Students in the Bachelor of General Studies degree program must choose either an Arts and Science or an Applied Studies designation.
Degree Requirements
| Total credits in the program |
90 |
Minimum credits required
- Credits in the area of designation
- Senior (300 or 400) level credits in the area of designation
- Total senior-level credits (including above 30)
- Humanities*
- Social Science
- Science
|
45
30
45
6
6
6 |
Maximum credits allowed
- At the preparatory (100) level
- At the junior (200) level in any one discipline
|
6
15 |
*ENGL 155, ENGL 177, ENGL 187, and ENGL 255 will not satisfy the Humanities area of study requirement in this program. They may, however, count as part of the total number of credits required for the degree.
Conditional Enrolment
Students will be granted conditional enrolment in the Bachelor of General Studies
degree program until the following requirement has been met:
- A pass on the Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test. For
information about this test, contact an Athabasca University learning centre.
- Exemption from the test is granted to students who satisfy one of the following
criteria:
- hold credit in ENGL 255 (ENGL 255 will not satisfy the Humanities
area of study. It will, however, count as part of the
total number of credits required for the degree); or
- have a grade of 70 percent or better in an Athabasca University English
course; or
- receive transfer credit for an English course in which a grade of
"B" or better was achieved.
- Arts and Science Designation
Students who chose an Arts and Science designation in the Bachelor of General Studies degree must complete a minimum of 45 credits of Arts and Science courses. Thirty of the credits must be at the senior (300 or 400) level.
- Applied Studies Designation
The Applied Studies designation includes courses in Administrative Studies. Transfer courses in engineering, education, physical education, etc. are also applicable to the Applied Studies designation.
Students who choose an Applied Studies designation in the Bachelor of General Studies degree must complete a minimum of 45 credits of Applied Studies courses. Thirty of the credits must be at the senior (300 or 400) level.
Students must also complete
ADMN 233 or ENGL 255 (or pass the Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test
(See Conditional enrolment). ADMN 233 will
partially satisfy the Applied Studies area of study requirement in this program.
|
Course Notes
The following courses can satisfy either the Social Science area of study or the
Science area of study requirements, but not both. To use these
courses to satisfy the Science area of study requirements you must call
Admissions and Evaluations Services and request the change.
ENVS 253 Global Environmental Change: The Scientific and Social Issues (3)
PSYC 289 Psychology as a Natural Science (3)
PSYC 355 Cognitive Psychology (3)
PSYC 387 Learning (3)
PSYC 402 Biological Psychology (3)
PSYC 404 Experimental Psychology (3) |
Bachelor of General Studies Second Undergraduate Degree Regulations
Minimum credits required
- Minimum credits not applied to a previous degree
- Credits in the area of designation
- Senior-(300 or 400) level credits in the area of designation
- Total senior-level credits (including above 30)
- Humanities
- Social Science
- Science
|
48
30
30
36
6
6
6 |
Maximum credits allowed
- At the preparatory (100) level
- At the junior (200) level in any one discipline
|
0
12 |
Students must choose either an Arts and Science or an Applied Studies designation and complete at least 30 senior credits in the chosen designation.
Possible Teaching Credential
Alberta Education has specific requirements for the certification of teachers for the purposes of upgrading towards an Alberta professional teaching certificate. Students planning to obtain a Bachelor of General Studies (B.G.S.) degree in order to meet certification requirements must already have completed a basic teacher preparation program acceptable to Alberta's Minister of Education. To obtain information regarding an assessment of the basic teacher preparation program towards the minimum requirements for certification in Alberta, and using the B.G.S. as a possible means to fulfilling the academic requirements, contact:
The Registrar
Alberta Education
Teacher Certification and Development Branch
Devonian Building
11160 Jasper Avenue
Edmonton, AB T5K 0L2
Phone: (780) 427-2045
Teachers wishing to have Athabasca University
courses or programs considered for salary purposes should contact:
Alberta Teachers' Association
Teacher Qualifications Service
Barnett House
11010 - 142 Street
Edmonton, AB T5N 2R1
Phone: (780) 453-2411
E-mail: pd@teachers.ab.ca
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