4.6. Bachelor of General Studies degree program
(Three years — 90 credits)
Introduction Back to 4.0
Introduction
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, and 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.
Students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in their program. However, the Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test may be used to indicate competence in English writing skills.
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 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 Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition credits
Arts and Science Applied Studies * ENGL 255 and the 100-level ENGL courses will not satisfy the Humanities area of study requirement in this program. These courses may, however, count as part of the total number of credits required for the degree.
Maximum credits allowed
At the preparatory (100) level At the junior (200) level in any one discipline
English Writing Skills Requirement
Students must meet the following writing skills requirement in order to graduate:
- A pass on the Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test. For more information about this test, contact an Athabasca University Learning Centre.
OR
- 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 B- (70 percent) or better in an Athabasca University English course above the preparatory (100) level;
OR
- receive transfer credit for an English course in which a grade of "B" or better was achieved.
Arts and Science Designation Requirements
To satisfy the 90-credit requirement to complete the BGS degree, students must complete 45 credits in courses with an Arts or Science designation (30 of these credits must be taken at the senior (300 or 400 ) level). Refer to Minimum Credits Required above.
Applied Studies Designation Requirements
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.
To satisfy the 90-credit requirement to complete the BGS degree, students must complete 45 credits in courses with an Applied Studies designation (30 of these credits must be taken at the senior (300 or 400) level). and 45 credits at the senior (300 and 400) level. Refer to Minimum Credits Required above.
Students in the Applied Studies designation in the Bachelor of General Studies degriee must also complete ADMN 233 or ENGL 255 (or pass the Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test (see English Writing Skills Requirement). 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, students 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 Maximum credits allowed
At the preparatory (100) level At the junior (200) level in any one discipline 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
For the purposes of upgrading towards an Alberta professional teaching certificate, Alberta Education has specific requirements for the certification of teachers. 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) 427-2045Alberta teachers wishing to have Athabasca University courses or programs considered for salary purposes are recommended to 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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