Bachelor of General Studies
(Three years—90 credits) |
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Regulations
effective September 1, 2006
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Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR) offers you the opportunity to demonstrate your prior learning and receive credit toward your program. For more information, visit the PLAR website.
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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 offers students
the 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 are expected
to 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. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree. Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
Athabasca University advisors have developed a program plan to assist you.
Counselling Services offers an assessment Web site, "Mapping
Your Future: Your Career and Athabasca University." Athabasca University has also developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
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Degree Regulations
Students must choose either an Arts and
Science or an Applied Studies designation. |
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Program Structure |
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Total credits in the program |
90 |
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Residency requirement. |
None |
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Maximum Prior Learning
Assessment and
Recognition (PLAR) credits |
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Arts and Science (PLAR website) |
9
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Applied Studies (PLAR website) |
21 |
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Minimum Credits Required |
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Credits in the area of designation |
45 |
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• Senior (300 or 400) level credits in the area
of designation |
30 |
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Total senior-level credits(including above 30) |
45 |
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Humanities area of study*
*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. |
6 |
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Social Science area of study |
6 |
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Science area of study |
6 |
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Maximum Credits Allowed |
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At the preparatory (100) level |
6 |
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At the junior (200) level in any one discipline |
15 |
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English Writing Skills Requirement
Students must meet the following English
writing skills requirement in order to graduate. Please note, the English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree:
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pass the Alberta Universities Writing Competence
Test. (For information about this test contact an Athabasca
University Learning Centre. Refer to Section
8.12 Learning Centres);
or
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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
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have a grade of B- (70 percent) or
better in an Athabasca University (Refer to Section
8.12 Learning Centres) English
course above the preparatory
(100)
or
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receive transfer credit for an English course in which a grade
of B- or better was achieved.
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Arts and Science Designation
To satisfy the 90-credit requirement to
complete the BGS degree, students must complete 45 credits in courses
with an Arts (Humanites and/or Social Science) or Science designation (30 of these credits must be taken
at the senior (300 or 400) level). Refer to Minimum Credits Required
above.
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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.
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). Refer to Minimum Credits Required above.
Students in the Applied Studies designation in the Bachelor of
General Studies degree must also complete ADMN 233 or ENGL 255(or
pass the Alberta Universities Writing Competence Test). ADMN 233
will partially satisfy the Applied Studies area of study requirement
in this program.
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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, upon completion of the course, and request the change. |
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| ENVS 243/GLST |
Environmental Change in a Global Context |
(3) |
| PSYC 289 |
Psychology
as a Natural Science |
(3) |
| PSYC 355 |
Cognitive
Psychology |
(3) |
| PSYC 387 |
Learning |
(3) |
| PSYC 402 |
Biological
Psychology |
(3) |
| PSYC 304 |
Research Methods in Psychology*
*Students who have taken PSYC 404 are not required to take 304. |
(3) |
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Bachelor of General Studies
Second Undergraduate Degree Regulations |
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The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree. |
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Minimum Credits Required |
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Minimum credits not applied to a previous degree |
48 |
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Credits in the area of designation |
30 |
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• Senior (300 or 400) level credits in the area
of designation |
30 |
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Total senior-level credits (including above 30) |
36 |
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Humanities area of study* |
6 |
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Social Science area of study |
6 |
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Science area of study |
6 |
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Maximum Credits Allowed |
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At the preparatory (100) level |
0 |
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At the junior (200) level in any one discipline |
12 |
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Although it is not required, ENGL
255 will not satisfy the Humanities
area of study requirement in this program. It may, however,
count as part of the total number of credits required for the degree.
Students must choose either an Arts and Science or an Applied
Studies designation and complete at least 30 senior credits in
the chosen designation.
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Teaching Credential
For 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 degree in order
to meet certification requirements are advised to have completed a
basic teacher preparation program acceptable to the Alberta minister
of education. To obtain information regarding an assessment of the
basic teacher preparation program towards the minimum requirements
for certification in Alberta, and regarding the Bachelor of General
Studies degree as a possible means to fulfilling the academic degree
requirements, contact
Teacher Development and Certification
44 Capital Boulevard
10044-108 St.
Edmonton, AB
T5J 5E6
780.427.2045
Alberta 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
780.453.2411
pd@teachers.ab.ca
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