Undergraduate Programs
Bachelor of General Studies
(Three years—90 credits)
     
Regulations amended, effective September 1, 2009
 

 

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. 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.

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.  

Program Plans

Our online program plans can assist you in selecting the courses needed to fulfill your program requirements. Counselling Services offers an assessment website, "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.

   
 

Degree Regulations

Students must choose either an Arts and Science or an Applied Studies designation.

     
  Program Structure  
  Total credits in the program
90
  Residency requirement.
None
  Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. 24
  Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and
Recognition (PLAR) credits
  Arts and Science
9
  Applied Studies
21
     
  Minimum Credits Required  
  Credits in the area of designation
45
  • Senior (300 or 400) level credits in the area of   designation
30
     
  Total senior-level credits(including above 30)
45
  Humanities area of study*
*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
  Social Science area of study
6
  Science area of study
6
     
     
 
     
  Maximum Credits Allowed  
  At the preparatory (100) level
6
  At the junior (200) level in any one discipline
15
     
 

 

 
 

English Writing Skills Requirement

In order to graduate, students must meet the following English writing skills requirement:

     
• 

hold credit in ENGL 255 (Students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in their program.);
or

have a grade of B- (70 percent) or better in an Athabasca University English course above the preparatory (100) level;
or

•  
receive credit for an English course in which a grade of B- or better was achieved.
     

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.

 

     

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. ADMN 233 will partially satisfy the Applied Studies area of study requirement in this program.

 

     
 

Course Notes

The following courses can satisfy the requirements in either the Social Science area of study or the Science area of study, not both. If you want the course to satisfy the Science area of study, complete the course and request Admissions and Evaluation Services to make the change.

eval@athabascau.ca

     
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 may not take PSYC 304.
(3)

 

   
     
     
  Bachelor of General Studies Second Undergraduate Degree Regulations
  The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.  
     
  Minimum Credits Required  
  Minimum credits not applied to a previous degree
48
  Credits in the area of designation
30
  • Senior (300 or 400) level credits in the area
  of designation
30
  Total senior-level credits (including above 30)
36
  In the Humanities area of study
6
  In the Social Science area of study
6
  In the Science area of study
6
     
  Maximum Credits Allowed  
  At the preparatory (100) level
0
  At the junior (200) level in any one discipline
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.


     
 

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:

Alberta Education
Professional Standards Branch
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
780.447.9400 (in Edmonton)
800.232.7208 (toll-free in Alberta)
pd@teachers.ab.ca

     


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 • Information effective Sept. 1, 2009 to Aug. 31, 2010.
 • Links: Web Unit, Privacy & Conditions. © Athabasca University.
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