Bachelor of Professional Arts
Human Services Major
Regulations effective September 1, 2011.
The Bachelor of Professional Arts Human Services major is offered by Athabasca University’s Centre for Social Sciences.
The program responds to the career and professional needs of career practitioners in the human services fields of early childhood education, child and youth care, rehabilitation services, and other closely related fields such as teacher assistants and counsellors. The program complements the diploma programs offered at community colleges in Alberta and across Canada.
Enrolment Requirements
The BPA Human Services major is available to:
- graduates of an approved two-year human services related diploma;
- graduates of a previous undergraduate university degree in an unrelated discipline (with at least one year of professional practice relevant to the Human Services major); or,
- students with a minimum of two years of university-level coursework (with at least one year of professional practice relevant to the Human Services major).
Coursework and credentials must have been obtained from a college, university or institute of technology approved by Athabasca University. Individuals who have questions about the eligibility of their previous education for admission are strongly encouraged to contact the program coordinator.
Program Planning
Students are strongly encouraged to plan an individualized program of study to
- consolidate and formalize their previous learning
- build on their existing knowledge
- broaden their knowledge base
- explore areas of interest, and
- prepare themselves for future education and career choices.
Plan your program of study carefully to ensure that you meet all of the degree requirements. A maximum of 12 credits may be completed at the 200 level including any 200-level courses in the required common core. You must also complete a minimum of 18 credits at the 400 level, including at least 9 credits in Human Services. If you need assistance, or for general information regarding the Human Services major, please contact the program coordinator.
Some students may qualify for
- a maximum of 60 credits of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) towards entry to this program, or,
- a maximum of 30 credits may be awarded toward the remaining credits in the program.
To learn more about PLAR opportunities within the Human Services major, please contact your program coordinator or the Centre for Learning Accreditation.
Program Learning Outcomes
Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Classroom Setting
In addition to completing this degree through online and distance learning, you may have the option to take courses for the Bachelor of Professional Arts (Human Services) in a classroom setting at other institutions. See Learning Services Collaborations for more information.
To Bachelor of Professional Arts program.
Students must complete the following degree requirements within the Bachelor of Professional Arts program.
| Program Structure | |
|---|---|
| Common Core credits | 12 |
| Major Courses credits | 36 |
| Options credits | 12 |
| Residency requirement. A minimum of 30 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University. | 30 |
| 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 credits *see Prior Learning above |
up to 60 credits towards entry or up to 30 after entry |
Major Courses (36 credits)
Student must complete six required courses and six additional courses; two chosen from each of the following three themes: Leadership, Public Policy Contexts, and A Changing Environment.
| Required Courses (6 credits) | ||
|---|---|---|
| HSRV 311 | Practice and Policy in the Human Services | (3) |
| HSRV 322 | Ideology and Policy Evolution | (3) |
Additional 18 Credits.
Select six credits from each theme.
The six theme-related courses create a strong multidisciplinary knowledge base in the areas of leadership, policy contexts and the rapidly changing world in which high-quality human service delivery occurs. The major courses offer a mix of traditional management and public administration along with innovative approaches that provide other possibilities for responding to rapid social change.
Students may select courses that will broaden and deepen their understanding or specialize, for example, by choosing aboriginal content or women’s and gender studies courses. With permission of the program coordinator other courses may be substituted under the theme headings to complement student's individualized program of study.
Eighteen credits must be completed at the 400 level. Students are advised to plan their program of study carefully to ensure that they meet all of the degree requirements.
Theme One: Leadership
Select 6 credits from the following outline. These courses emphasize communications, management, finance and social change.
Theme Two: Public Policy Contexts
Select six credits from the following outline. These courses emphasize government, law, society and healthy communities.
Theme Three: A Changing Environment
Select six credits from the following outline. These courses emphasize holistic approaches to communities, roots and sources, and methodology and research.
Options (12 credits)
Select 12 additional credits in any discipline at the senior (300/400) level. Students should select electives with a view to fulfilling the general degree requirements.
Notes: Please ensure your course selection meets the general degree requirements, especially the requirements of completing 18 credits at the 400 level, including at least 9 credits in Human Services.
Contact Advising Services to ensure your course selection complies with the degree requirements. Use a program planner to record your selections and track your process.
Information effective Sept. 1, 2011 to Aug. 31, 2012.
Updated September 18, 2013
