Bachelor of Professional Arts
Human Services Major

Regulations effective September 1, 2017.

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, personal support services, and other closely related fields such as educational assistants and counsellors. The program complements the diploma programs offered at community colleges in Alberta and across Canada.

Enrolment Routes

• Post-Diploma (PD) Transfer
• University Transfer (UT)
• Prior Learning

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 Advising Services.

Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.

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.

Prior Learning

Some students may qualify for

1. a maximum of 60 credits of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) towards entry to this program, or,
2. 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 General Requirements

Students must complete the following degree requirements within the Bachelor of Professional Arts program.

Program Requirements

Program Structure
Common Core credits	12
Major Courses credits	33
Options credits	15
A minimum of 18 credits at the 400 level including at least 9 credits in Human Services.	18
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
Maximum credits allowed in Business and Administrative Studies courses	15

Human Services Major (33 credits)

Student must complete 15 credits in Required Courses and 18 additional credits selected from the list of Elective Courses.

Required Courses (15 credits)

HSRV 201	Social Work and Human Services	(3)
HSRV 306	Critical Reflection for Practice	(3)
HSRV 311	Practice and Policy in the Human Services	(3)
HSRV 322	Ideology and Policy Evolution	(3)
HSRV 489	Capstone: A Synthesis of Program Learning Outcomes	(3)

Elective Courses (18 credits selected from the following)

All senior (300/400) level credits in:
	Anthropology (ANTH)
	Communication Studies (CMNS)
	Criminal Justice (CRJS)
	Educational Psychology (EDPY)
	Education Studies (EDUC)
	Governance (GOVN)
	Health Administration (HADM)
	Human Services (HSRV)
	Indigenous Studies (INST)
	Industrial Relations (IDRL)*
	Legal Studies (LGST)
	Organizational Behavior (ORGB)*
	Political Economy (POEC)
	Political Science (POLI)
	Psychology (PSYC)
	Social Anthropology (SOAN)
	Social Science (SOSC)
	Sociology (SOCI)
	Women's and Gender Studies (WGST)
Note: Courses that are not in the disciplines above, but are cross-listed with them, will meet the elective requirements.