Bachelor of Arts Degree with Major (Four years—120 credits)

• English Writing Skills Requirement
• Second Undergraduate Degree Requirements
• Double Major
• Change of Major
• Minors
• Degree Conversion Provision
• Classroom Setting
• Majors

The mission of the Bachelor of Arts is to strengthen your critical and creative thinking by offering a broad range of social, political, and cultural programs of study. A liberal arts education from Athabasca University is designed to broaden your perspective on local and global affairs, encourage community and social involvement, and prepare you for lifelong learning and occupational diversity.

The four-year Bachelor of Arts provides students with a broad, flexible education that allows them to develop, understand, and disseminate knowledge, to think critically, and to build on these abilities. In addition, the four-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs. Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts with a major are expected to have gained sufficient analytical and critical thinking skills to be able to engage in independent research in their chosen major. Athabasca University does not offer an Honours BA.

Although you may change majors, a major must be selected when you enrol in the four-year Bachelor of Arts program. You may select from the following majors: Anthropology, English, French, History, Humanities, Labour Studies, Political Economy, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

Students enrolled in the three-year Bachelor of Arts program who wish to transfer to the four-year Bachelor of Arts program must complete a new Undergraduate General Application Form. Previous education will be reassessed and students will be notified of the results.

You are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in your program. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.

Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.

Double Majors

Students in the Bachelor of Arts program, as either a first or second undergraduate degree, generally have the option to combine two majors if they wish. Students who undertake double majors must fulfill all requirements for both majors. Depending upon the majors chosen, this may greatly restrict course selection (particularly in the second undergraduate degree program) or require the completion of more than 120 credits. Students considering enrolling in double majors should consult with an Athabasca University advisor for assistance in selecting their programs and courses.

Change of Major

You may change majors at any time. You will be placed in the current regulations. If you wish to remain in the regulations that were in effect at the time of your original enrolment, contact Admissions and Evaluations Services. Please reference the appropriate Calendar, e.g., 2002-2003 regulations. To request a change of major, complete and submit a new Undergraduate General Application Form. No fees are required.

Minors

A student has the option of taking a minor in addition to their major. Although students must declare a major when they become BA program students, they may declare a minor at any point in their studies. A BA minor comprises 30 credits distinct from the major in a related discipline in the Humanities or Social Sciences offered at Athabasca University. At least 15 of the 30 minor credits must be at the 300 or 400 level. If they choose a minor, students must still complete all requirements of the major. No course can be used to complete requirements for both the major and the minor. The minor will be recorded on the transcript. BA minors now available are Anthropology, Canadian Studies, English, French, Global Studies, Heritage Resource Management, History, Humanities, Inclusive Education, Labour Studies, Philosophy, Political Economy, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Sociology, and Women’s and Gender Studies.

Degree Conversion Provision

The degree conversion provision is available to Athabasca University students who have been awarded a three-year AU degree and wish to convert to a four-year degree. For more information about this regulation, please review the Undergraduate Degree Conversion From Three- to Four-Year Program Policy.

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."

Classroom Setting

In addition to completing this degree through online and distance learning, students have the option to take Bachelor of Arts courses in a classroom setting at several institutions. See Partnerships and Student Recruitment for partners.

Majors

• Anthropology Major
• English Major
• French Major
• History Major
• Humanities Major
• Labour Studies Major
• Political Economy Major
• Political Science Major
• Psychology Major
• Sociology Major
• Women’s and Gender Studies Major

Bachelor of Arts Degree with Major
(4 years – 120 credits)

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

English Writing Skills Requirement

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 per cent) 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.

Second Undergraduate Degree Requirements

Students are not permitted to obtain a second undergraduate degree in the same field or related field as their first undergraduate degree. Students who have completed a previous undergraduate degree must enter the second undergraduate Bachelor of Arts four-year degree and follow these regulations. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.