Bachelor of Arts

The Bachelor of Arts (BA) is a well-established, foundational degree recognized both across Canada and around the world.  A general education component that helps students develop a broad base of knowledge and skills is central to the degree.  Students also specialize in the theory and methods of selected fields of study.  The B.A. degree encourages students to develop a broad sense of citizenship, international experience, a uniquely interdisciplinary perspective, and it prepares students for entry into various professional schools (e.g. education, law, social work), employment in various careers, or graduate-level training and research.

The following three types of B.A. degrees are available:

BA - Major BA - Honours BA - General (Double Concentration)
Students develop a considerable level of conceptual sophistication, intellectual autonomy, and specialization in a particular field. Students develop a high level of conceptual sophistication, intellectual autonomy, and specialization in a particular field. Students carry out independent scholarly research and show capacity for advanced intellectual work. Students develop a moderate level of conceptual sophistication, and focus in at least two fields of study.
This is the standard B.A. program taken by most students. This program is intended for high-achieving students planning post-graduate studies. This degree can satisfy entry requirements for certain professional programs, or provide access to certain careers.

New students are normally admitted into the BA-Major program (120 credit hours).  Alternatively, students may choose the BA-General program (90 credit hours).  Students wishing to complete a BA-Honours program may seek admission at a later stage provided they have achieved a minimum Grade Point Average of 3.00.

Requirements for Completing a B.A. Degree

BA - Major BA - Honours BA - General (Double Concentration)
120 credit hours 120 credit hours 90 credit hours
BA Breadth Requirements BA Breadth Requirements BA Breadth Requirements
66 credit hours: 2000 level or higher in Arts 66 credit hours: 2000 level or higher in Arts 48 credit hours: 2000 level or higher in Arts
A minimum of 36 and maximum of 48 credit hours to complete a selected Major (as specified by Departments or Programs) with at least 18 credit hours at the 3000 level or above. At least 60 credit hours in the Honours subject, of which 48 credit hours must be at the 2000 level or higher. 18 credit hours at the 3000 level or above in the Honours subject is also required. 24 distinct credit hours in each of two Arts subject areas (for a total of 48 to complete the two concentrations) with at least 12 credit hours in each subject area at the 3000 level or above.
Minimum Grade Point Average of 2.00 in the credits constituting the Major. Minimum Grade Point Average of 3.00 in the 60 credit hours constituting the Honours subject, with grades of B or higher in at least 48 credit hours, and no grade lower than C. Minimum Grade Point Average of 2.00 in the credits constituting the two concentrations.
A Minor may be declared as part of the degree program. A Minor may be declared as part of the degree program. Minors in any Arts subject areas are not allowed. Minors in a non-Arts subject area, the Minor in Business or the Minor in Entrepreneurship may be declared.
Up to thirty (30) credit hours from non-Arts fields of study may count toward the degree. Up to thirty (30) credit hours from non-Arts fields of study may count toward the degree. Up to eighteen (18) credit hours from non-Arts fields of study may count toward the degree.
Minimum Degree Grade Point Average of 2.00 Minimum Degree Grade Point Average of 3.00 Minimum Degree Grade Point Average of 2.00
COOP Degree Option Available COOP Degree Option Available

B.A. Breadth Requirements

The Bachelor of Arts Breadth Requirements are designed to expose students to a variety of perspectives and give them knowledge and skills that will serve as a foundation for their subsequent education, regardless of their program(s). First year students must complete six (6) credit hours toward the breadth requirements during their first thirty (30) credits. Transfer and articulation students who have not fulfilled their breadth requirements must also complete at least six (6) credit hours in their first thirty (30) credits. All students must complete the B.A. Breadth Requirements before they graduate.

a. Development of literacy and cultural understanding
Three credit hours in English at the 1000-level3
b. Development of logical reasoning and analytical skill
Select six credit hours from the following:6
Linguistics
A language other than English (French, Chinese, Spanish, Japanese, German, Latin, Greek)
A course in mathematical science (MATH 1190 Fundamental Mathematics, MATH 1202 Concepts & Topics in Mathematics, MGSC 1205 Quantitative Methods I, MGSC 1206 Quantitative Methods II or MISA 1225 Introduction to Computer Applications)
A natural science (ASTR, BIOL, CHEM, ENVS, GEOL, PHYS. Please note that PSYC courses do not fulfill this requirement.)
PHIL 1200
Critical Thinking
c. Interpretation of human imagination and experience
Select nine credit hours from at least two of the following programs:9
Atlantic Canada Studies
Ancient Studies
Asian Studies
English Language and Literature
History
Intercultural Studies
Irish Studies
Culture courses in Languages and Cultures
Philosophy (Other than PHIL 1200)
Public Humanities & Heritage
Religion
d. Analysis of structures and systems of social life and aspects of nature
Select 12 credit hours from at least 3 of the following programs:12
Anthropology
Criminology
Economics
Environmental Studies
Geography
Global Developmental Studies
Health, Wellness and Sport in Society
Political Science
Psychology
Social Justice & Community Studies
Sociology
Women's Studies
Total Credit Hours30

Programs in the Bachelor of Arts 

Subject Area Honours BA (120-credit-hr) BA Major (120-credit-hr) BA Double Concentration (90-credit-hr) Minor Certificate Elective Courses
Anthropology X X X X X
Ancient Studies X X X X
Arabic X
Archaeology and Material Culture X X
Asian Studies X X X X X
Atlantic Canada Studies X X X X X X
British Studies X X
Chinese X X
Creative Writing X X
Criminology X X X
Culture, Race and Resistance X X
Dramatic Literature X X
Economics X X X X X
Education X
English X X X X X
English Literature X X
Entrepreneurship X X
Film Studies X X
French X X X X X X
Geography X X X X X
German Studies X X X X
Global Development Studies X X X X X
Global Environmental Politics X X
Health, Wellness and Sport in Society X X X
Hispanic Studies X
History X X X X X
Indigenous Studies X X
Intercultural Studies X X X
Irish Studies X X X X
Japanese X X
Latin American Studies X
Law and Ethics X
Linguistics X X X X X X
Mathematics X X X X X
Peace & Conflict Studies X X
Philosophy X X X X X
Political Science X X X X X
Psychology X X X X X
Public Humanities & Heritage X
Religion X X X X X
Science, Technology, and Society X X
Social Justice & Community Studies X X X X
Sociology X X X X X
Spanish X X X X X
Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies X X