Get a broad liberal arts education with Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Arts, General. The general Bachelor of Arts program concentrates on 2 major areas of study: humanities and social sciences.
35
Average age
85%
Employment rate
$45k
Average salary
89%
Student recommended
Source: institutional data analysis
Q: Why take the Bachelor of Arts?
A:The Bachelor of Arts strengthens critical and creative thinking through a broad range of social, political, and cultural studies.
Q: How long will it take to complete?
A:Finish this program in as little as 3 years of full-time study or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion.
Program summary
Program overview
Get a broad liberal arts education with Athabasca University’s Bachelor of Arts, General. The general Bachelor of Arts program concentrates on 2 major areas of study:
Thehumanitiesfocus on the manifestations of what makes us human and include disciplines like the following:
You will also take some courses in science to ensure a well-rounded education.
The general Bachelor of Arts gives you the greatest opportunity to explore a wide variety of subjects in the humanities and social sciences. If you would prefer to focus your studies on a particular area, you may be interested in a 3-year BA with a concentration, or a 4-year BA with a major.
Why take the Bachelor of Arts?
The Bachelor of Arts strengthens critical and creative thinking through a broad range of social, political, and cultural studies. The program is designed to
broaden your perspective on local and global affairs
encourage community and social involvement
prepare you for lifelong learning and occupational diversity
Routes and options
The Bachelor of Arts, General is a 3-year online degree program. There are no set start dates – you can enrol at any time and register for courses right away.
A 3-year degree is a well-respected and marketable credential in Canada and the United States.
Itdoes notprovide direct access to graduate-level studies.
Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 3 years of full-time study or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion.
Admission requirements
There are no formal admission requirements for this program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.
How to apply
You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.
Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.
Transfer and advanced credit
If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU degree.
If you transfer credit, you must complete aminimumof 30 credits at AU.
Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.
You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.
Program learning outcomes
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 3-year Bachelor of Arts programs are well-respected credentials in Canada and the United States. While the three-year degree program is a highly marketable credential, it is not aimed at providing students with direct access to graduate level studies. Often an additional year of study is required to achieve that academic goal.
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.
Students may also be interested in the University Diploma in Arts, which is designed for students who wish to obtain an intermediate credential that provides a grounding in the intellectual skills required of university studies. It is also a foundation for further studies in humanities and social science.
Resources and links
Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.