Bachelor of Arts Major in Humanities

At a glance

Credential: degree
Credits: 120
Next start: monthly

Explore the rich tapestry of humanity—be it culture, history, art, or philosophy. Our Humanities degree program is a diverse, interdisciplinary journey that invites you to pull from multiple academic areas to tailor a learning experience that resonates with you.

36
Average age
94%
Employment rate
^$45k
Median income
97%
Student satisfaction

Source: 2024 AU institutional data and 2024 Graduate Outcomes Survey (GOS)

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About Bachelor of Arts Major in Humanities

Study the manifestations of what makes us human, such as culture, literature, history, art, and philosophy. Humanities at Athabasca University is an interdisciplinary program that draws upon a variety of academic areas, including:

art history
classics
cultural studies
communications studies
history
literature
music
philosophy
religious studies

With Athabasca University, you're not just studying humanities, you're embracing a well-rounded understanding of human experience, all while enjoying the flexibility to study at your own pace.

Admission requirements

There are no formal admission requirements for the 4-year program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.

Program details

Overview

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, Humanities Major is an online, 4-year degree program. There are no set start dates – you can enrol at any time and register for courses right away.

Bachelor of Arts, Humanities Major (4-year online degree)

A 4-year degree fully prepares students for most graduate programs.
The 4-year BA program allows you to pursue either a double major or a minor.
- Double majors must meet the requirements for both majors, which may restrict course selection or require additional credits above the 120 required for the BA.
- You should talk to an academic advisor about your program and courses if you’re considering a double major.
- To earn a minor you must complete 30 credits in that subject area.
List of minors:
- Anthropology
- Canadian Studies
- English
- French
- Global Studies
- History
- Inclusive Education
- Labour Studies
- Philosophy
- Political Economy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Women's and Gender Studies

Note: AU does not offer an Honours BA.

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 4 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. The program may be completed faster if transfer credit is applied toward your degree.

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.

How to enrol in an undergraduate program

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 a minimum of 30 credits at AU.

Learn about transfer and advanced credit at AU

Request and send your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.

Learn more about MyCreds

Tuition and fees

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.

Estimated program costs are available in the Calendar.

Financial aid and awards

We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
0 credit total	$906	$906	$844	$844

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$223.50	$223.50	$207.50	$207.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
3 credit total	$921.50	$921.50	$859.50	$859.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
4 credit total	$1,145	$1,145	$1,067	$1,067

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
6 credit total	$1,592	$1,592	$1,482	$1,482

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a Province of Alberta student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
9 credit total	$2,262.50	$2,262.50	$2,104.50	$2,104.50

0 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
0 credit total	$1,093	$1,093	$1,031	$1,031

1 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
1 credit total	$223.50	$223.50	$207.50	$207.50

3 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
3 credit total	$1,108.50	$1,108.50	$1,046.50	$1,046.50

4 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
4 credit total	$1,332	$1,332	$1,254	$1,254

6 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
6 credit total	$1,779	$1,779	$1,669	$1,669

9 Credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for an out-of-province Canadian student in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee (*exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of Province Fee	$187	$187	$187	$187
9 credit total	$2,449.50	$2,449.50	$2,291.50	$2,291.50

0 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 0-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
0 credit total	$1,690	$1,690	$1,628	$1,628

1 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 1-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$219	$219	$203	$203
Students' Union Fee ($4.50)	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50	$4.50
Out of country fee	$261	$261	$261	$261
1 credit total	$484.50	$484.50	$468.50	$468.50

3 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 3-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$657	$657	$609	$609
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($13.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50	$15.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
3 credit total	$1,705.50	$1,705.50	$1,643.50	$1,643.50

4 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 4-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$876	$876	$812	$812
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($18) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$20	$20	$20	$20
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
4 credit total	$1,929	$1,929	$1,851	$1,851

6 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 6-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,314	$1,314	$1,218	$1,218
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($27) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$29	$29	$29	$29
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
6 credit total	$2,376	$2,376	$2,266	$2,266

9 credit

Student fees (regular and audit registrations) for a student living outside Canada in a 9-credit course are calculated by combining the following:
	Faculty of Business courses	Faculty of Health Disciplines courses	Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences courses	Faculty of Science and Technology courses
Tuition fee	$1,971	$1,971	$1,827	$1,827
Course Administration and Technology Fee	$177	$177	$163	$163
Course Materials Fee ( *exceptions apply)	$72	$72	$72	$72
Students' Union ($40.50) and Alumni Relations ($2) Fees	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50	$42.50
Out of country fee	$784	$784	$784	$784
9 credit total	$3,046.50	$3,046.50	$2,888.50	$2,888.50

Courses

Dive into a wide-ranging exploration of human culture and thought with our online humanities degree. With course selections that span art history to philosophy and language, you have the flexibility to tailor your studies to your interests while meeting the core interdisciplinary requirements.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Bachelor of Arts, plus those specific to your major, minor or concentration.

Our program course 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.

Program requirements

Program course plan

Calculate course fees

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.

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Career options

With a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Athabasca University, the doors are wide open to a range of career paths that value critical thinking, cultural awareness, and effective communication. Whether you're interested in fields like education, journalism, public relations, or social services, this program equips you with the skills and knowledge to navigate diverse professional landscapes confidently.

Occupations may include:

policy analyst
social and community service manager
researcher
government official
lobbyist
human rights officer
museum curator
nonprofit organization director
cultural advisor
international development worker
tourism officer
heritage manager

Resources and links

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