Program overview
Labour studies is an interdisciplinary program that assesses the place of labour and working people in society. Courses draw on history, sociology, political economy, women's studies, industrial relations, and other fields.
This program will be of particular interest to trade union leaders and members. Course offerings include
- labour history
- work organization
- women and unions
- the theory and practice of trade unions
Athabasca University’s labour studies program is the only program of its kind in Canada that is available entirely via distance education.
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, Labour Studies 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, Labour Studies 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
- Humanities
- Inclusive Education
- Philosophy
- Political Economy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Public Administration
- Sociology
- Women's and Gender Studies
- 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.
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.
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
AU grants advanced credit in the labour studies program for some union education programs. For example, if you have completed
- a Labour College of Canada Intensive Program, you may be eligible to receive 9 credits
- the Canadian Auto Workers Paid Educational Leave course, you may be eligible to receive 3 credits
- the Canadian Postal Workers’ Union Education Program, you may be eligible to receive 6 credits
- the Alberta Union of Public Employees, you may be eligible to receive 6 credits
- the United Food and Commercial Workers Union, you may be eligible up to a maximum of 12 credits
We also grant credit for other union education programs and for other forms of prior learning, including life and work experience.
If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 30 credits at AU.
Program 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 or minor.
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.
Required courses
Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following links:
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.
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
By the end of the program, students will be able to:
- Identify different meanings of ‘labour’ that include paid and unpaid work, recognize skill differences and the effects of race and gender on workers and workers’ movements.
- Explain the economic, social and political conditions under which work is performed and under which workers organize to pursue their collective interests.
- Demonstrate how collective interests, reflecting different social positions, are articulated by workers and employers, respectively.
- Distinguish between opinions and scientific knowledge as qualitatively different ways to articulate collective interests.
- Draw on insights from different social sciences and combine these insights to get a fuller understanding of labour issues.
- Synthesize knowledge drawn from different academic and non-academic sources into comprehensive analyses of labour issues.
- Translate analytical insights on labour issues into strategies for labour.
Possible career options
- Labour/Union Organizer
- Affirmative Action Co-ordinator
- Placement Manager
- Union Staff Representative
- Training Specialist
- Personnel Consultant
- Conciliator
- Employment Counsellor
- Human Resources Administrator
- Union Labour Educator
- Trade Union Officer
- English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
Continuing education
At Athabasca University:
At other educational institutions*
- law
- education
- police studies
- social work
- library science
- journalism
- graduate studies in labour studies, history, sociology or political science or other related/unrelated disciplines
- teaching English as a second language (TESL)
* Some universities will not accept a 3-year degree for admittance into a graduate program. An additional year of study may be required. Entrance requirements vary among educational institutions. It is the students’ responsibility to research the entrance requirements of other universities.