Bachelor of Arts, Labour Studies Major
The mission of the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) 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 Bachelor of Arts (4-year) 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 (4-year) 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 enrolled in the Bachelor of Arts (3-year) program who wish to transfer to the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) program must complete a new Undergraduate General Application Form. Previous education will be reassessed and students will be notified of the results.
Labour Studies Major
Athabasca University’s Labour Studies program is designed for students who want to know more about the position of labour and working people in society. It will be of particular interest to trade unionists at both the leadership and general membership levels. Offerings include courses in labour history, work organization, women and unions, and the theory and practice of trade unions.
Planning your program
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."
Athabasca University has developed program learning outcomes that describe the career options that may be available to you upon graduating.
Program requirements
Students complete the program regulations in effect at the time of their enrolment.
Although you may change majors, a major must be selected when you enrol in the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) program.
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.
Program structure
| Total credits in the program | 120 |
| Minimum credits required | |
|---|---|
| At the senior (300 or 400) level (including 18 credits at the 400 level) | 75 |
| In the major (compulsory) * may be higher depending on the specific requirements of the major | 45* |
| Minimum senior-level credits in major (including a minimum of 12 credits at the 400 level) | 30 |
| Arts (Humanities and social sciences) | 96 |
| 18 18 |
| Science | 6 |
| Residency requirement. A minimum of 30 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University. | 30 |
| Graduation with Distinction or Great Distinction. At least 24 credits must be obtained through Athabasca University in order to be considered. | 24 |
| Minor (optional) | |
| Minimum credits in the minor (including a minimum of 15 credits at the 300 and 400 level) | 30 |
| Students may not apply a course to both the major and the minor. | |
| Maximum credits allowed | |
| In any one discipline | 60 |
| Applied studies | 18 |
| At the preparatory level | 6 |
| At junior level in any one discipline | 15 |
| Maximum Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition credits | 39 |
Additional Labour Studies Major requirements
Requirements in addition to the general program requirements for the Bachelor of Arts (4-year) with Major:
- 45 credits in Labour Studies Major courses outlined below including a minimum of 30 senior (300 or 400) level credits (a minimum of 12, 400-level credits).
- 12 credits in required core courses (SOCI 321 and HIST 336 are included in the 30 senior-level credits noted above).
- Students may transfer in a maximum of 30 credits of courses applicable to the requirements of the major.
Recommendations
Required core courses
(12 credits)
| HIST 336 – History of Canadian Labour | (6) |
| LBST 200 – Introduction to Labour Studies | (3) |
| SOCI 321 – Sociology of Work and Industry | (3) |
Electives
(select 33 credits from the following)
*All courses labelled IDRL can be taken as either Applied Studies or Social Science courses, but not both. To use these courses to satisfy the Social Science area of study requirement, students must contact Transfer Credit Services and request the change upon completion of the course.
Transfer credits for union education and prior learning
Athabasca University grants advanced credit in the Labour studies program for some union education programs. A student who has completed a Labour College of Canada Intensive Program, for example, may be eligible to receive nine credits. Students who have completed the Canadian Auto Workers Paid Educational Leave course may be eligible to receive three credits. And students who have completed the Canadian Postal Workers’ Union Education Program may be eligible to receive six credits. Credit is also granted for other union education programs and for other forms of prior learning. Contact Athabasca University for details.
Many unions, and some employers, will reimburse students for the cost of university tuition fees. Discuss this with your union representative or employer.
Second undergraduate degree
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 (4-year) degree and follow these regulations. The English writing skills requirement is waived for students enrolling in the second undergraduate degree.
Helpful links and resources:
Updated June 13, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)