In addition to the high standards of the University, students of Political Economy @Athabasca University will benefit from the intellectual and practical experiences structured into the program. Students completing the program will acquire or further develop their knowledge base and skills.
- Students will be encouraged to develop both depth and breadth of knowledge in the area of Political Economy, as well as overall critical thinking skills.
- Students will acquire generalist and specialist knowledge of the theories of Political Economy.
- They will be able to critically access challenges that are transforming the public and corporate sector as well as civil society and the local and global levels.
- They will develop a working knowledge of local and global political and economic ideas, practices, policies, processes and institutions.
- They will come to understand the dynamics and needs of a globalized and increasingly knowledge-based society and economy.
- Successful graduates will be able to compete successfully and confidently in world class organizations.
- Graduates will develop effective skills for leadership in government, the private sector or non-profit and voluntary sector.
For more information on job opportunities in Political Economy and related fields, please consult the following.
We live in a world that is shaped by lifelong learning, one that promotes learning organizations and knowledge workers. In such a world students need to be open to diverse learning and adaptable to change both in educational expectations and employment opportunities.
This program will be of interest to students who want an applied liberal arts degree that will give them flexible educational and employment options in the future. The degree prepares Canadian and international students for employment in diverse fields but, more important, it prepares them with the recognition that workers can expect frequent changes in employment over their years of employment.
Thus, the program will be of interest to students from, or interested in going into, a variety of backgrounds, including the following:
- Students seeking a liberal arts degree with applied public policy relevance.
- Public sector and private sector professionals whose careers require retooling with an understanding of the interplay of politics, society and economics on Canadian public policies within the context of the new global political economy.
- Private sector professionals interested in understanding globalization and the implication for Canadian small businesses and corporate sector.
- International students and Canadian private sector professionals interested in pursuing business initiatives in the global marketplace.
- Students seeking employment in the public sector or non-governmental (NGOs) sectors.
- Students seeking employment in foreign affairs, international governmental organizations (IGOs) and international businesses.
- Post-diploma students who want additional professional credentials.
- Students who hold an AU Certificate in Administrative Studies, Labour Studies, Labour Relations, Environmental Studies, Native Studies, Accounting or other areas.
Political Economy students at Athabasca University are encouraged to participate in professional organizations both to enrich their academic knowledge and to hone their professional skills. These organizations and professional associations also provide useful links to job and other professional opportunities.
For students interested in continuing their graduate studies by distance education, Athabasca University offers a number of options. Students interested in continuing their studies in Political Economy might want to check out Athabasca University's innovative Master of Arts—Integrated Studies (MA-IS) program offered through the Centre for Integrated Studies.
A flexible and accessible degree, the MAIS recognizes an emerging need among university students to have the freedom to design their own learning program and to integrate studies across disciplinary boundaries in the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. It explores interdisciplinary approaches to global studies; community development; cultural studies; work, organization and leadership; information studies; Canadian studies; historical studies (all in development); and adult education or educational studies (now open).
Depending on their undergraduate preparation, students may design a wholly independent learning path or pursue areas of specialization. A final project course allows students to examine theoretical and conceptual questions in an integrated manner, and link their learning to the workplace and community.
For more information on the MAIS, please contact the program's administrator.
Program Administrator
Master of Arts—Integrated Studies
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
Email: mais@athabascau.ca
Phone: 1-800-788-9041 ext. 6792 (Canada and U.S.) or 780-675-6792
Fax: 780-675-6186
Program Home Page
Information on other graduate programs at Athabasca University