Program Options for BACS

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies (90 credits)  

BACS General (90 credits)

See chart under “Academic Program Regulations for BA and BACS Degrees”.

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies Major/Minor (120 credits) 

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) Major/Minor (120 credits)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) Core or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) Core plus COMS4100 (30 credits)
• Of the 48 credits required in the Major subject, there shall be a maximum of 9 credits at the 1000 level and a minimum of 24 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, of which at least 9 credits must be at the 4000 level.
• Of the 120 credits required for a 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree, no more than 45 credits may be at the 1000 level, except with the Dean’s permission.
• Of the 24 credits required in the Minor subject, there shall be a maximum of 9 credits at the 1000 level and a minimum of 6 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level.
• 18 credits electives

If there is a Departmental option to do a 4000-level Directed Study course in the Major subject during the graduating year, students must consult with the Chair as early as possible, and no later than the second week of September. Taking advantage of this option depends on the availability of instructors.

To graduate with a Major, students must achieve an average of at least 65% overall in the final two years of their degree, and an average of at least 65% in the Major discipline.

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies Double Major (120 credits) 

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) Major/Minor (120 credits)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) Core or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) Core plus COMS4100 (30 credits)
• 36 credits are required in each Major subject. In each of the Major subjects there shall be a maximum of 9 credits at the 1000 level and a minimum of 18 credits at the 3000 level or above, including a minimum of 6 credits at the 4000 level.
• Of the 120 credits required for a 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree, no more than 45 credits may be at the 1000 level, except with the Dean’s permission.
• 18 electives

To graduate with a Major, students must achieve an average of at least 65% overall in the final two years of their degree, and an average of at least 65% in the Major discipline.

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies Multidisciplinary Major (120 credits) 

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) Major/Minor (120 credits)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) Core or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) Core plus COMS4100 (30 credits)
• Students interested in a Major focused on a general area must consult with a Department Chair regarding the selection of courses constituting the Area Major. In an Area Major, a student combines courses to form a coherent topic with a specific focus – in effect, a customized program.  The 3 majors in the Area Major can be any discipline that meets the requirements listed above for area majors.
• 72 credits must be taken across three different disciplines, with a maximum of 18 credits at the 1000 level over the three disciplines; a minimum of 24 credits at the 3000 or 4000 level, including 9 credits at the 4000 level, over the three disciplines with a minimum of 6 credits at the 3000 level or above in each of the three disciplines.
• There must be a minimum of 18 credits in each major discipline.
• Of the 120 credits required for a 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree, no more than 45 credits may be at the 1000 level, except with the Dean’s permission.
• 18 credits electives

Once a topic is chosen in consultation with a Department Chair, it must be approved by the Dean of Arts & Social Sciences (who seeks advice from the Chairs of all disciplines involved in the topic area). Approval must be received after the first 60 credits of the degree.

To graduate with a Major, students must achieve an average of at least 65% overall in the final two years of their degree, and an average of at least 65% in the Major discipline.

Bachelor of Arts Community Studies 4-year (Honours)  (120 credits) 

• Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) Major/Minor (120 credits)
• Bachelor of Arts (BA) Core or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) Core plus COMS4100 (30 credits)
• Of the 66 credits required in the Honours subject, 36 credits must be at the 3000 or 4000 level which must include a minimum of 15 credits at the 4000 level. A 6 credit Honours thesis in the subject is required and the thesis can be included in 15 credits at the 4000 level.
• Of the 120 credits required for a 4-year Bachelor of Arts degree, no more than 45 credits may be at the 1000 level, except with the Dean’s permission.
• 24 credits electives

To ensure that students meet Honours graduation requirements, and to ensure that Departments can provide suitable thesis supervisors, students are strongly recommended to register in an Honours program after completing 60 credits (in their Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) degree. This is done by filling out a “change of program” form which must be approved by the Dean.

To register in an Honours program, it is strongly recommended that students have an average of at least 75% over all courses in the Honours subject during their student’s first 60 credits.

To graduate in an Honours program, students must earn an average of 75% over the last 60 credits taken in their Bachelor of Arts (BA) or Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) degree, an average of 75% over all courses in the Honours subject, and 75% on the Honours thesis.

While students must meet the overall program requirements stated above, they should recognize that most Departments have additional requirements in specific subjects that students must also meet.