Faculty of Arts Regulations

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Students should review the regulations of the Faculty of Arts in conjunction with the University Regulations  and Academic Schedule  and Admission and Readmission Deadlines .

Admission

See here for admission and transfer requirements for the Faculty of Arts Admission Requirements  with additional general admission information in Programs of Study  to General Undergraduate Admission Requirements .

General Program Information

Courses that are requirements of one program only are listed under the particular degree or certificate program in Programs .

1. Course Definitions
   1. Units of Course Weight: A unit of course weight indicates the instructional credit assigned to a course. Units of course weight form a part of the degree requirements and are also used in calculating a student’s Grade Point Average (GPA).
   2. Two-term Course: A two-term course is a course with a course weight of 6 units that normally extends over two consecutive University terms.
   3. Term Course: A term course is a course with a course weight of 3 units that normally extends over one University term.
   4. Junior Course: Any courses numbered 100 to 199.
   5. Senior Courses: Any courses numbered 200 to 599.
   6. Normal Course Load: A normal full academic course load is 30 units of course weight during the Fall/Winter.
   7. Courses Extra to the Degree: Courses successfully completed while registered in a program in the Faculty of Arts which are not being used for degree credit are known as courses extra to the degree. Such courses are, however, included in the assessment of academic standing (see Academic Standing and Graduation).
   8. Minimum Passing Grade: The minimum passing grade in University of Alberta undergraduate courses is a D. The minimum final grade for transfer of courses from other postsecondary institutions is C-.
2. Residence Requirement: Students taking a 120 units of course weight program in the Faculty of Arts must have credit in at least 60 units offered by the University of Alberta. Students in a 123 or 126 units of course weight program must have credit in at least 63 units offered by the University. Those in a 129 or 132 units of course weight program must have credit in at least 66 units offered by the University of Alberta. Also refer to Residence Requirements , and the specific program requirements.
3. Options
   1. Arts Options: Any course offered by the Faculty of Arts  and courses from the following areas:
      1. Faculty of Native Studies,
      2. Arts discipline courses from Augustana Faculty and Faculté Saint-Jean
      3. St Joseph’s College (CHRTC)
      4. St. Stephen’s College (SPRIT and CATS); and
      5. approved courses by the Faculty of Agricultural, Life, and Environmental Sciences, including any course from AREC (Agricultural and Resource Economics) and R SOC (Rural Sociology)
   2. Non-Arts Discipline Options: Any course not offered by the Faculty of Arts, or any of the faculties/courses outlined in a. above.
   3. Interdisciplinary (INT D) Courses: The Faculty of Arts offers Interdisciplinary (INT D) Courses in a variety of topics (see Course Listings ). Depending on the specific topic/course offered, these courses could meet specific major/minor or certificate requirements or could be used as Arts Option requirements, unless otherwise specified in the course description. Students can contact the department or faculty for more information on how these courses will fit within their degree requirements.
      Note: Other Faculties also offer INT D courses and those courses would fit under Science Options or Non-Arts Discipline Options depending on which Faculty or department is responsible for the course.
   4. Community Service-Learning courses: A number of courses in departments and programs across the Faculty of Arts offer community engagement as an option or requirement. Students in Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses take part in community-based learning experiences that link to course content.
      Note: The Community Service-Learning program offers its own CSL designated courses (see Course Listings ) and a certificate (see Certificate in Community Engagement and Service-Learning ). For further information see the CSL website.
4. Restricted Enrolment Courses: The Faculty of Arts strives to accommodate all students wishing to enrol in a given course when it is appropriate to their program: however, classes in some courses must, for academic reasons, be restricted in size. If such a course is found to be oversubscribed, priority in registration will be given to those students whose programs may require it (e.g., majors and/or minors) and then to other students as space permits.
5. Junior Courses: No more than 48 units of course weight may be taken at the junior level except for the BMus program for which the maximum permitted junior level courses are outlined in Bachelor of Music .
6. Junior English Requirement: Normally, no more than 6 units of course weight in junior English may be offered for credit in an undergraduate program.

Registration Information

Students register in all programs in the Faculty of Arts using Bear Tracks. Please note the following:

1. Check deadlines carefully as they are strictly enforced. See Academic Schedule  and Registration .
2. Student Responsibility: Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with program requirements and limitations as specified in the Calendar and for ensuring their programs are properly planned in accordance with degree specifications. Please read the Calendar carefully before registering in courses, and if you are in doubt about any regulations pertaining to your program, consult the Undergraduate Student Services Office (1-17 Humanities, 780-492-4295, e-mail: arts.undergrad@ualberta.ca) for clarification.
3. Course Load Requirement:
   • Normal Course Load: A normal full academic course load is 30 units of course weight during the Fall/Winter.
   • Full-time students are those who are registered for credit in 9 units of course weight or more in one term.
   • Part-time students are those who are registered for credit in fewer than 9 units of course weight in one term.
   • Students may take up to 6 units of course weight per term in Spring/Summer.
     
     Some programs offered through the Faculty may have specific course load requirements for continuation in their programs. Students should consult their specific program information for specific information on minimum course load requirements
4. Failure to “drop” a course: Students who do not formally withdraw from a course but who are absent from the final examination without excuse [see Academic Regulations ] will be given a mark of zero (0) on the final examination. The final grade in the course will then be determined by combining the appropriately weighted term grade and the assigned zero in the final examination, the mathematical result rounded to the lowest whole number. Students who register in a course but do not attend, do not submit term work or write term exams, and do not formally withdraw will receive a grade of F1.

Advanced Placement

Students who do not hold credit in prerequisite courses, but who feel they have sufficient knowledge, may be permitted registration in a senior-level course on successful completion of a placement test. For further particulars, contact the department offering the senior-level course. These tests are normally conducted for language courses. Also refer to Advanced Placement , Prerequisite Course Requirements  and Limits.

Credit by Special Assessment

Note: See also Credit by Special Assessment .

Credit by Special Assessment permits students to receive degree credit in specified courses without actually registering in and taking courses if the student can demonstrate an acceptable level of mastery of the course content.

Students admitted to a degree program in the Faculty of Arts may receive degree credit in a limited number of courses for knowledge or skill obtained in a non-university context or by private study. “Non-university context” may include work completed at institutions not accredited for degree purposes or may refer to periods of work experience that bear relationship to university courses. The following conditions apply:

1. Basis of Application
   1. Students may apply for Credit by Special Assessment on the basis of knowledge gained in a “non-university context” following admission to a degree program.
   2. Students may apply for Credit by Special Assessment on the basis of knowledge gained in “private study” following the successful completion of a minimum of 24 units of course weight in their degree program.
2. Limits
   1. Departments are not required to offer Credit by Special Assessment in all courses. Courses which have a significant practical component, such as laboratory or studio work, or courses requiring substantial writing may not be eligible for Credit by Special Assessment. The course level, and in some cases the specific course, to be challenged will be determined by the Department.
   2. A maximum of 12 units of course weight may be obtained through Credit by Special Assessment, of which no more than 6 units may be in Language-other-than-English courses. In the case of Language-other-than-English courses, only those numbered 150 or higher are open to Credit by Special Assessment. Where Language-other-than-English courses at the 300- or 400-level (or higher) have already been completed, a student may not subsequently attempt by Special Assessment any courses at a lower (e.g., 200- or 300-) level.
   3. Students may attempt Credit by Special Assessment only once in each course.
   4. The number of attempts to obtain Credit by Special Assessment is restricted to a maximum of 12 units of course weight. Note: This limits the number of courses that may be challenged, regardless of results. Cancelled applications are considered an attempt to obtain credit and will be included in this maximum.
   5. Students seeking credit in a prerequisite to a course in which they intend to register must complete the Credit by Special Assessment examination before the start of classes in the advanced course. Similarly, in cases where “advance placement” in a prerequisite course has been given, students may also seek Credit by Special Assessment in the prerequisite course, but must also complete the special assessment examination before the start of classes in the advanced course.
   6. Graduate courses and Honors courses (i.e., those open only to Honors students and specified as such in the Calendar) cannot be attempted by Special Assessment.
   7. Courses which have previously been audited, or in which the student has withdrawn, may not subsequently be attempted by Special Assessment.
3. Deadline for Completion: The deadline for completion of the examination and assessment is one month from the date of approval of the application for Credit by Special Assessment. Students who fail to complete assessment requirements by the specified deadline will be considered to have cancelled their application.
4. Grading
   1. In a course attempted by special assessment, the results will be recorded, either as a letter grade or pass/fail according to the practice in the regular course.
   2. All grades obtained in attempts by special assessment, including failures, will be recorded on the transcript of the students concerned and will be computed into the student academic record (i.e., academic standing, promotion, and graduation requirements).
   3. Students may not appeal the results in a course attempted by special assessment.
5. Transfer of Credit by Special Assessment: Students who have obtained credits by special assessment (or similar means) while enrolled in another accredited university, college, Faculty, or school, will be given advance credit in such courses if the course is applicable within the requirements and limitations of the Arts program specified above.
6. Fee: A fee is required for each course in which credit by special assessment is sought, and must be paid before the department concerned undertakes the special assessment. Refer to Tuition and Fees  for fee information. Note: Amount of this fee is subject to change.

Examination Information

Missed Examinations
See Absence from Term Work  and Absence from Final Exams .

Reexamination
Students registered in the Faculty of Arts who apply for a reexamination must, in addition to meeting the requirements set out in Reexaminations , also meet the following conditions:

Excluding the final exam, have completed at least two-thirds of the required term work; and,

Have earned a grade of C (2.0) or higher for the term work, excluding the final exam, and including raw scores of zero for any term assignments or exams not completed using the instructor’s original grading scheme.

Note: A Faculty of Arts student who does not meet graduation requirements because of a failed course in the final term of study may be granted a reexamination in that course provided the maximum number of reexaminations (12 units of course weight) has not been previously taken. Such courses must qualify for reexamination, according to the criteria listed above, and in Reexaminations , except that the student may be considered if the GPA is below 2.0. Students who meet the criteria for a reexamination apply to the teaching department.

The Department will advise the Faculty whether or not the criteria outlined above have been met. The Undergraduate Student Services Office will consider the student’s record as a whole and determine whether or not the application will be approved.

Academic Standing and Promotion

1. Academic Standing for all students registered in the Faculty of Arts is assessed on the basis of a Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated on courses taken in Fall/Winter terms.
   1. Initial assessment and subsequent reassessment of academic standing is based on students’ performance in a minimum of 9 units of course weight in Fall/Winter Terms.
   2. Students who take courses only in Fall or only in Winter Terms are subject to assessment.
   3. Courses taken in Spring/Summer Terms are excluded from the assessment.
   4. If a student attempts fewer than 9 units of course weight the review is deferred and the academic standing assigned at the last review remains in effect until the next Fall/Winter review.
   5. Academic standing is assessed at the end of each student’s program even if less than 9 units of course weight have been taken since the last review.
      The GPA is printed on the University of Alberta transcript and final grades are available on the Bear Tracks record that students are responsible for reviewing them at the end of each term.
2. Assessment of Academic standing
   1. First-Class Standing: (GPA 3.5 and above): Students who earn a GPA of at least 3.5 either while enrolled in a full, normal academic load (minimum 24 units of course weight) during the Fall/Winter Terms or on a minimum of 12 units of course weight in Fall Term (if not enrolled in Winter Term) or in Winter Term (if not enrolled in Fall) are awarded First-Class Standing. This is also referred to as the Dean’s Honors List.
   2. Satisfactory Standing (GPA 2.0 and above): Students who maintain a satisfactory standing are permitted to continue their studies in the Faculty of Arts.
      Note: Students in the BA Program with a major in Economics are required to maintain a 2.3 GPA each Fall/Winter. Students with an Economics major who earn a GPA in the satisfactory range but less than 2.3 are permitted to continue in the BA program, but are required to select a different major.
      Students who wish to return to the Economics Major must present a GPA of 2.3 on a minimum of 9 units of course weight in a subsequent Fall/Winter.
   3. Marginal Standing (GPA 1.7 to 1.9 inclusive): Students receiving the first assessment of marginal standing are permitted to continue, under academic warning. Only one period of attendance on Academic Warning will be permitted while registered in the Faculty of Arts. Any subsequent assessment of Marginal Standing will result in a requirement to withdraw.
      Note: Students under academic warning are only permitted to interrupt their programs with the prior, written permission from an Associate Dean (Undergraduate). If students on academic warning interrupt their programs for more than 12 months without prior approval, readmission will normally not be granted unless the student meets the current readmission criteria.
   4. Unsatisfactory Standing (GPA 1.6 and below): Students receiving an unsatisfactory standing are required to withdraw from the Faculty of Arts. See Appeals for information on academic appeal regulations.
      Students who are required to withdraw from the Faculty at the end of Fall/Winter cannot register for subsequent terms. Registrations for students who register for Summer Term prior to the requirement to withdraw will be cancelled without penalty. Students who have already registered in Spring Term prior to receiving notification of the requirement to withdraw will be permitted to continue until the end of Spring Term, or may choose to withdraw from Spring courses.
3. Fresh Start Program: Students who have attempted fewer than 60 units of course weight and who have earned a GPA between 1.3 and 1.6 may be eligible for admission to the Fresh Start program. Students must be recommended by the Faculty for participation in the Fresh Start program. Further information can be found in First- and Second-Year Students with GPAs of 1.3 to 1.6-Admission to Fresh Start Program , Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Required to Withdraw  and Fresh Start Program .
4. Readmission after a Requirement to Withdraw: Refer to Postsecondary Applicants  for information on the regulations pertaining to readmission to the Faculty of Arts after a requirement to withdraw.
5. Probation: Students who have been required to withdraw and who have successfully appealed that decision will be placed on Probation (See also Academic Warning, Academic Probation, Required to Withdraw ).
   1. Probationary students complete a minimum of 24 units of course weight with a GPA of 2.0 or higher.
   2. Probationary students may not take any more than 12 units of course weight in each of Fall and Winter Terms.
   3. Probationary students may take more than one set of Fall/Winter Terms to complete probation, but courses taken in Spring and Summer are excluded from the assessment.  The probationary GPA for students who take longer than one Fall/Winter to complete probationary requirements and who take more than 24 units of course weight during the period of probation may be based on more than 24 units of course weight. Grades for all courses completed in Fall/Winter Terms during the probationary period are used.
   4. Probationary students may also be subject to other requirements as specified by the Associate Dean (Student Programs)

Probationary students who fail to attain the GPA and other requirements for probation as specified by the Associate Dean will fail Probation and will be required to withdraw from the Faculty of Arts without appeal. Only one period of Probation is allowed while registered in the Faculty of Arts. Students who have cleared Probation and whose GPA at the end of a subsequent Fall/Winter falls below 2.0 will not be permitted to continue on Academic Warning, nor will they be allowed a second period of Probation. Such students are required to withdraw from the Faculty of Arts.

6. Extension to the Graduating Year: Students who have successfully completed at least 120 units of course weight but who do not meet program requirements for graduation, and who are otherwise eligible to continue in their program of study, may continue to register until graduation requirements are met. Students who have successfully completed at least 120 units of course weight but who have Unsatisfactory standing (i.e., Required to Withdraw) for the first time, may appeal to be allowed to complete additional classes in order to meet graduation requirements. Probationary requirements will be set by the Associate Dean.

Graduation Requirements

Application to Convocate: Students wishing to receive a Faculty of Arts degree at an upcoming convocation must apply for graduation on Bear Tracks in accordance with the deadlines specified in Academic Schedule . Also see Graduation .

NOTE: Students are encouraged to apply for convocation in their second-last term in order to ensure course registration in their final term is appropriate for program completion. For example, Students planning to convocate in June are encouraged to apply by October 30th.

Degree Requirements: These requirements vary from program to program within the Faculty of Arts and are presented with the details of the relevant program.  See Programs in the Faculty of Arts .

Degrees with Distinction and First-Class Honors: For regulations concerning the awarding of Degrees With Distinction, see the requirements for specific programs in Program and Course Information . For regulations concerning the awarding of First-Class Honors to students graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree with Honors, see Bachelor of Arts Honors .

Appeals

Information on grade appeal and academic appeal procedures and regulations are available on the Faculty of Arts website or in person from the Undergraduate Student Services Office, Faculty of Arts (1-17 Humanities).

1. An appeals regarding a student’s standing in a particular course must first be directed to the instructor concerned. Frequently, the issue can be resolved at this level. If not, the appeal must then be directed to the Chair of the Department offering the course. Final recourse is available to the Faculty of Arts Academic and Grade Appeals Committee. If a final grade is in dispute, in whole or in part because of the grade for the final examination, the student must apply for a formal reappraisal of the exam. The deadlines to initiate a grade appeal with the instructor are February 1 for Fall courses, June 25 for Winter or two-term Fall/Winter courses, and within 30 calendar days after the publication (i.e., posting) of results in the Department for Spring/Summer courses. Note: that these same deadlines apply for initiating a reappraisal of a final exam. In the event the issue is not resolved with the instructor or Chair, a formal Grade Appeal may be initiated with the Faculty provided the written appeal is received by the Associate Dean (Student Programs) no later than March 1 for a Fall course, July 25 for Winter or two-term Fall/Winter courses, and within 60 calendar days after the publication (i.e., posting) of results in the Department for Spring/Summer courses.
   If the above deadlines are not observed, no further recourse is available.
2. Students who wish to appeal a ruling affecting their academic standing or graduation eligibility should direct their appeal to the Associate Dean (Student Programs).

Study Abroad

The Faculty of Arts encourages all students to consider a period of study abroad within their program. In order to be approved to study abroad students are required to have:

1. completed at least 15 units of course weight at the University of Alberta,
2. be in satisfactory standing in their programs, and
3. present the required GPA for the program

There are extensive Study Abroad program offerings through the University of Alberta. Students wishing to participate in a study abroad or exchange program must ensure that they speak with an Advisor in the Undergraduate Programs Office and obtain permission to participate in the program. Credit may not be granted where prior permission has not been obtained.

Where possible, credit for courses successfully completed in Study Abroad programs will be granted; however, credit will be dependent on how the courses fit within a student’s specific degree requirements. Thus a period of study abroad may extend the time required to complete a degree. Credit will be considered on a credit-no credit (CRNC) basis only. Grades achieved in such courses will not be included in promotion or graduation average calculations, but may be included when assessing admission and transfer to other programs.

Approval to participate in a Study Abroad program may be granted for requests where a student has already received the maximum allowable transfer credit; however, additional transfer credit will not be granted, so students in this situation would need to understand that they will be taking courses extra to their degree and extending their overall time to complete their degree.

Visiting Student Status

Permission to attend another institution as a Visiting Student may be granted to students on a case-by-case basis. Students interested taking courses at another institution should contact the Undergraduate Student Services Office, 1-17 Humanities Centre, to apply for a Letter of Permission. In order to be eligible for a Letter of Permission students must:

1. have successfully completed a minimum of 24 units of course weight at the University of Alberta,
2. not exceed the maximum course load per term for their program, and
3. be in satisfactory academic standing at the time of application,

Approval will not be granted for requests where the student has already received the maximum allowable transfer courses (60 units of course weight).

In order to receive transfer credit, students are required to provide an official transcript from the institution that they attended and must have received a grade of C- or higher (or equivalent).

The Faculty is not obligated to grant transfer credit unless a Letter of Permission was obtained in advance of studying elsewhere.

If the desired courses are part of a University of Alberta approved program or exchange, students must apply and follow the requirements and procedures of those programs.

Certificate Programs

The Faculty of Arts offers a number of certificates to graduating students which acknowledge formally that students have studied particular themes, within one discipline, or across disciplines. Normally the requirements for the certificates can be completed as part of the requirements for the degree; however, in some cases, a student may need to take more than the minimum required for their degree program in order to qualify for both the degree and the certificate. 

Students are encouraged to declare their intentions to pursue certificates as early as possible. Students can do this through the Faculty of Arts Website where they can also find additional Academic Advising supports.

To be awarded certificates, students must have previously declared it through the Faculty of Arts website. Faculty of Arts students then apply for the certificate(s) though Bear Tracks when they apply to graduate (see Academic Schedule ). Students in a faculty other than the Faculty of Arts must contact their home faculty office to inform them of certificate completion. Certificates are granted at the time of convocation only.  For a list of certificates, see Faculty of Arts .

After Degree Programs

BA After Another Undergraduate Degree (other than Bachelor of Arts)

Applicants having a first undergraduate degree other than a Bachelor of Arts may be admitted to the BA After Degree programs. All requirements for the degree must be met (see Bachelor of Arts ). The total number of required units of course weight in the After Degree program will vary depending on the degree held and the BA program sought; however, a minimum of 60 units of course weight will always be required. In some cases, more than 60 units of course weight may be required depending on the number and applicability of courses completed as part of the first degree.

Notes

1. Any deficiency in a matriculation requirement or a prerequisite to a program requirement must be cleared before admission to the degree program.
2. Any major or minor selected for the After Degree program may be in disciplines already included in the first degree if they are approved major or minor subjects [see BA Major Requirements  or BA Minor Requirements ] and if no more than 30 units of course weight at the senior level have already been completed in the discipline(s) in question. Where 30 units of course weight or less in the discipline have been completed, those disciplines may be designated as a major, minor, or double major, and it is expected that additional courses will be taken in those subjects to the maximum allowed as part of the After Degree program. Where more than 30 units of course weight have already been completed in a discipline, that subject may not be selected as a major, minor or part of a double major for the BA after a previous degree [see point (3) below].
3. A minor from a previous degree may be declared as a major in a BA After Degree program if it is an approved discipline and fewer than 30 units of course weight have been completed; however, the major(s) declared must be different than the major(s) completed in the previous degree.
4. Students who wish to pursue additional studies in a discipline which cannot be selected as a major or minor may apply for admission as a Special Student (see Special Students ) or to a BA Honors After Degree Program (see Academic Performance for Graduation) if the academic admission requirements for those programs are met. Alternatively, these areas may be pursued as options in a BA After Degree program to the extent possible within the requirements of the program.

Residence Requirements

1. A minimum of 63 units of course weight must be in courses offered by the Faculty of Arts, including courses in Arts disciplines taken as part of the first degree, as well as those completed as part of the After Degree program.
2. A minimum of 60 units of course weight must be completed at the University of Alberta.
3. At least 30 units of course weight credited to the After Degree program must be completed while registered as a student in the Faculty of Arts.

Academic Performance for Graduation

Students must achieve a minimum University of Alberta grade of D (or equivalent) in all courses credited to the After Degree program; present a graduation average of at least 2.0; present an average of at least 2.0 on all courses applied to the major; and present “Satisfactory” academic standing. For a BA major in Economics students must present a graduation average of at least 2.3 and an average of at least 2.3 on all courses applied to the major. The graduation average is the quotient of (a) the total number of grade points earned in courses credited to the After Degree program and (b) the total weight of those courses. Academic Standing regulations are described in Academic Standing and Promotion. In the case of students who attempted, as part of the program, courses at an institution for which the grades are not precisely the equivalent to those of the University of Alberta, the degree will be awarded at the discretion of the Faculty. Courses with final grades less than C- are not transferred from other postsecondary institutions.

Graduation “With Distinction”: Degrees With Distinction are awarded in an After Degree program to students who achieve a grade point average of 3.5 or better on the last 60 units of course weight of their programs completed at the University of Alberta, including failed courses but excluding any courses not credited to the degree.

BA After Another Bachelor of Arts

Applicants having a first Bachelor of Arts (from this or any other University) may be admitted to a BA After Degree program. All requirements for the BA degree must be met (see Bachelor of Arts ). The total number of required units of course weight in the After Degree program will vary depending on the BA held and the BA program sought; however, a minimum of 60 units of course weight will always be required. More than 60 units of course weight may be required depending on the number and applicability of courses completed as part of the first degree. See BA After Another Undergraduate Degree (other than Bachelor of Arts) for regulations pertaining to Residence Requirements, Academic Performance for Graduation, Graduation “With Distinction” and Notes (1) - (5) which are also applicable to this degree.

BA (Honors) After Another Undergraduate Degree

General Information

The total number of required units of course weight in the After Degree program will vary depending on the degree held and the Honors program sought; however, a minimum of 60 units of course weight will always be required. In some cases, more than 60 units of course weight may be required depending on the number and applicability of courses completed as part of the first degree.

No more than 48 units of course weight at the junior level may be recognized and/or credited toward the requirements of the Honors After Degree program. In all cases, minimum admission and promotion requirements must be met [see Faculty of Arts Admission Requirements  and Bachelor of Arts Honors ] and departmental recommendation and Faculty approval for admission must be secured. All common program requirements and all specified departmental requirements must be fulfilled, either through courses recognized from the first degree, or through courses taken as part of the After Degree program. For detailed information, applicants should contact the Departmental Honors Advisor concerned and the Faculty of Arts Undergraduate Student Services Office.

Graduation

To qualify for a BA (Honors) After Degree, students must meet the promotion and graduation requirements specified for each Department (BA Major Requirements ). The graduation average will be calculated on all courses credited to the After Degree program, as well as those courses recognized from the first degree which fulfil program requirements. An Honors After Degree may be awarded with “First-Class Honors” if an average of at least 3.7 is achieved on all courses beyond the junior level in the subject of concentration (including those completed as part of the first degree as well as those credited to the After Degree program), and if an overall average of at least 3.5 is achieved on all courses credited to the After Degree program.

Notes

1. Any deficiency in a matriculation requirement or a prerequisite to a program requirement must be cleared before admission to the Honors program.
2. The major subject of concentration may be the same as in the first degree if it is an Arts subject. Where a department has indicated a maximum total units of course weight permitted in the major, courses in that subject taken as part of the first degree will be included. However, depending on the remaining program requirements, not all courses in the major subject will necessarily be recognized from the previous program if doing so will exceed the maximum.

BFA, BDesign, or BMus After Another Undergraduate Degree

Applicants having a first undergraduate degree may be admitted to the BFA, BDesign, or BMus After Degree programs. All requirements for the degree, as detailed in Bachelor of Design , Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design , Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama , and Bachelor of Music , must be met. The total number of units of course weight in the After Degree program will vary depending on the previous degree held and the After Degree sought. The total required in a BFA (Art and Design) or BDesign After Degree program will normally be 90 units of course weight, but in no case will less than 60 units be required. The required number of units of course weight in a BFA (Drama-Acting) program will normally be 97 units of course weight, but in no case will less than 85 units be required. The required number of units of course weight in a BFA (Drama-Design) program will normally be 123 units of course weight, but in no case will less than 117 units be required. The required number of units of course weight in a BFA (Drama-Technical Theatre - Stage Management or a Technical Production) program will normally be 120 units of course weight, but in no case will less than 60 units be required. The required number of units of course weight in a BMus After Degree program will normally consist of either 90 units of course weight in the World Music route, or 93 units in all other routes, but in no case will less than 66 units be required.

Notes

1. Any deficiency in a matriculation requirement or a prerequisite to a program requirement must be cleared before admission to the program.
2. Courses outside the Faculties of Arts or Science are not normally permitted in a BFA, BDesign, or BMus after a previous degree, with the exception of specified degree requirements.
3. Promotion Requirements: In an After Degree program, students are required to meet the same promotion standards as specified for the respective program in Bachelor of Design , Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design , Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama , and Bachelor of Music .
4. Graduation Requirements
   1. BFA (Art and Design) After Degree: To qualify for the BFA (Art and Design) After Degree, students must successfully complete the required units of course weight specified for the program; meet all promotion, continuation, final year, and residence requirements described in Bachelor of Fine Arts in Art and Design ; and receive Departmental recommendation.
   2. BDesign After Degree: To qualify for the BDesign After Degree, students must successfully complete the required units of course weight specified for the program; meet all promotion, continuation, final year, and residence requirements described in Bachelor of Design ; and receive Departmental recommendation.
   3. BFA (Drama) After Degree: In the After Degree program, students must meet the same graduation requirements as specified for the respective program in Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama .
   4. BMus After Degree: To qualify for the BMus After Degree, students must successfully complete the curriculum for the chosen Route and meet all promotion, continuation, final year, and residence requirements described in Bachelor of Music ).
5. Degrees With Distinction
   1. BFA (Art and Design) After Degree: Degrees With Distinction are awarded to students who achieve an average of 3.5 or more, on all units of course weight credited to the After Degree program and on all units of course weight in Art and Design credited to the After Degree program. When transfer or other students have attempted, as part of their program, courses at another institution, the Degree “With Distinction” are awarded at the discretion of the Faculty.
   2. BDesign After Degree: Degrees With Distinction are awarded to students who achieve an average of 3.5 or more, on all units of course weight credited to the After Degree program and on all units of course weight in Art and Design credited to the After Degree program. When transfer or other students have attempted, as part of their program, courses at another institution, the Degree “With Distinction” are awarded at the discretion of the Faculty.
   3. BFA (Drama) After Degree: In the After Degree program, students are required to meet the same requirements for graduation “With Distinction” as specified in Bachelor of Fine Arts in Drama .
   4. BMus After Degree: Degrees With Distinction are awarded to students who achieve an average of 3.5 or more, on all units of course weight credited to the After Degree program and on all units of course weight in Music credited to the After Degree program. When transfer or other students have attempted, as part of their program, courses at another institution, the Degree “With Distinction” is awarded at the discretion of the Faculty.

Co-operative Education (Work Experience) Program

The Faculty of Arts offers a flexible range of options for students in Arts undergraduate degree programs to add career-related, paid, full-time work experience to their degree.

Students in Arts Work Experience can complete four, eight, 12 or 16 months of work experience with one or more employers beginning in September, January or May. Any questions should be directed to the Arts Work Experience (AWE) office (artsworkexperience@ualberta.ca or uab.ca/awe). Specific questions related to students’ academic programs will be referred to an Academic Advisor in Arts Undergraduate Student Services.

Arts Co-operative Education Program - The Arts Co-op Program is structured so that students integrate study with periods of paid, skill-building work experience with cooperating employer organizations. To graduate with the designation of “Arts Co-operative Education Program,” students must successfully complete the following requirements:

1. A minimum cumulative total of 12 months of work experience, and not more than 16 months.
2. WKEXP 801 , WKEXP 802 , WKEXP 803 , WKEXP 804  (with a minimum of one work term during the Fall or Winter Terms).
3. Required pre- and post-employment career education. 
4. All degree program requirements.
5. Degree requirements must be completed in a term following the final work term.

Discipline Specific Internships - Students enrolled in the BA Planning, BA Psychology, or BA Environmental Studies may add paid, full-time work experience to their degree programs by successfully completing at least 8-months of work experience. Upon completing 8-months of work experience with one or more employers, Students will receive an “Arts Co-operative Education Program” designation on their degree parchment. To graduate with the designation of “Arts Cooperative Education Program,” students must successfully complete the following Discipline Specific Internship requirements:

1. A minimum cumulative total of 8-months of work experience.
2. Completion of WKEXP 801  and WKEXP 802 , at minimum. WKEXP 803  and WKEXP 804  are optional.
3. Required pre- and post-employment career education.
4. All degree program requirements. Degree requirements must be completed in a term following the final work term.

Individual Work Terms - Students may add paid, full-time, work experience to their degree by taking on a single 4- or 8-month work term and registering in individual WKEXP courses. A student who successfully completes one or more Arts WKEXP course(s), as well as the required pre- and post-employment career education, but does not complete all the requirements of the Co-op program, will have the completion of the courses noted on their transcript, but will receive no designation.

Work Experience (WKEXP) Courses - Once a work term is secured, students are registered in a WKEXP course (WKEXP 801 , WKEXP 802 , WKEXP 803 , or WKEXP 804 ). Participants are considered to be full-time students at the University of Alberta when enrolled in WKEXP courses. Students should not register in academic credit courses for the period(s) during which they are on a work term.

All WKEXP courses require the submission of a final report, providing the student with the opportunity to reflect on their work experience. All work experience courses are graded on a pass/fail basis and are recorded on the student’s transcript with CR/NC notations following the completion of the work term. WKEXP courses do not carry any associated credit weight towards degree requirements. 

To participate in Arts Work Experience, students can apply online. For more information please visit: uab.ca/awe or email artsworkexperience@ualberta.ca.

Eligibility Requirements:

• Be a continuing student in a Faculty of Arts undergraduate degree program.
• Normally have completed between 24 and 105 units of course credit weight at the time of entry.
• Have a minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.3. Admission is competitive and presentation of the minimum GPA may not be sufficient to qualify for participation.

Notes:

• Student participation in all Arts Work Experience options is voluntary. It is not possible to guarantee that all students wishing to participate will be able to do so.
• All suitable job opportunities are posted by AWE staff and are available to students enrolled in AWE. Students who are interested in proposing their own job opportunity must have it approved by Arts Work Experience staff. Students may not find a suitable job opportunity, or might not be successful in the job application process. Every effort will be made to assist students in finding suitable job opportunities; however, students who wish to participate are ultimately responsible for securing employment.
• The Work Experience Coordinator maintains contact with the student and the employer designate to ensure the experience for both parties is progressing satisfactorily. If the work term is not satisfactory for either the student or the employer, the work term may be terminated and the student would then return to classes at the next available opportunity.
• To accommodate Work Experience terms, students normally require between four and five years to complete their full degree requirements.
• Participating students should be aware that adding work experience to their degree may result in potential challenges in enrolling in required courses which may not be available every term.

Under the Protection for Persons in Care Act, all new employees, volunteers and other people engaged for services by designated agencies (hospitals, nursing homes, lodges, group homes, etc.) must complete a Police Information Check (also known as a Criminal Record Check, Security Clearance Check, or Police Clearance), which must include a Vulnerable Sector Check. In addition, certain other agencies, organizations, and educational facilities may require students to present a Police Information Check prior to entering a practicum, work placement term, internship, or field experience placement. Students who have concerns related to their ability to provide a clear Police Information Check should consult with the Associate Dean, Undergraduate. Students will be informed of the need for a Police Information Check prior to specific practicum (field experience) placement. See Requirement for Police Information Checks  for more information on the general requirements concerning Police Information Checks and the fees associated with them.