Global Development Studies

Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies degree

Global Development Studies (GDS) is an interdisciplinary program designed to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and experience required to function effectively as development professionals in Canada or abroad, or to continue on to graduate or to other professional studies.

The program requires a minimum of 120 credits, including a minimum of 45 upper-level (300- or 400-level) credits.

Entrance requirements

The BA in GDS has the same entrance requirements as the Bachelor of Arts degree at UFV. Please see the Bachelor of Arts degree entrance requirements.

When to apply

Applications are accepted for entrance to the Fall, Winter, and Summer semesters. For application deadlines, see Specific intake application process.

How to apply

1. Apply online at ufv.ca/admissions/apply.

   Additional documents required for a complete application:

   • Official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions attended (excluding UFV) showing grade/course achievement as per entrance requirements. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.
2. Applicants will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required prior to registration (see the Fees and Other Costs section) and will be applied toward tuition fees.

Basis for admission decision

Applicants who meet the entrance requirements will be admitted in order of their application date. This date is set when an application, all required documentation, and the application fee have been submitted.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Additional fees for course field trips and internship courses will apply to all students enrolled in Global Development Studies courses.

Program duration

The Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies program is normally completed within four years of full-time study, with students taking 10 courses per calendar year.

Location

The majority of the courses in the program will be offered on the Abbotsford campus. All students are required to complete a practicum with an organization. Practicums can take place locally in Canada, remotely online, or abroad.

Program outline

Lower-level requirements

Note 1: Students who complete INNV 100, INNV 200, INNV 300, INNV 400, and at least 15 credits of appropriate electives will be eligible to receive the Social Innovation certificate. Students can declare this program by contacting the Academic Advising Centre.

Note 2: Students may also satisfy this requirement with an A or better in one of English Studies 12, English First Peoples 12, ENGL 091, or ENGL 099.

Upper-level requirements

Note 1: Students must get permission from GDS Program Chair before selecting and enrolling in one of these courses (AIS 380, COOP 110, GDS 483, or SJGS 300).

Note 2: Students must be admitted to the Co-operative Education program in order to take COOP courses. COOP 110 is the only COOP course that may be used toward program requirements. Students who take COOP 110 to fulfill this requirement may need to take additional upper-level courses to meet the minimum requirement of 45 upper-level credits.

Co-operative Education option

The Co-operative Education option offers students in the Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies the opportunity to obtain paid, career-related work experience in their field of study during their education at UFV. After completing their first year of study, Co-op students alternate between semesters of full-time study and full-time paid employment. See the Co-operative Education section for more details.

Minors in other programs

Students may opt to use their electives to add a minor or extended minor in another discipline.

Program requirements

Program regulations, which include continuance and probation, course repetition, readmission, graduation requirements, and maximum length of time to complete program are the same as the corresponding program regulations for the Bachelor of Arts degree. Please see the Bachelor of Arts degree program requirements.

Undergraduate continuance

Students enrolled in undergraduate courses (courses numbered 100 or higher) must maintain an undergraduate Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of at least 2.00 to remain enrolled in Good Academic Standing at UFV. Students in Good Academic Standing will have no registration limits placed on them. Failure to meet the minimum CGPA requirement will result in restrictions on registration and may eventually lead to academic suspension from undergraduate studies at UFV. Students on Academic Warning or Academic Probation are limited to registering in 10 credits. For further details, see the Academic standing and undergraduate continuance section of the academic calendar. Academic standing is governed by UFV's Undergraduate Continuance policy (92).

Residency

Students must complete at least 25% of the credits required at UFV. Therefore, 30 of the 120 credits in the degree must be completed at UFV. 15 of these credits must be at the upper level. Transfer credits and credits earned through prior learning assessment, including course challenge, do not meet this requirement. Please see UFV's Credentials policy (64).

Graduation requirements

Students are responsible for ensuring they are eligible to graduate, and should regularly consult with an Academic Advisor. To be eligible to graduate, students must have completed the program with a minimum program and cumulative GPA of 2.00.

Students must apply for graduation in the first month of their final semester. Visit the Graduation webpage for more information. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1 of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30.

Course listings

For complete details on courses see the course descriptions section.