Academic Calendar 2024/25

Arts

ufv.ca/arts

Bachelor of Arts degree

A UFV Bachelor of Arts (BA) prepares students for engaged democratic citizenship and success in the workplaces of today and tomorrow. Students gain analytical, intellectual, and practical skills through applied learning and a program of study that focuses on critical and creative thinking; written, oral, and visual communication; and quantitative, data, scientific, digital, and technological literacies. Students can select from a wide range of majors, extended minors, and minors that equip them to create a more just and inclusive society. Graduates leave ready for personal and social responsibility, ethical reasoning and action, leadership, and with career portfolios that support their post-university goals. 

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Program learning outcomes

Upon successful completion of the BA, students will be able to:

  • Demonstrate information competency
  • Analyze critically and imaginatively
  • Use knowledge and skills proficiently
  • Initiate inquiries and develop solutions to problems
  • Communicate effectively
  • Pursue self-motivated and self-reflective learning
  • Engage in collaborative leadership
  • Engage in respectful and professional practice
  • Contribute regionally and globally
  • Integrate their learning across all facets of their lives

Entrance requirements

Option 1: Secondary school (for students with secondary school graduation only)

B.C. applicants

  1. B.C. secondary school graduation or equivalent.
  2. A minimum grade of C+ in English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 (see Note) and a minimum of a B average in two additional Approved Grade 12 courses.

    Note: Students may also present English 12, English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, AP English, or IB English A (standard level or higher level), or out-of-province equivalent.

Out-of-province applicants

Students will be considered on the basis of courses equivalent to Approved B.C. Grade 12 courses. See the Admissions section of the calendar for more information on equivalents to B.C. secondary school graduation.

Out-of-country applicants

Students must have B.C. secondary school graduation equivalency, meet the prerequisites for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125, and have completed an equivalent average of B (equated to the UFV grading system) in two academic Grade 12 courses.

Alternatives to secondary school graduation

Students who have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma program, the B.C. Graduation diploma (B.C. Adult Dogwood), or the General Educational Development (GED) certificate may be considered to have the equivalent of B.C. secondary school graduation for admission purposes.

Option 2: University entrance (for students who have attended some post-secondary school)

  1. Prerequisites for ENGL 105 or CMNS 125.
  2. One of the following:
    • Completion of a minimum of 30 credits in courses numbered at the 100 level and above, with a minimum CGPA of 2.00 on all credits attempted.
    • Completion of a minimum of nine credits at the 100 level and above, transferable to a degree program, with a minimum GPA of 3.00 on all credits attempted.
    • Completion of a post-secondary career or technical diploma (minimum of two years post-secondary credit) from a recognized Canadian or International post-secondary institution, with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 (equated to the UFV grading scheme), calculated on all courses taken.
    • Completion of a three- or four-year Bachelor's degree from a recognized Canadian or International institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.00 (equated to the UFV grading scheme). Students who have completed a previous degree are governed by UFV's Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98).

Option 3: Combined post-secondary/secondary school admission

Students who have attended or are currently attending a post-secondary institution, have fewer than 30 credits applicable for BA entrance at the time they apply for admission, and have a minimum GPA of 2.00 on all post-secondary courses attempted, may be considered for admission based on secondary school requirements.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider Qualifying Studies and/or a meeting with an Academic Advisor.

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. To retain their original application date, students should order early so transcripts arrive within two weeks of the date the application is mailed or submitted.
    • For secondary school entrance, a final official transcript (if graduated). For students currently in Grade 12, final grades are due August 3.
  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.
  3. In cases where course work is in progress, an admission decision may be made conditional upon completion of academic requirements. Proof of completion of entrance requirements is due by the end of the first week in August for the September intake.

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. Books and additional supplies cost approximately $100 per course.

Program duration

The Bachelor of Arts degree program can be completed in four years of full-time study, with students taking 10 courses per calendar year.

Program requirements

The BA is divided into four learning areas:

Students design their degree by selecting courses from within these four learning areas to meet the following requirements:

  • 120 credits, of which 60 credits must be completed at UFV.
  • One major or two extended minors/minors (minimum 24 credits each), of which 50% of the upper-level credits must be completed at UFV.
  • 65 credits in Arts subjects.
  • 55 credits in any subject at the university level (100-level and above).
  • At least 45 upper-level credits, of which 30 credits must be completed at UFV.

Core competencies

Students must complete courses in each of the following core competency areas:

Note: A single course can be used to meet only one core competency requirement.

Writing foundation

One of the following courses, completed within the first 30 credits:

Course Title Credits
CMNS 125 Communicating Professionally to Academic and Workplace Audiences 3
ENGL 105 Academic Writing 3
ENGL 091 Provincial-Level English, with an A or better 3
ENGL 099 Pre-University Composition, with an A or better 1.5
or English Studies 12 or English First Peoples 12 with an A or better

Note: Students who have taken CMNS 120 prior to Fall 2021 can use that course to satisfy this requirement.

Written, oral, or visual communication

One of the following courses, completed within the first 60 credits:

Course Title Credits
AH 100 History of Art and Culture in a Global Context 3
AH 101 Art and Culture in the West to 1400 3
AH 102 Art and Culture in the West from 1400 to the Present 3
AH 204 Indigenous Art of the Northwest Coast 3
CMNS 235 Public Speaking 3
CMNS 251 Professional Report Writing 3
ENGL 210 The Art of the Essay 3
GD 101 Fundamentals of Design 3
GD 102 History of Graphic Design 3
SOC 254 Writing for Social Sciences 3
THEA 111 Acting Skills for Work and Life 3
THEA 112 Acting I: Essentials of Acting 3
VA 113 Introduction to Drawing 3
VA 115 Introductory Studio I: Material Practices 3
VA 116 Intro to Studio II: Space, Form, and Time 3
or Any 100-level or higher FREN, GERM, HALQ, JAPN, MAND, PUNJ, RUSS, or SPAN course 2-6

Critical thinking

Required course, completed within the first 30 credits:

Course Title Credits
PHIL 100 Reasoning: An Introduction to Critical Thinking 3

Quantitative literacy

One of the following courses, completed within the first 60 credits:

Course Title Credits
ECON 100 Principles of Microeconomics 3
ECON 101 Principles of Macroeconomics 3
GEOG 252 Explanation in Geography: Quantitative Methods 4
GEOG 253 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems 4
MATH 105 Math for the Elementary School Teacher 4
MATH 110 Pre-Calculus Math 4
MATH 111 Calculus I 4
MATH 123 Everyday Math and Stats 3
MATH 140 Algebra and Functions for Business 3
MATH 141 Calculus for Business 3
PSYC 110 Applied Statistical Analysis in Psychology 3
STAT 104 Introductory Statistics 4
STAT 106 Statistics I 4

Scientific practice

One of the following courses, completed within the first 60 credits:

Course Title Credits
AGRI 123 Horticulture Skills I 3
AGRI 124 Introduction to Horticulture 3
AGRI 129 Horticulture Skills II 3
AGRI 163 Pest Biology and Identification 3
ASTR 101 Solar System and History of Astronomy 3
ASTR 103 Astronomy: The Solar System 4
ASTR 104 Stars, Galaxies, and the Cosmos 4
BIO Any 100-level or higher BIO course 3-8
CHEM Any 100-level or higher CHEM course 3-6
GEOG 103 The Physical Environment 4
GEOG 105 Natural Hazards and Hollywood 3
GEOG 111 Environmental Issues and Strategies 3
GEOG 116 Earth Rocks 4
HSC 111 Human Anatomy and Physiology I 4
IPK 477/ BIO 477 Traditional Ecological Knowledges 4
KIN 163 Introduction to Exercise Physiology 4
KIN 170 Basic Human Anatomy 4
NURS 105 Professional Nursing: Communication II 3
PHYS Any 100-level or higher PHYS course 3-5
PSYC 202 Research Methods in Psychology 4

Civic and intercultural engagement

One course selected from either the civic engagement or intercultural engagement list:

Civic engagement

Course Title Credits
AIS 280 Introduction to Work Integrated Learning (formerly ARTS 280) 3
AIS 380 Practicum/Internship I (formerly ARTS 380) 3
AIS 480 Practicum/Internship II (formerly ARTS 480) (with approval) 3
GDS 100/ GEOG 109 A World of Development 3
GDS 260 Gender and Global Development 3
GDS 310/ GEOG 396/ SOC 396 Canada Internship 6
GEOG 312 Nature, Power, and Place 4
GEOG 412 Environmental Geography Practicum 4
GEOG 460 Practicum in Planning 4
GEOG 464/ GD 464 Community Planning and Development: Local Applied Studio 4
IPK 402 Indigenous Studies Field Work Practicum 3
VA 390 Community Arts Practice 3
or An approved, relevant internship or practicum not listed above

Intercultural engagement

Course Title Credits
AIS 280 Introduction to Work Integrated Learning (formerly ARTS 280) 3
AIS 380 Practicum/Internship I (formerly ARTS 380) 3
AIS 480 Practicum/Internship II (formerly ARTS 480) (with approval) 3
ANTH 111 First Nations of British Columbia – Traditional Cultures 3
CMNS 180 Introduction to Intercultural Communication 3
ENGL 228 Indigenous Literature 3
FILM 211 Film in a Global Age 3
FILM 312 India on Film 3
FILM 313 Indigenous Film 3
FREN 103 French Study Tour 3
GDS 250/ SOC 250 Sociology of Development – The Global South 3
GDS 311/ GEOG 398/ SOC 398 International Internship 6
GEOG 346 Geography of Religion and Peacebuilding 4
GEOG 466/ GD 466 Community Planning and Development: International Studio 5
HIST 103 Stó:lō History 3
HIST 396O The History of Residential Schools 4
IPK 386 Braiding Indigenous Knowledges, Practices, and Worldviews 3
IPK 401 Indigenous Worldviews and Spirituality 3
IPK 402 Indigenous Studies Field Work Practicum 3
JAPN 103 Japanese Study Tour: Language and Culture 3
LAS 200/ SOC 200 Social Issues in Latin America 3
PACS 200 Conflict Analysis and Peacebuilding in the Fraser Valley 3
SOCA 301 Race, Place, and Space: Creative Tools for Navigating Turbulent Times 3
or An approved, relevant internship, practicum, or study abroad not listed above

Professional practices

Two courses:

Course Title Credits
AIS 299 Professional Practices I (formerly ARTS 299) 3
One of: 3-4
AIS 380 Practicum/Internship I (formerly ARTS 380)  
AIS 399 Professional Practices II (formerly PORT 399)  
AIS 480 Practicum/Internship II (formerly ARTS 480) (with approval)  
CMNS 412 Communications Practicum  
HIST 401 Practicum in History  
PSYC 490 Honours Seminar  

Second language competency

All BA students will demonstrate competency in a language other than English, equivalent to B.C. secondary school Grade 11. Students meet competency by one of the following:

  • Successfully completing any Grade 11 secondary school second language course;
  • Successfully completing any language immersion program, such as French Immersion;
  • Graduating from a secondary school in which the language of instruction is not English;
  • Graduating from a post-secondary institution in which the language of instruction is not English;
  • Successfully completing any Modern Language 101 course, such as SPAN 101 or MAND 101, at UFV;
  • Successfully completing a second language course at another institution which transfers to UFV and is equivalent to a Modern Languages 101 course or higher; or
  • Successfully completing Levels 1, 2, and 3 of American Sign Language (ASL).

Students who have gained second language competency through other means may contact Modern Languages to inquire about an assessment.

Note: Students may not use the same course to meet additional requirements such as the second language competency or the personal and social responsibility competencies. Students are welcome to take additional second language courses to meet those requirements.

Subject-specific major/minor requirements

To plan and/or declare a major, extended minors, or minors, students should book an appointment with an Academic Advisor at ufv.ca/advising.

When to declare

  • Between 30 and 60 credits
  • Failure to declare by 60 credits: registration in further courses is blocked

Declaration requirements

  • Minimum CGPA of 2.00 on all credits attempted
  • Minimum grade of C in each of the three required courses for the subject discipline, unless otherwise stated

What to declare (minimum)

  • One major, or
  • Two extended minors/minors of a minimum of 24 credits each

Available declaration options

Discipline Honours Major Extended minor Minor
Adult Education      
Anthropology  


(Sociology/Anthropology major)

Applied Ethical and Political Philosophy
     
Applied Statistics      
Art History    
Biology      
Business      
Communications    
Computer Information Systems    
Creative Writing


(English Honours, Creative Writing)


(English major, Creative Writing concentration)

Criminal Justice    
Economics    
English
Environmental Studies      
French  
Geography
Global Development Studies    
Graphic and Digital Design    
History
Indigenous Studies    
Kinesiology      
Latin American Studies    
Mathematics
Mathematics (Statistics option)      
Media and Communication Studies    
Peace and Conflict Studies    
Philosophy  
Political Science  
Psychology  
Sociology  
Sociology/Anthropology      
Spanish Language and Culture      
Theatre  
Visual Arts    

General electives

To plan and/or explore elective course options please book an appointment with an Academic Advisor at ufv.ca/advising. For complete details on course offerings see the course descriptions section.

Important notes

  • The number of students wanting to enter any Arts Honours, major, extended minor, or minor program may exceed capacity. Departments reserve the right to select competitively if necessary. The basis for selection is applicant GPA on required lower-level prerequisites; students in the BA will have priority. UFV cannot guarantee available seats in required program courses on demand.
  • Arts students completing the requirements for an Arts major or double extended minor/minor from the above list may combine the major or double extended minor/minor with an additional UFV major, extended minor, or minor. This may require students to complete more than 120 credits. Students may not, however, combine the following:
    • A Geography major with a Physical Geography major or minor
    • A Mathematics major, extended minor, or minor with a Mathematics (Statistics option) minor
    • A Mathematics major, extended minor, or minor in Arts with a Mathematics major or minor in Science
    • A Sociology/Anthropology major with extended minors or minors in Sociology or Anthropology
    • An English major, Creative Writing concentration or an English Honours, Creative Writing with a Creative Writing extended minor or minor
    • Two extended minors/minors in creative practice disciplines: Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Theatre, and Visual Arts (students interested in combining study in two such areas are encouraged to explore the Bachelor of Fine Arts)

Co-operative Education option

The Co-operative Education option provides students with the opportunity to acquire paid, career-related work experience in conjunction with their studies in the Bachelor of Arts degree program. See the Co-operative Education section for more details.

Courses at other institutions

UFV students who wish to take course at another institution for credit toward the Bachelor of Arts must obtain permission in advance from an Academic Advisor. A Letter of Permission request is available at ufv.ca/registrar/forms or can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Students must be in good standing (CGPA > 2.00) to receive a Letter of Permission. When approval has been granted, the Office of the Registrar will issue a Letter of Permission to the student. Residency and transfer credit policies apply.

Relevant policies

Course Repeat policy (86): Students may not register for a course more than twice without the permission of the department head/director for the discipline or their designate. All attempts will be recorded on the transcript, but only the highest grade will be included in the GPA. Transfer courses are considered in the number of attempts. A “W” or “AU” course is not counted as a duplication. Multiple repeats of the same course count as a single duplication.

Undergraduate Continuance policy (92): Students must have a CGPA of at least 2.00 to remain in good academic standing. Failure to meet or maintain a 2.00 will result in restrictions on registration and may lead to academic suspension.

Subsequent and Concurrent Bachelor Degree policy (98): Students who have already completed a degree at the bachelor’s level may be granted an additional bachelor’s degree provided that the two degrees are different, and that the student has met the program requirements. Students will complete at least one third of the total credits required for the additional degree, including at least 30 additional upper-level credits, beyond the credits taken in the first or concurrent degree. All 30 upper-level credits must be obtained through completion of UFV courses.

Transfer Credit policy (107) and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) policy (94): Students who successfully complete academic course work at another post-secondary institution can transfer this credit to UFV to satisfy BA degree requirements. They can also earn academic credit through an assessment of prior learning.

Residency

To meet the residency requirement of the BA, the following restrictions apply:

  1. Of the 120 credits for the BA, 60 must be completed at UFV.
  2. Of the 45 upper-level credits for the BA, 30 must be completed at UFV.
  3. For an honours, major, extended minor, or minor program, at least 50% of the required upper-level credits in the specific Arts discipline must be completed at UFV.

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 BA program with a minimum program GPA of 2.00 on all courses applicable to the degree.
  • Completed all the requirements of their majors/extended minors/minors with a minimum program GPA of 2.00.
  • Earned a minimum CGPA of 2.00 in all upper-level courses required for graduation.
  • Earned a minimum CGPA of 2.00, calculated on all 100-level or higher UFV courses attempted.
  • No more than five course duplications (with the exception of THEA 199 and THEA 299 when a grade of D or better is achieved).

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.


Current Students