Global Development Studies – Bachelor of Arts
Quick Facts
Credential:
Bachelor's degree
Duration:
4 years
Format:
Full time, Part time
Start date:
January, May, September
Location:
Abbotsford campus
Cost:
Tuition and fees
Features:
- Internships with international development organizations are available in Canada and abroad.
- Program eligible for financial aid
Program description
The Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies (GDS) enables students to apply an interdisciplinary and critical lens to analyze and address social, economic, political, and environmental issues, inequalities, and injustices. Global development scholars and practitioners are committed to the decolonization of mindsets, institutions, and practices, equitable partnerships, empowerment, activism, and transformative impacts.
This program provides students with relevant skills, knowledge, and experiential learning experiences that can be applied to wide-ranging careers in global development, social justice, and sustainable development fields. Some issues that you will learn about and engage with include poverty, gender inequality, sustainability, global health, climate change, refugees and forced migration, and humanitarian action.
Career expectations
The Global Development Studies program provides a solid base for specialized post-graduate studies in development studies, law, media and communications, research, conflict and humanitarianism, migration, global health, economics, the environment, and politics.
The program can lead to careers in the well-funded global development sector with governments (e.g. Global Affairs Canada), international and regional organizations (e.g. United Nations, African Union, European Union), international and Canadian NGOs and charities, private foundations, and research institutes and think tanks.
Students in the Global Development Studies program are encouraged to add minors and extended minors to their degrees to further enhance opportunities for post-graduate study and careers.
Entrance requirements
Go to entrance requirements for the Global Development Studies BA program in the UFV Academic Calendar
International student admissions
This program is open for international students.
Upgrading options
Students who do not meet the entrance requirements may complete upgrading to meet prerequisites for university-level courses.
Prospective students should contact the Future Students office to learn more about upgrading options.
Current or returning students should connect with the appropriate advising area based on the level of upgrading required:
-
University-level upgrading (100 level and above): Qualifying Studies Advisor
-
High school equivalent courses (below 100 level): Upgrading Advisor
Learning outcomes
- Explain concepts and theories of global development and how they have been applied to problems of power, inequalities, oppression, and social injustice
- Analyze the origins and interconnectedness of global development issues using diverse interdisciplinary approaches
- Engage in debates, dialogue, and action related to social justice and global development
- Apply self-reflexivity, inter-cultural and ethical understandings, and a critical lens to the practice of development
- Demonstrate competence in analysis, research, communication, and other professional skills required for the global development sector
Questions?
Our Future Students team is here to help you understand your options and get ready to submit an application.
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