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Bachelor of Arts degree

Entrance requirements

Option 1: High school (for students with high school graduation only)

1. BC secondary school graduation or equivalent.

2. A minimum of a B average in English 12 and two other Approved Grade 12 courses; or the prerequisite for ENGL 105 and a B average in three Approved Grade 12 courses.

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 who have B.C. secondary school graduation equivalency, meet the prerequisite for ENGL 105 or CMNS 155, and have completed an equivalent average of B (equated to the UFV grading system) in three academic Grade 12 subjects will be admissible.

Alternatives to high school graduation

If you have completed the International Baccalaureate diploma program, the B.C. Graduation diploma (B.C. Adult Dogwood), or the General Educational Development (GED) certificate, you 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.  Prerequisite for ENGL 105 or CMNS 155.

2.  One of the following alternatives:

• Completion of a minimum of 30 credits in courses numbered at the 100 level and above, with a cumulative GPA of 2.33 on all credits attempted.

• Completion of a minimum of nine credits at the 100 level and above, transferable to a degree program, with a GPA of 3.0 or better on all credits attempted.

• A B.C. Associate of Arts degree or UFV diploma in Liberal Arts, Visual Arts, or Theatre, with an average overall grade of C, with a cumulative GPA of 2.0, calculated on all courses that could apply towards the diploma or Associate degree.

• 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 cumulative GPA of 2.5 (equated to the UFV grading scheme), calculated on all courses taken.

Note: Students should be aware that all courses taken in the diploma may not apply to the Bachelor of Arts degree.

• Completion of a three- or four-year Bachelor's degree from a recognized Canadian or International institution, with a minimum GPA of 2.0 (equated to the UFV grading scheme). Students who have completed a previous degree are governed by UFV's Subsequent Degree policy (98). Students may be admitted to, and be permitted to complete, a subsequent degree only if it is in a significantly different area. Subsequent degree applicants must submit a letter of intent, outlining the honours, major, extended minors, or minor program(s) they wish to pursue and the reason(s) for completing the BA degree as a second degree.

Note: Subsequent Degree: All BA general requirements (see BA general requirements) and discipline requirements (see individual disciplines) must be completed as part of the subsequent degree. No more than 75% of the credits required for the subsequent Bachelor of Arts degree may be applied from any previous degree. A minimum of 30 upper-level credits must be completed at UFV.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Arts Studies program path. 

Option 3: Combined post-secondary/high 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 cumulative GPA of at least 2.33 on all post-secondary courses attempted, may be considered for admission based on high school requirements.

Admission for students currently attending a post-secondary institution will be conditional upon maintaining a cumulative GPA of 2.33 or better in their post-secondary studies prior to their start date in the Bachelor of Arts. Students attending a post-secondary institution other than UFV are required to submit an official transcript showing final grades by May 2 for fall semester, and by October 2 for winter semester. To be considered official, transcripts must be sent directly to UFV from the originating institution; see the Transfer Credit section for details.

Students who do not meet these requirements might consider the Arts Studies program path.

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. Submit the application fee along with your UFV application for admission form to the Office of the Registrar (OReg). You can apply online or download an application form at ufv.ca/admissions/admissions/apply. Application forms are also available from any OReg or Student Services office.

Additional documents required for a complete application:
• For university entrance, official transcripts (or interim transcripts) from all post-secondary institutions you have attended (other than 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 your original application date, order early so transcripts arrive within two weeks of the date your application is mailed or submitted.
• For high school entrance, a final official transcript (if you have graduated). For students currently in Grade 12, interim grades required by March 30, with final grades due August 3.

2. You will be advised of an admission decision and, if accepted, will be provided with registration information. A deposit is required when you register (see the Fees and Other Costs section). This money will be applied toward your tuition fees. Final payment of all course fees is due the end of the second week of classes.

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 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.

Declaration of majors, extended minors, minors

Students who have been admitted to the Bachelor of Arts program may formally declare majors, extended minors, or minors only after they have completed at least 30 credits in the program with a minimum of a 2.0 CGPA on all credits attempted, provided that they have also met the declaration requirements of the subject discipline. Students must declare at least one major or two extended minors by the time they have completed 60 university-level credits. Formal declaration is completed by appointment with an Arts Advisor in the Arts Advice Centre.

Students who have completed 60 credits but have not yet declared at least one major or two extended minors will not be permitted to register. Exceptions may be made in special circumstances by an Arts Advisor.

Arts major or double extended minor with a Science major or minor

A student completing the requirements for an Arts major or double extended minor may combine either of those programs with any Science major or minor. There are a few exceptions:

• A major, extended minor, or minor in mathematics in Arts cannot be combined with a mathematics major or minor in Science.
• A Geography major with a concentration in physical geography cannot be combined with Physical Geography major or minor in Science.

When a major or minor outside the Arts faculty is completed, the transcript will specify both the Arts and Science programs.

Graduates wishing to complete a major, minor or extended minor

Students who have completed a bachelor's degree but wish to complete the requirements for a major, minor or extended minor in the UFV Bachelor of Arts may be able to do this through an Extended Studies certificate in Arts. Please contact the appropriate department for more information.

Fees and additional costs

See the Fees and Other Costs section. Books and additional supplies cost approximately $100 per course.

Courses at other institutions

UFV students who wish to take academic work at other institutions for credit toward the degree must obtain permission in advance from an Arts Advisor. A letter of permission request is available at ufv.ca/admissions or can be obtained from the Office of the Registrar. Students must be in good standing (CGPA > 2.0) to receive a letter of permission. When approval has been granted, the Registrar’s office will issue a Letter of Permission to the student.

Except as noted below, total transfer and course challenge credits, including prior learning credit, may not exceed 60, and not more than 15 transfer credits may count toward upper-level requirements. Within these limits, transfer credit may be applied to the BA with courses passed with a grade of P or higher. Transfer credit is not used in the calculation of the cumulative grade point average.

Residency

Students can complete academic course work at another post-secondary institution and transfer this credit to UFV to satisfy BA degree requirements, under the following restrictions:

• Out of the BA overall total of 120 credits, 60 credits must be completed at UFV;

• Out of the BA upper-level total of 45 credits, 30 upper-level credits must be completed at UFV;
• For an Honours or major program, at least 15 upper-level credits in the specific Arts discipline must be completed at UFV (See Note);
• For an extended minor program, at least seven upper-level credits in the specific Arts discipline must be completed at UFV (See Note);
• For a minor program, at least seven upper-level credits in the specific Arts discipline must be completed at UFV (See Note);

Note: When looking at the upper-level residency for an individual Arts program, please remember that a total of 30 upper-level credits must be completed at UFV.

Graduation

It is the student’s responsibility to ensure all program requirements are met. This should be done by regular consultation with an Arts Advisor. Please note that students with more than five course duplications will not be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree. (Repeats of THEA 199 and 299 are exempt from the duplication rule when a grade of P or higher is achieved.)

Degree candidates who qualify to receive a UFV degree must be approved by the Arts Advice Centre and the Senate.

Students must apply for graduation by completing the Graduation Request form available at ufv.ca/admissions, or from the Office of the Registrar. We recommend this be done in the first month of the final semester. The final deadline for students who wish to attend the June Convocation ceremony is April 1st of each year, with all program requirements completed by April 30th of each year.

UFV policy on course repetition

Students may not register in a course more than twice without permission of the appropriate dean or designate. When a course is repeated, the GPA at UFV includes only the higher grade, but all attempts appear on the transcript. Some programs limit the number of courses which can be repeated. Transferred courses are considered in the number of attempts. See UFV's Course Repeat policy (86).

BA policy on course duplication

Duplication refers to taking a course more than once (see Note). No more than five duplications will be permitted on courses which apply to the BA. This limit could be reached through multiple repeats of the same course or through repeats of several different courses. A “W” or an "AU" in a course is not counted as a course duplication.

Students with more than five course duplications will not be eligible to graduate with a Bachelor of Arts degree.

Note: Repeats of THEA 199 and 299 are exempt from the duplication rule when a grade of P or higher is achieved.

Standing required for continuance

All students at UFV are expected to maintain acceptable standards of scholarship. Specifically, they are expected to maintain a minimum 2.0 CGPA.

Academic warning

A student who has a CGPA lower than 2.0 will be placed on academic warning for the next semester. A student on academic warning may not register in a course overload.

Students who do not achieve a semester GPA of at least 2.0 while they are on academic warning will be required to withdraw from the program.

A student on academic warning who achieves a single semester GPA of at least 2.0 will continue on academic warning until the CGPA equals or exceeds 2.0.

Required to withdraw

Students who have been required to withdraw from the BA program may have the opportunity to continue to take courses as an Arts Studies student; however, they may not register for any upper-level courses.

Appeals for readmission

A student who is required to withdraw from the BA program must submit an appeal for readmission to the Office of the Registrar if he/she wishes to resume studies in the degree program.

In general, students who have been required to withdraw will be advised to complete a further nine credits of academic work or to repeat a similar amount of academic work taken previously in order to demonstrate their academic abilities. Appeals must be received at least three months before the start of the semester for which a student has applied. Readmission is not automatic.

Standing on readmission

If readmitted, students will be placed on academic warning again, subject to the conditions for academic warning as described above.

Subsequent degree

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 significantly different and that the student has met the program requirements. No more than 75% of the credits required for the additional degree may be applied from any previous degree. At least 30 upper-level (300-400) credits for the subsequent degree must be taken at UFV.

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.

Bachelor of Arts requirements

There are three sets of requirements to note:

1. Program requirements (below)

2. General requirements

3. Discipline requirements (see individual disciplines)

Program requirements

To receive a Bachelor of Arts degree students must complete the requirements for one major or two extended minors.

Students admitted to the degree should seek advice from an Arts Advisor. A formal declaration of your program choice must be made and approved by an Arts Advisor prior to the completion of 60 credits towards the degree. Students who have completed 60 credits but have not yet declared at least one major or two extended minors will not be permitted to register. Exceptions may be made in special circumstances by an Arts Advisor.

You must complete a minimum of 120 credits of which 65 must be in Arts. At least 30 of these credits must be at the 300/400 level in Arts. For the purpose of meeting the 65 credits in Arts, students may choose courses from the following list of subjects:

• Anthropology, art history, ARTS, communications, criminology/criminal justice (excluding CRIM 201, 202, and 203), critical analysis and study methodology, economics, English, fashion design, film, geography, global development studies, graphic design, history, Indigenous peoples knowledge, Indo-Canadian studies, international studies, journalism, Latin American studies, Mennonite studies, linguistics, mathematics, media and communication studies, modern languages, music, philosophy, political science, psychology, religious studies, sociology, statistics, theatre, visual arts, women's studies, and university studies.

All UFV courses specified for degree programs and Education and TESL are acceptable for the remaining 55 credits of elective. Of these remaining 55 credits, up to 12 credits may be chosen from any UFV course, 100 level or higher, or UFV assigned transfer credit at the 100 level or higher.

A minimum CGPA of 2.0 in the BA program, a minimum CGPA of 2.0 in your major/extended minor(s)/minor(s), and a minimum CGPA of 2.0 in all upper-level credits is required for graduation. Pre-college or preparatory courses will not satisfy program requirements.

Bachelor of Arts students must consider the following in making their course selection:

• Access to seats in some courses may be limited due to course prerequisites and/or seats reserved for students in specific programs or majors.
• Students preparing for graduate studies should seek advice from the UFV department head of their intended discipline to assist in course selection.

Students preparing for graduate studies should seek advice from the UFV department head of their intended discipline to assist in course selection.

Honours

UFV offers honours programs in:

• English
• Geography
• Psychology

Majors

UFV offers majors in:

• Economics
• English
• Geography
• History
• Mathematics
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Sociology/Anthropology

Students choosing a major have the opportunity to concentrate their studies in one subject area, preparing them for related careers or for further study following graduation.

In addition, students may choose to complete a minor or extended minor in conjunction with their major.

Note: A sociology/anthropology major cannot be combined with either a sociology minor or an anthropology minor.

Additional requirements for Arts majors

Of the 120 BA credits:

• 65 must be in Arts subjects
• 45 must be at the 300- or 400-level (upper-level)
• at least 30 credits must be completed at the upper-level in the chosen major — see individual subject areas for specific major requirements.
• the lower-level (100- and 200-level) requirements for at least one Arts major must be satisfied — see discipline requirements.
• the Bachelor of Arts general requirements must be satisfied. See the General Requirements.

Extended minors

An extended minor typically consists of the 100- and 200-level credits required for a major plus the 300- and 400-level credits equivalent to a minor in the same discipline. Students who want to concentrate on two subject areas can earn a Bachelor of Arts degree by completing two extended minors. Any two of the following disciplines (with certain exceptions noted below) can be combined for a double extended minor in the BA:

• Anthropology
• Art History
• Biology (applicable only to BA degree)
• Computer Information Systems
• Criminal Justice
• English
• French
• Geography
• History
• Latin American Studies
• Mathematics
• Mathematics (Statistics option)
• Media and Communication Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

Note 1: Mathematics and Mathematics (Statistics option) cannot be combined for a double extended minor.

Note 2: The following extended minor combinations are not allowed within the BA degree:
Visual Arts and any one of the following: Art History, Media and Communications Studies, or Theatre.
Students interested in these extended minor combinations should consult the BFA educational advisor.

An extended minor consists of the 100- and 200-level credits required for a major as well as the 300- and 400-level credits equivalent to a minor in the same discipline.

Additional requirements for Arts extended minors

Of the 120 BA credits:

• 65 must be in Arts subjects
• 45 must be at the 300- or 400-level (upper level)
• at least 15 credits must be completed at the upper level in each of two extended minor disciplines — see individual subject areas for specific extended minor requirements
• the lower-level (100- and 200-level) requirements for at least two Arts extended minors must be satisfied — see discipline requirements.
• the Bachelor of Arts general requirements must be satisfied. See the general requirements.

Minors

UFV offers minors in:

• Anthropology
• Applied Ethical and Political Philosophy
• Art History
• Business Administration
• Communications
• Computer Information Systems
• Criminal Justice
• Economics
• English
• French
• Geography
• History
• Kinesiology
• Latin American Studies
• Mathematics
• Mathematics/Statistics
• Media and Communication Studies
• Philosophy
• Political Science
• Sociology
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

You may choose to complete a minor in conjunction with your major or double extended minors. At least 15 credits of upper-level credits must be taken within a single discipline unless otherwise specified in this calendar.

Note: There are disciplines within Arts which have minors but do not have majors.

Bachelor of Arts general requirements

Breadth requirement

Students enrolled in a major must complete at least 30 credits in five or more subject areas outside the Arts major. No more than 12 credits from any one subject area can be used to fulfill this breadth requirement.

Students enrolled in two extended minors must complete at least 30 credits in five or more subject areas of which one can be one of their extended minors. No more than 12 credits from any one subject area can be used to fulfill this breadth requirement.

Note: These breadth requirements will be met in part by fulfilling the following requirements:

Writing requirement

Students can meet the writing requirement in one of two ways:

1. Enter the BA program with a grade of A in English 12 (or an equivalent course), a grade of A in ENGL 099, or a grade of A in ENGL 091.
   Note: In assessing a high school grade, the BA program uses the blended final grade. English 12 equivalent courses include English Literature 12, English 12 First Peoples, International Baccalaureate English A (standard level or higher level), Advanced Placement English.
   
   OR
   
2. Complete successfully one of the following courses:
   

• ENGL 105
• CMNS 155
• ARTS 100 (see Note)

Note: ARTS 100 meets both the writing requirement and the reasoning requirement.

Reasoning requirement

PHIL 100 or ARTS 100 (see Note 1), or at least three credits from each of the following lists:

Note 1: ARTS 100 meets both the writing requirement and the reasoning requirement.

Note 2: This requirement may be met by PSYC 210 if previously completed.

Lab Science requirement

Four credits from:

• ASTR 103 or 104
• BIO, 100-level or higher
• CHEM, 100-level or higher
• GEOG 101, 102, or 116
• KPE 163 or 170
• PHYS 100-level or higher
• PSYC 202 (see Note)

Note: This requirement may be met by PSYC 210 or PSYC 220 if previously completed.

Humanities requirement

Six credits from:

• Art History
• Communications
• English 108 or higher
• Film
• French
• Halq’eméylem
• History
• Interdisciplinary courses (see Note)
• Japanese
• Linguistics
• Mandarin
• Mathematics
• Music
• Philosophy 100 or higher
• Punjabi
• Religious Studies
• Russian
• Spanish
• Theatre
• Visual Arts

Note: Interdisciplinary courses are determined by an Arts Advisor.

Social Science requirement

Six credits from:

• Anthropology
• Criminal Justice (see Note 1)
• Economics
• Geography 105, 130 or higher
• Global Development Studies
• Interdisciplinary courses (see Note 2)
• Latin American Studies
• Media and Communication Studies
• Political Science
• Psychology
• Sociology
• Women's Studies

Note 1: Please contact an Arts Advisor for details regarding acceptable criminal justice courses.

Note 2: Interdisciplinary courses are determined by an Arts Advisor.

Special note: Prospective elementary and secondary school teachers must, in following the above guidelines, take into account the B.C. Teacher Regulation Boards and Faculty of Education admission requirements. Consult an educational advisor in Student Services for assistance.

Arts discipline requirements

See under individual disciplines.