Athabasca University

What you'll study

The major requires at least 45 Anthropology credits with a balance of junior- and senior-level work and a set of prescribed topic areas.

• Junior-level (200) Anthropology: 9 credits, for example:
  • ANTH 272 – Introduction to Archaeology (3) or ANTH 277 – The Archaeology of Us: First Humans to First Civilizations
  • ANTH 275 – Faces of Culture: An Introduction to Cultural Anthropology (3)
  • ANTH 278 – Human Evolution and Diversity (3)
• History of anthropology: 3 senior-level credits, for example ANTH 434 – The History of Anthropological Thought (3) or ANTH 476 – Archaeological Theory (3)
• Research methods: 6 senior-level credits, examples include ANTH 402 – Ethnographic Research Methods (3), SOSC 366 – Research Methods in the Social Sciences (3), or ANTH 390 – Community Based Research Methods (3)
• Linguistic anthropology: 3 senior-level credits, for example ANTH 354 – Language and Culture (3)
• Electives: select 24 credits from ANTH courses

Students must meet minimum senior-level credit and 400-level credit requirements within the major and program overall. Students may combine a major with a BA minor (30 credits distinct from the major) but no course may count toward both.

Entry requirements

Students complete the regulations in effect at the time of enrolment and must declare a major when entering the BA (4-year). The English writing-skills requirement must be met by holding credit in ENGL 255 (students are strongly encouraged to take this early), by obtaining a grade of B- (70%) or better in an AU English course above the preparatory (100) level, or by having credit for an English course with a grade of B- or better. The English writing requirement is waived for students enrolling in a second undergraduate degree. Students may transfer from the BA (3-year) to the BA (4-year) by submitting a new Undergraduate General Application Form; prior education will be reassessed. Degree conversion from an AU three-year degree to the four-year BA is also available under the relevant policy.

Career prospects

The program learning outcomes indicate a range of career options may be available to graduates; the BA (4-year) specifically readies students for occupational diversity and provides preparation for most graduate programs. Graduates leave with analytical, critical-thinking and independent research skills applicable to research, cultural resource management, community-based work, education, public service and other roles where social and cultural analysis is required.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

While specific scholarships are not listed on the program page, typical funding routes for BA students include university scholarships and awards, government student aid, and external fellowships or bursaries. Students should consult Athabasca University’s financial aid and awards office for up-to-date scholarship and funding options and eligibility requirements.