Athabasca University

What you'll study

The program combines a common core with major-specific and elective courses. Key structural requirements stated by the program regulations include:

• Total program credits: 120; minimum credits required beyond the college diploma: 60.
• Common core: 12 credits addressing writing, Indigenous cultural competency, professional ethics and research methods.
• Major-specific and elective credits: 48 credits within the 60-credit completion requirement, including a minimum of 18 GOVN (Governance) credits and 36 credits of major courses overall.
• Minimum senior (300/400) level credits: 48; minimum 400-level credits: 18; maximum junior (200) level credits: 12.

Common core courses (examples given in the regulations):

• Writing skills: ENGL 255 Introductory Composition or PHIL 252 Critical Thinking (3 credits). Note: if a student has a course equivalent to one of these, they must take the other.
• Indigenous cultural competency: INST 203 Indigenous Studies I or INST 205 Indigenous Studies II (3 credits). Note: if a student has a course equivalent to one, they must take the other.
• Professional ethics (senior 300/400 level): e.g., CMNS 455 Media Ethics or PHIL 333/334/335/337/371 (3 credits).
• Research methods: e.g., SOSC 366 Research Methods in the Social Sciences or ANTH 390 Community-Based Research Methods (3 credits).

The program regulations also reference specific foundational courses required for conditional enrolment or PLAR pathways: ADMN 232 Introduction to Management and GOVN 301 Governance, Public Sector, and Corporate Power.

Entry requirements

Full enrolment requires 60 credits from an AU-approved institution: graduates of a two- or three-year diploma (60–90 credits), holders of two 30-credit certificates or combinations equating to 60 credits, applicants with at least 60 university-level credits, or applicants with at least 60 AU PLAR credits. Some applicants may combine PLAR with transfer credits to reach the 60-credit entry threshold. Applicants with fewer than 30 credits seeking PLAR for entry must obtain program coordinator approval and, if conditionally enrolled, complete ADMN 232 and GOVN 301. Applicants with 6 or more but fewer than 60 credits are granted pre-enrolment status and may complete remaining credits at AU. All applicants must complete AU’s English Language Assessment (ELA) before enrolment; ELA results determine whether a 100-level writing skills course (ENGL 155, ENGL 177 or PHIL 152) is recommended and may be counted as a Junior Option in the major.

Career prospects

Athabasca University has published program learning outcomes that outline career options available to graduates; the BPA-GLM is intended to prepare students for roles involving governance, management and organizational change in public and professional settings, especially as organizations adapt to e-governance and globalized knowledge economies. The program’s blend of governance, law and management coursework supports pathways into public sector, corporate governance, management and policy-related positions, subject to employer requirements and local labour-market conditions.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program regulations do not specify scholarships. Prospective students should consult Athabasca University’s general funding and advising services for information on scholarships, bursaries, student loans, and Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) opportunities that can reduce course load or accelerate completion.