Athabasca University

What you'll study

The BA (4-year) requires 120 credits in total, with at least 75 senior (300/400) level credits overall, including 18 credits at the 400 level. The Political Economy major specifically requires 60 major credits, of which a minimum of 36 must be senior-level (300/400) and at least 12 must be at the 400 level.

• Required core courses (15 credits): ECON 247 Microeconomics (3); ECON 248 Macroeconomics (3); MATH 215 Introduction to Statistics (3) or MGSC 301 Statistics for Business and Economics I (3); POEC 302 Theories and Approaches to Political Economy (3); POEC/GLST/INTR 230 Globalization and World Politics (3).
• Area of focus (21 credits): Choose one area—Global Political Economy or Canadian Political Economy. Of the 21 credits, students must take at least one course from each of the following subfields: Economics, Political Economy, and Political Science. Courses must be selected from only one area of focus.
• Designated electives (12 credits): Select 12 credits from Political Economy major designated elective courses.
• Cross-disciplinary electives (12 credits): Choose 12 credits from designated elective program courses in Communications (CMNS), Global Studies (GLST), Governance (GOVN), History (HIST), Information Systems (INFS), Labour Studies (LBST), Industrial Relations (IDRL), Women’s and Gender Studies (WGST), and Indigenous Studies (INST).

Additional programme constraints include a maximum of 60 credits allowed in any one discipline, a maximum of 24 credits in applied studies and/or science, a maximum of 6 preparatory-level credits, and a limit of 9 credits for Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition.

Entry requirements

Students follow the program regulations in effect at their enrolment. A major must be declared when entering the BA (4-year) program. Students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early to meet the English writing skills requirement. The English writing requirement may be met by credit in ENGL 255, a grade of B- (70%) or better in an AU English course above the preparatory (100) level, or credit for an English course with B- or better. Students with a prior three-year AU degree may convert to the four-year degree under the degree conversion provision.

Career prospects

The program learning outcomes are intended to indicate possible career options; the degree aims to build analytical and critical thinking skills enabling independent research in the major. Graduates are prepared for a range of roles that require political and economic analysis, and the credential supports further graduate study. The course selection and cross-disciplinary electives also support employment needs related to globalization and public, private or non-profit sector roles.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Students should review Athabasca University scholarship and funding resources available to undergraduates. Residency rules require a minimum of 30 credits obtained through Athabasca University (24 credits to be considered for Graduation with Distinction/Great Distinction), which may affect eligibility for internal awards; consult AU advisors or the financial aid office for specifics.