Athabasca University

Programme overview

The Bachelor of Professional Arts (Human Services Major) is a completion-style bachelor’s degree requiring 120 credits in total and designed for students who already hold a two- or three-year diploma (60–90 credits) or an equivalent 60-credit block from approved institutions. The program emphasizes social-science perspectives on intercultural, legal, political and social factors that shape human services practice in Canada and complements college diplomas. Enrolment routes include Post-Diploma transfer, University Transfer and Prior Learning Assessment routes.

What you'll study

The program requires a 12-credit common core plus 48 credits of major and elective work within the Human Services major, for 60 credits beyond the collegiate diploma. Notable course elements and constraints pulled from the regulations include:

• Common core (12 credits): one writing skills course (ENGL 255 Introductory Composition or PHIL 252 Critical Thinking), one Indigenous cultural competency course (INST 203 or INST 205), one senior (300/400) level professional ethics course (examples listed such as CMNS 455 or PHIL 333/334/335/337/371), and a research methods course (examples include SOSC 366 or ANTH 390).
• Human Services major required courses include HSRV 201: Social Work and Human Services and HSRV 306: Critical Reflection for Practice (these are prerequisites for certain PLAR and enrolment paths).
• Capstone: HSRV 489: Capstone: A Synthesis of Program Learning Outcomes must be taken at the end of the program; none of the HSRV major required courses may be taken concurrently with HSRV 489.
• Credit-level rules: minimum 48 senior (300/400) level credits required; minimum 18 credits at the 400 level; maximum 12 junior (200) level credits allowed (note: ELA-recommended 100-level writing skill course can count as a junior option).

Entry requirements

Full enrolment requires 60 transferable credits from an Athabasca-approved university, college, institute of technology or organization. Eligible applicants include graduates of two- or three-year diplomas (60–90 credits), holders of two 30-credit certificates or equivalent combinations, people with an unrelated undergraduate degree, or applicants with at least 60 university-level credits. Up to 60 credits of Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) may be considered for program entry in some cases; once enrolled, a maximum of 30 PLAR credits may count toward senior requirements. Applicants with fewer than 30 credits seeking PLAR for entry must obtain approval from the BPA-HSRV coordinator and are conditionally enrolled until they complete HSRV 201 and HSRV 306. Applicants with 6–59 credits are given pre-enrolment status and may complete remaining credits at AU; such students may consider accumulating AU certificates or diplomas that articulate into the BPA.

English language assessment: all applicants must complete AU’s English Language Assessment (ELA) before enrolment. Based on ELA results, students may be advised to take a 100-level writing skills course (ENGL 155, ENGL 177 or PHIL 152); a recommended 100-level course can be used as a Junior Option in the major. Students are strongly encouraged to register in required writing courses early.

Career prospects

The program targets current and aspiring practitioners in the human services sector — roles in community development, counselling support, child care services, health and social services, intercultural relations and related human-service occupations. Graduates will have broadened social-science knowledge, applied research and ethics training, and a capstone synthesis to demonstrate readiness for professional practice, supervisory support roles, or further study in social-work-related fields. Specific job titles and employment rates are not provided in the program regulations.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The program regulations do not list specific scholarships. Prospective students should consult Athabasca University’s financial aid and awards webpages and Advising Services for information on bursaries, scholarships, and how prior learning or transfer credits affect eligibility for institutional funding. Students relying on PLAR or transfer pathways should check funding conditions tied to residency and credit-load rules.