Athabasca University

What you'll study

The program combines core business disciplines in Years 1–4 with HR major requirements. Core business areas covered include marketing, statistics, financial and management accounting, finance, economics, information systems, strategic management, organizational behaviour, and commercial law.

Selected Year 1–2 required courses (examples from the program):

• ACCT 250 Accounting for Managers or ACCT 253 Introductory Financial Accounting
• ADMN 232 Introduction to Management or ADMN 201 Introduction to Business Studies
• ADMN 233 Writing in Organizations
• COMM 243 Interpersonal Communication or COMM 277 Group Communication
• CMIS 245 Microcomputer Applications in Business (Windows)
• ECON 247 Microeconomics; ECON 248 Macroeconomics
• LGST 369 Commercial Law; MKTG 396 Introduction to Marketing
• MATH 244 Business Mathematics (or alternate calculus/linear algebra options); MGSC 301 Statistics for Business and Economics I
• PHIL 252 Critical Thinking; PHIL 333 Professional Ethics or PHIL 337 Business Ethics

Year 1–2 options include Business and Administrative Studies credits at junior/senior levels, non‑Business junior credits (an English course is recommended), and senior non‑Business credits. A maximum of 3 preparatory (100 level) credits can count in this options total.

Selected Year 3–4 required/core courses (examples from the program):

• ACCT 355 Cost Analysis
• ADMN 417 International Business Management or ECON 401 The Changing Global Economy (both recommended if pursuing the CPHR designation; alternatives should be planned in the Options area)
• CMIS 351 Management Information Systems
• FNCE/ECON 300 Financial Economics or FNCE 370 (course listing truncated in source)

Entry requirements

Students are ineligible for admission if they already hold a degree in administration, business, commerce or management, or a degree with a major/concentration in those fields, or equivalency programs from AU or another university; a second undergraduate degree in the same or a related field is not permitted. Candidates with an international undergraduate degree seeking a Canadian credential, or those seeking a different major from their first degree, may be permitted after consultation with the Program Director and review by the Office of the Registrar.

Degree conversion: Athabasca University students awarded a three‑year AU degree may convert it into the four‑year Bachelor of Commerce under the institution’s degree conversion provision.

Transfer credit restrictions: transfer credit will not be accepted for Business and Administrative Studies senior (300/400) courses completed more than 10 years ago; CMIS courses completed more than 5 years ago; or Statistics courses completed more than 10 years ago, unless current work evidence is provided. Transfer credit for non‑Business options is not subject to these restrictions. Preparatory (100 level) credits cannot be used to fulfill second undergraduate degree requirements.

Second undergraduate degree applicants from non‑business fields may receive up to 60 credits block transfer for the first two years; specific junior/senior passing course requirements apply (for example ACCT 250 or 253, CMIS 245, ADMN 233 or an English/COMM junior course, ECON 247/248, MGSC 301 or equivalents).

Career prospects

The program’s stated learning outcomes describe the career options available to graduates; the curriculum aims to prepare students for roles as HR professionals and to function as respected management professionals who contribute to departmental and organizational objectives. Completion of certain course combinations (for example both ADMN 417 and ECON 401) is noted as relevant for pursuing professional HR designations such as the CPHR.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

The source text does not list scholarships. Prospective students should consult Athabasca University’s central financial aid and scholarships offices and the Faculty of Business for current funding opportunities, bursaries, and eligibility rules.