2014-15 University Calendar
Kwantlen Polytechnic University Calendar  2014-15  Faculty of Arts  Policy Studies: Bachelor of Arts Major and Minor

Policy Studies: Bachelor of Arts Major and Minor

Description

Sustainability has become the leading concept in defining the way we live. All aspects of society are changing to reflect the growing need for sustainability policy. New initiatives that have gained popularity and importance include:

Policy makes these innovations a reality. You can be a part of these changes with a degree in Policy Studies.  

This new degree is both applied and interdisciplinary. You will work with sustainability policy practitioners in developing real policy on current community projects. At the same time, you will learn about policy from the perspective of economics, philosophy, political science, environmental studies and psychology.

Career Opportunities

We expect the graduates from our program to work at all levels of government. Private companies are also actively developing sustainability departments, to say nothing of consultants and NGOs. Opportunities can include careers such as:

Examples of how you can continue your professional development after graduation include a Masters of Public Policy or law.

Program Admission Requirements

In addition to KPU's General university admission requirements, including the undergraduate-level English Proficiency Requirement, the following program admission requirements apply:

Year One Admission:

Year Three Admission:

Qualifying Year

Students who do not qualify upon initial application to KPU may be eligible for entry to the Qualifying Year. Students who possess at least a 'C' in English 12 (or equivalent) and a passing grade in either Pre-Calculus 11, Principles of Math 11, Foundations of Mathematics 11, Applications of Math 12 (or equivalents) will be able to apply for entry to the BA Qualifying Year. Students will be admitted to the BA program in the second year provided they have successfully completed appropriate qualifying courses. Other applicants who do not qualify are encouraged to consult an Educational Advisor for the appropriate qualifying courses that satisfy the application criteria.

Program Continuance Requirements

Current BA students must meet the following requirements to continue into their 3rd year of study. Registration access to third or fourth year courses is first awarded to students who have completed the following:

Program Requirements

Students pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree must complete all requirements in the Bachelor of Arts Framework in addition to their major or minor program requirements.

Policy Studies Major

The degree is designed around several integrative or “umbrella” courses and applied seminars. Each of the required "umbrella" courses will present the elements of policy analysis from the perspective of one of the main disciplines. The applied seminars provide real life situations to which students can apply what they have learned in the umbrella courses. The applied seminars are also designed to foster mentorship of students by professional practitioners who will be responsible for teaching those courses. Students will be given the opportunity to work with local governments and community groups to effect positive change.

The following area requirements are to be completed for the Bachelor of Arts, Major in Policy Studies program. The POST Major requires completion of fifty-five (55) area-specific credits, including thirty-one (31) lower division credits and twenty-four (24) upper division credits.

1100 and 2000 Level

All of the following are required:
  ECON 1150 Principles of Microeconomics 3 credits
  ECON 1250 Principles of Macroeconomics 3 credits
  ENVI 1121 Environmental Issues 3 credits
  Any 6 credits of PHIL at the 1100- or 2000-level 6 credits
  Any 6 credits of POLI at the 1100- or 2000-level 6 credits
  POST 1100 or
PHIL 1111 		Sustainability: Analysis and Ethics 3 credits
  POST 2100 or
POLI 2100 		Sustainability and Government 3 credits
  COOP 1101 Job Search Techniques 1 credit
And one of:
  AGRI 2230 Sustainable Human Economy 3 credits
  ECON 2260 Environmental Economics 3 credits

3000 and 4000 Level

All of:
  POST 3100 or
ECON 3100 		Economics of Sustainability Policy 3 credits
  POST 4110 or
POLI 4110 		Advanced Applied Policy Seminar 3 credits
  POST 4150 or
PSYC 4150 		Psychology and Sustainability: Attitudes and Behaviour 3 credits
  CMNS 3100 Technical Report Writing 3 credits
And one of:
  POST 3110 Applied Policy Seminar I 3 credits
  GEOG 3220 Urban Politics and Planning 3 credits
And one of:
  PHIL 3118 Ethics and Public Policy 3 credits
  PHIL 4117 Topics in Social and Political Philosophy 3 credits
And one of:
  POLI 3500 Public Debates in Politics 3 credits
  POLI 4420 Issues in Public Policy and Administration 3 credits
And one of:
  ENVI 3112 Environment and Society 3 credits
  ENVI 3212 The Urban Environment 3 credits
  AGRI 4298 or
POST 4298 		World Trends in Agriculture (under development) 3 credits

Policy Studies Minor

The following area requirements are to be completed for the Bachelor of Arts, Minor in Policy Studies program. The POST Minor requires completion of twenty-one (21) area-specific credits, including six (6) lower division credits and fifteen (15) upper division credits.

The following is required:
  POST 1100 or
PHIL 1111 		Sustainability: Analysis and Ethics 3 credits
  POST 2100 or
POLI 2100 		Sustainability and Government 3 credits
  POST 4110 or
POLI 4110 		Advanced Applied Policy Seminar 3 credits
  POST 4150 or
PSYC 4150 		Psychology and Sustainability: Attitudes and Behaviour 3 credits
And one of:
  POST 3110 Applied Policy Seminar I 3 credits
  GEOG 3220 Urban Politics and Planning 3 credits
And any two of:
  PHIL 3118 Ethics and Public Policy 3 credits
  POLI 3500 Public Debates in Politics 3 credits
  POST 3100 or ECON 3100 Economics of Sustainability Policy 3 credits
  POST 4298 or AGRI 4298 World Trends in Agriculture (under development) 3 credits

Credential Awarded

Upon successful completion of the major program students are eligible to receive a Bachelor of Arts. Transcripts will indicate a Major in Policy Studies.

Upon successful completion of the minor as part of a Bachelor of Arts program, transcripts will indicate a Minor in Policy Studies.

Last Updated: Jun 4, 2014

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