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Policy Studies: Bachelor of Arts Major

Description

The Bachelor of Arts, Major in Policy Studies (“POST”) is an interdisciplinary applied degree that integrates concepts from economics, environmental protection, philosophy, political science and psychology. You will learn how policy can be used to achieve sustainability goals and apply your skills to community projects with partners such as the City of Surrey.

Students are encouraged to complete a complementary minor such as economics, geography or political science in addition to the major in Policy Studies. Please meet with an Arts Degree Advisor to talk about what courses fit your interests to complete your Bachelor’s degree.

Admission Requirements

Students pursuing a major in Policy Studies must be admitted to the Faculty of Arts.

Declaration Requirements

Students intending to graduate with this Faculty of Arts Bachelor’s degree must declare the credential by the time they complete 60 credits of undergraduate coursework. At the time of declaration, the student must satisfy all of the following requirements:

  • In good academic standing with the University
  • Completion of a minimum of 18 credits of undergraduate coursework, including the following with a minimum grade of “C”:
    • 3 credits of ENGL at the 1100 level or higher
    • 6 credits at the 1100 level or higher in the Major area

Curricular 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 core courses and two applied seminars.

Each of the required core courses presents key elements of policy analysis from the perspective of one of the main disciplines. You will develop strong analytical, writing and critical thinking skills while gaining a deep understanding of the complex sustainability issues facing society today.

In the applied seminars, taught by professional practitioners, you will apply your research and analysis skills to develop solutions for real issues faced by a community partner.

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

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 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.

At a Glance

Faculty of Arts

kpu.ca/arts

Policy Studies

kpu.ca/arts/policy-studies

Program Type:

  • Undergraduate

Credential Granted:

  • Baccalaureate Degree

Offered At:

  • KPU Langley  Langley
  • KPU Richmond  Richmond
  • KPU Surrey  Surrey

Start Date(s):

  • Fall Intake (September)  September
  • Spring Intake (January)  January
  • Summer Intake (May)  May

Intake Type:

  • Open Intake  Open intake

Format:

  • Full-time  Full-time
  • Part-time  Part-time

Minimum Credits Required:

  • 120

Instructional Cycle:

  • Semester-based

Curriculum Effective Date:

  • 01-Sep-2011

How to Declare:

Applying to KPU:

Last Updated: 6-Jul-2017

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