Bachelor of Arts in History

The social changes of our era are part of a longer, more complex process; the study of history puts current issues and events into context. The history program at Athabasca University will help you

• see contemporary events in broader historical contexts
• explain changing social attitudes as the result of specific contexts and events
• recognize the ways knowledge is socially constructed and sanctioned
• interpret historical evidence, assessing for possible bias

AU offers a wide variety of history courses, with strengths in Europe and North America, and a growing number of courses on Global History and the history of Africa.

Why take the Bachelor of Arts?

The Bachelor of Arts strengthens critical and creative thinking through a broad range of social, political and cultural studies. The program is designed to

• broaden your perspective on local and global affairs
• encourage community and social involvement
• prepare you for lifelong learning and occupational diversity

By the end of the program, students will be able to:

• Interpret past and contemporary events in broader historical contexts to explain the complex processes by which societies have evolved.
• Identify patterns of continuities and change over time to reveal structures within which human societies operate.
• Investigate the ways in which knowledge is created, deployed, enforced, and reinforced, as well as how it is resisted.
• Employ and contextualize a wide variety of historical sources to make sense of complex, richly textured, diverse, and sometimes disparate materials, and to identify biases, ambiguities, and uncertainties in primary and secondary historical sources.
• Conduct research that is accurate, critically analytical, comprehensible, and thorough to efficiently and effectively produce historical research.
• Communicate research results cogently, clearly, and logically in written form that correspond to professional standards of doing history.

Possible career options

• Historic Interpreter
• National/Provincial Park Interpreter
• Parks Canada Service Supervisor
• Researcher
• Probation Officer
• Museum Technician/Assistant
• Museum Interpreter
• Volunteer Co-ordinator
• Travel Agent
• Employment Recruiter
• Management Trainee
• Customer Service Agent
• Heritage Assistant
• Preservation/Restoration Assistant
• Immigration Officer
• Foreign Service Officer
• Events Co-ordinator
• Writer
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher
• Lobbyist
• Collections Manager

• Completion of high school in an English-speaking country.
• Completion of 15 university credits from a recognized English-speaking university, or 1 year at a non-university post-secondary institution with an overall average of 75% (GPA of 3.0).

English is the language of instruction and communication in SCIS graduate programs.

Proficiency in English is an essential requirement for admission to SCIS graduate programs. Although working and studying online requires a different level of English language skills than does the classroom situation, students must nevertheless be able to communicate effectively with faculty, administration, and with other students.

For more information on the English Language Prociency Requirements for Graduate Studies please refer to the AU graduate calendar.

• Minimum score of 6 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
• Minimum score of 60% on the Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL).
• Minimum score of 80 on the Michigan English Language Battery (MELAB) test.
• Minimum score of 59 on the Pearson Test of English (PTE).
• Minimum score of 213 on the computer- or paper-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL PBT), with 4.5 on the Test of Written English (TWE).
• Minimum score of 80 with an essay score of 20 on the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT).
• Successful completion of AU’s English Language Proficiency Program with an overall average of 75% (GPA of 3.0).
• See the English Language Proficiency Requirements Policy for further details.

How to apply

You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.

• How to enrol in an undergraduate program

Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.