Bachelor of Arts in Labour Studies

Labour Studies is an interdisciplinary program that assesses the place of labour and working people in society. Courses draw on history, sociology, political economy, women's studies, industrial relations and other fields.

This program will be of particular interest to trade union leaders and members. Course offerings include

• labour history
• work organization
• women and unions
• the theory and practice of trade unions

Athabasca University’s Labour Studies program is the only program of its kind in Canada that is available entirely via distance education.

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: 

• Identify different meanings of ‘labour’ that include paid and unpaid work, recognize skill differences and the effects of race and gender on workers and workers’ movements.
• Explain the economic, social and political conditions under which work is performed and under which workers organize to pursue their collective interests.
• Demonstrate how collective interests, reflecting different social positions, are articulated by workers and employers, respectively.
• Distinguish between opinions and scientific knowledge as qualitatively different ways to articulate collective interests.
• Draw on insights from different social sciences and combine these insights to get a fuller understanding of labour issues.
• Synthesize knowledge drawn from different academic and non-academic sources into comprehensive analyses of labour issues.
• Translate analytical insights on labour issues into strategies for labour.

Possible career options

• Labour/Union Organizer
• Affirmative Action Co-ordinator
• Placement Manager
• Union Staff Representative
• Training Specialist
• Personnel Consultant
• Conciliator
• Employment Counsellor
• Human Resources Administrator
• Union Labour Educator
• Trade Union Officer
• English as a Second Language (ESL) Teacher

• 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.