No matter what career path you choose in life, it always gives you a leading edge to have a solid education on your resume. With today’s job market becoming ever more competitive, employers are looking for viable candidates who show dedication and determination, especially to their academic background. Getting started on your associate or bachelor’s degree today, sets you up for future career—and life—success.
If you are not quite sure what you want to major in yet, but know you want to get your bachelor’s degree eventually, the associate of arts general degree is right for you. It gives you a well-rounded blend of arts courses designed to let you see some of the options you will have later, once you decide on a specialty to focus on.
Giving you a full two years of study, the general associate of arts degree fulfills most, if not all, course requirements for third-year entry into BC approved Bachelor of Arts university degree programs. Mix and match your courses to suit your needs and interests, as long as they fulfill the specified requirements.
In addition to meeting the general admission requirements to Selkirk College, as outlined in Policy 8600: Pre-Admissions Basic Skills Assessment (College Readiness Tool CRT), and Policy 8611: Admissions, Applicants to the University Arts and Sciences Program must meet the following requirements to be considered fully qualified:
Academic
a) Students entering UAS courses, with the exceptions in 2- below, require at least 60% or better in English Studies 12, or equivalent. Students who do not meet this requirement must write the Language Proficiency Index (LPI) test and achieve a minimum of level 4 to attain equivalency.
b) French 102, Spanish 102, and English 51 do not require B.C. English Studies 12 or equivalent as a prerequisite. However, students enrolled in the English as a Second Language (ESL) Program wishing to take English 51 will be governed by the relevant policies and procedures of the International Education Program.
c) The English Studies 12 prerequisite may be waived for exceptional grade 12 students in the Transitions Program. Credit for transitions courses will be withheld until a grade of 60% or better in English Studies 12 is achieved.
d) Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the College’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.
e) Additional admission requirements may be necessary for particular certificate programs, diploma programs or associate degrees. Course prerequisites and program admission requirements are defined in the appendices at the end of this document, in the Selkirk College calendar, and on the College website www.selkirk.ca
f) Mature students must meet the English Studies 12 requirement and additional course requirements as specified in the college calendar.
Additional Requirements
Students whose first language is not English must fulfill the college’s English language proficiency requirement. See Policy 8611: Admissions.
Mature students must meet the English 12 requirement.
If you are a student who lacks the admission requirements, you may still gain entry to the program by taking a combination of Academic Upgrading and university courses in your first year. This may extend the length of your program.
Graduation and Promotion
All Associate of Arts students are required to complete:
Two semester courses in first-year English
Six semester courses in first-year Arts in two or more subject areas
Three semester courses in UAS science and math at the 100 level or higher, of which, one must be a lab science and one must be a UAS math, statistics or computer science course
Biology 101, Geography 130 and 232, and Geology are considered lab sciences
Six semester courses in second-year Arts in two or more subject areas
Six additional UAS courses
Students must achieve a GPA of 2.00
Note: This is a suggested listing of courses for a two-year Associate of Arts degree. Students are advised to meet with an academic counselor and to ensure that their course selections will meet the degree requirements of the subsequent institution(s) they plan to attend.
Associate Degrees
The Associate Degree is a formally established credential recognized province-wide. Graduation from this program requires the completion of sixty (60) credits of university-level study in selected areas with an overall GPA of 2.0. For details, see the B.C. Council of Admissions and Transfers at (www.bctransferguide.ca)
The School of University Arts and Sciences offers an Associate of Arts Degree program and an Associate of Science Degree program. It also offers specialized associate degree programs focusing on particular disciplines. The admission requirements, graduation requirements, and course of studies for each program are defined in the appendices at the end of this document, in the Selkirk College calendar, and on the College website at www.selkirk.ca
ENGL 110 introduces students to the world of scholarly writing -- reading it, thinking about it, and producing it as academic researchers. Students will explore how professional and/or academic writers across disciplines communicate to a variety of audiences. Students will practice active reading, writing and critical thinking skills by conducting scholarly research on a topic. This course aims to equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to write effectively within academic contexts.
Prerequisites
English Studies 12, or equivalent with a minimum of 60%
Credits
3.00
Elective Courses
The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.
ENGL 111 Introduction to Literature is about living more intensely. Rather than providing answers, literature prompts us to ask better questions of ourselves and each other. Drama, poetry, short stories, and novels will guide us in discussion, reflection, and writing about literature.
Prerequisites
English 110, or equivalent with a minimum of 60%
Credits
3.00
Elective Courses
The following is a suggested selection of courses. Students are advised to meet with a Selkirk College counsellor to discuss course options.
General Studies – Associate of Arts Degree, Year 1
Tuition
$3,399
Mandatory Fees
$441
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$4,296
General Studies – Associate of Arts Degree, Year 2
Tuition
$2,578
Mandatory Fees
$404
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$3,437
2025/26
General Studies – Associate of Arts Degree, Year 1
Tuition
$3,467
Mandatory Fees
$450
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$4,372
General Studies – Associate of Arts Degree, Year 2
Tuition
$2,630
Mandatory Fees
$412
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$3,497
International
2024/25
General Studies – Associate of Arts Degree, Year 1
Tuition
$13,300
Mandatory Fees
$633
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$14,388
General Studies – Associate of Arts Degree, Year 2
Tuition
$13,300
Mandatory Fees
$633
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$14,388
2025/26
General Studies – Associate of Arts Degree, Year 1
Tuition
$13,950
Mandatory Fees
$844
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$15,249
General Studies – Associate of Arts Degree, Year 2
Tuition
$13,950
Mandatory Fees
$844
Student Union Fees
$455
Total
$15,249
All amounts are estimates and are subject to change. Tuition amounts are based on a full-time course load. Please note that many programs have additional costs beyond those listed here. For more information, please visit Tuition & Fees.