An undergraduate degree in the Faculty of Social Sciences consists of 20 full-course equivalents. At the core of the degree are the courses taken to fulfill the requirements of the major - the discipline or area of study in which the student chooses to specialize. Most majors are in the nine departments of the faculty. Some, like the majors in International Relations, Urban Studies, and International Indigenous Studies, cut across several departments. There are also collaborative programs (like Latin American Studies) that are offered jointly with other faculties. A major requires at least seven (and generally no more than 10) full-course equivalents, which must cover the specific course requirements laid out for every major program. Details of these course requirements can be found in program listings in the University of Calgary calendar, or by consulting the links to departments and programs on this website.
Some students also include a minor field of study in their degree program. Generally, a minor consists of at least five, and not more than six, full course equivalents in another discipline outside the major field. Minors can be taken in programs within the Faculty of Social Sciences, or through some other faculties. Every degree must have a major, but minors are optional. Courses that count toward a major cannot also count toward a minor.
All of the major programs in the Faculty of Social Sciences (except International Relations, and International Indigenous Studies) offer Honours programs as well. Honours programs are intended to prepare students for entry to higher degrees in their major field of study, as well as offer enrichment and challenge for interested students. Admission to an Honours program requires a GPA of at least 3.3 over the most recent course work to a maximum of 10 full-course equivalents, and a GPA of at least 3.3 in Social Sciences courses included in the 10 full courses. (Psychology is an exception here. See the Calendar, or the Psychology Department's webpage, for details.) Students are eligible to apply when they have completed five full-course equivalents. Because some Honours programs have specific coursework or other requirements, interested students should consult the department concerned as soon as they are eligible for admission.
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