An Associate Degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year university degree. Universities in British Columbia will guarantee 60 transfer credits to holders of an Associate Degree.
Students must meet the grade point average (GPA) established by each university for admission. Upon completion, students qualify to apply for a post-graduate work permit in Canada.
Program Overview
- Associate of Arts Degree in International Studies provides students with a broader perspective of global development. It also prepares students to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies or a related field.
- Students will be able to gain a solid understanding of political, social, cultural and economic issues in a global context.
Skills Gained
- Multi-perspective and multi-disciplinary way of thinking
- Strong knowledge of global issues and events that shape the world
- Inter-cultural curriculum which promotes critical thinking
- Interpersonal, communication and community building skills through experiential learning
- Diverse research skills in evaluating policy decisions, public opinion and global narratives
Accelerated Associate Degree: Tri-mester system
- Students benefit from the tri-mester system with intakes in January, May, and September. This means students can take more courses over a 12-month period and can complete an Associate Degree in 16 months or two years.
- Students take a minimum of 3 and a maximum of 5 courses per semester.
- Students who do not wish to accelerate can complete an Associate Degree in 2 years.
Program Curriculum Framework
Must include: All requirements of an Associate of Arts Degree
20 courses (minimum 60 credits) of 1st & 2nd year courses, to include at least 6 courses (minimum 18 credits) in Arts at the 2nd year level, taken in two or more subject areas.
1st Year Courses
| ECON 103 Principles of Microeconomics |
| ECON 105 Principle of Macroeconomics |
| HIST 110 or 120 Canada to 1867 |
| PSCI 100 Introduction of Political Science |
2nd Year Courses
| PSCI 210 Introduction to International Relations and Global Politics |
| HIST 202 World History from 1500 |
One of:
| ECON 234 Wealth and Poverty of Nations |
| GEOG 230 Environment and Society: The Geography of Environmental Challenges |
| PSCI 252 Introduction to the Politics of the City |
| PSCI 253 Introduction to Public Policy |
| PSCI 260 Decolonizing Development: The Politics of Progress |
| PSCI 275 or SOCI 250 |
Career Possibilities
Approximately 748,500 job openings in British Columbia within the next 10 years will require some forms of post-secondary education
(British Columbia Labour Market Report Outlook: 2023 Edition, p. 4)
#1 in Canada, B.C. has the highest salary increase for 2023 for all industries compared to all over provinces.
(www.hrreporter.com)
Who Should Apply?
Students Who:
- Wish to make a difference on the international stage as a global citizen.
- Are interested in utilizing international knowledge in a globalized world.