Overview of Program Routes
Bachelor of Arts (B.A.): This degree is designed to provide students with a liberal arts education. Many career opportunities are available to graduates of an Arts degree - from psychologists to police officers to politicians. Students develop diverse skills in research, communication, writing, organization, critical thinking, and analysis that are applicable to many careers. A B.A. may also provide preparation for further study such as Law, Masters, or After-Degree programs.
Bachelor of Commerce: A business degree opens many doors. Graduates may pursue opportunities in government and large enterprises or become partners or owners of small firms. The types of positions graduates hold in these organizations range from systems analysts to financial analysts, from sales managers to accountants. The commerce degree may also provide preparation for further study towards professional designations such as CPA or professional programs in Law or MBA (Masters in Business Administration).
Bachelor of Science: Many students will begin their studies in a general science program in order to fulfil the requirements for another area of study (such as Pharmacy, Medicine, or Dentistry). However, there are many areas of study and career options with a Bachelor of Science degree. Graduates may pursue careers in consulting or research and areas of interest such as pharmaceuticals, petrochemicals or environment.
Medical Laboratory Science: The Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the University of Alberta (U of A) offers an undergraduate degree program in Medical Laboratory Science to meet the demand for more highly qualified research laboratory personnel; for senior and supervisory technologists in large hospitals, government, and private laboratories; and for teaching positions in various schools of medical laboratory technology. Those wishing to enroll in the program must complete a full-time, pre-professional year of study, followed by three years in the Division of Medical Laboratory Science of the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry at the U of A. Students spend one year in practical hospital training, rotating through public and private laboratories. Graduates become important members of a health care team, performing a variety of laboratory tests and procedures which assist in diagnosing, treating, and preventing diseases.
Pre-Dental Hygiene: The University of Alberta’s (U of A’s) Dental Hygiene diploma program consists of one year of pre-professional study followed by years two, three, and four in the dental hygiene degree program to complete Bachelor of Science (Dental Hygiene Specialization).
The dental hygienist is an integral member of the health care team and strives to improve oral health by providing preventive services and educational information to the public. Clinical dental hygiene services may include assessing patients’ health status, inspecting hard and soft tissues of the oral cavity, removing deposits and stains from teeth, exposing and developing dental radiographs, applying topical fluorides, administering anesthetic, taking impressions for study models, and polishing amalgam restorations. Educational information may include nutritional and oral hygiene counseling and community dental health program planning, implementation, and evaluation.
Dentistry: According to the Canadian Dental Association, dentistry is an artistic as well as scientific profession. Dentists must have an artist’s aesthetic sense, an eye for detail and the manual dexterity to perform precise procedures in a small area. Dentists must also be good communicators who can interact well with a diverse group of people. Visit the Canadian Dental Association website at www.cda-adc.ca to learn more about the profession and the required Dental Aptitude Test (DAT).
Nursing: The University of Saskatchewan’s new four-year College of Nursing undergraduate program was introduced in 2011 with a first year of preprofessional studies in arts and sciences followed by three years of nursing education. This unique program will appeal to those with a strong academic standing, an attitude of curiosity and inquiry, and a genuine interest in caring for diverse people of all ages. Graduates will earn a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) and will play a vital role in health care in Saskatchewan and beyond.
Nutrition: According to the USask website, dieticians and nutritionists advise and educate people about food, diet, and nutrition. This may focus on the nutritional needs of certain members of the population such as children, senior citizens, or low-income families. They may work under provincial regulatory bodies to ensure that clients receive safe and ethical advice. To become a Registered Dietician, students need to complete the degree, a professional internship (which is included within the degree at the USask), and the Canadian Dietetic Registration Examination. See the Dieticians of Canada website for more details: www.dietitians.ca
Pharmacy: Qualifications for registration as a licensed pharmacist for most provinces in Canada include a bachelor’s or doctor of pharmacy degree from an accredited program, completion of the national board exam through the Pharmacy Examining Board of Canada, and completion of structured practical experience through an apprenticeship/internship program. See the appropriate university calendar or website for more information about the profession and requirements. As a profession, pharmacy is changing so visit the Canadian Pharmacists’ Association for additional details: http://www.pharmacists.ca/
Veterinary Medicine: Members of the profession of Veterinary Medicine are primarily responsible for the health of farm livestock and poultry, as well as pets. Veterinarians diagnose animal illnesses, treat diseased and injured animals, perform surgery, provide preventive medical services, and provide advice regarding the care and breeding of animals. However, other opportunities exist in government service and public health, such as inspection of production and storage and distribution of animal food products. Research opportunities are also available.
Prospective veterinarians must complete at least two years of pre-professional study followed by a four-year Doctor of Veterinary Medicine (DVM) program. Because of the competitive nature of the program, most applicants for DVM programs will have to complete more than two years of university work in a related faculty such as science or agriculture before being admitted to the degree program. Students are, therefore, encouraged to explore other options in science as a “back-up” plan.
Social Work: According to the Canadian Association of Social Workers, social work is a profession concerned with helping individuals, families, groups and communities to enhance their individual and collective well-being. It aims to help people develop their skills and their ability to use their own resources and those of the community to resolve problems. Social work is concerned with individual and personal problems but also with broader social issues such as poverty, unemployment and domestic violence. Social workers provide services as members of a team or on a one-to-one basis. The duties performed by social workers depend upon the settings in which they work. Social workers employed by child welfare agencies (public and private) investigate cases of family violence, child abuse and neglect and take protective action as required; they may recruit foster parents, supervise the placement of children in protective care, or work on adoption cases. Many school boards hire social workers to help students adjust to the school environment and to help students, parents and teachers to deal with problems such as aggressive behavior, truancy and family problems. In general and psychiatric hospitals, social workers provide a link between the treatment team, the family, and community resources. In health and community services centers, social workers may provide counseling to individuals, families, and seniors. In the correctional field, social workers may be part of a team concerned with the social rehabilitation of young or adult offenders. They may work as classification officers, probation officers, or parole officers. Social workers in private practice offer their services on a fee-for-service basis to individuals, families and organizations; their services include counseling, psychotherapy, mediation, sex therapy, policy and program development, organizational development, and employee assistance programs. Government departments and social planning councils may employ social workers in policy analysis, policy development and planning. Researchers are found in universities and governments. Others are teaching in universities and community colleges. To learn more, visit www.casw-acts.ca.
Route Admission Requirements:
Route | English 30-1 English A30/B30 | Math 30-1 Pre-Calculus 30 | Math 30-2 Foundations 30 | Biology 30 | Chemistry 30 | Physics 30 |
Arts | ✓ | * | * | | | |
Commerce | ✓ | ✓ | | | | |
Elementary Education | ✓ | | ✓ | | | |
Secondary Education | ✓ | * | * | * | * | * |
Science | ✓ | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | * |
Social Work | ✓ | | | | | |
USask Nursing | ✓ | | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ | |
Other | ✓ | | | | | |
Undecided | ✓ | | | | | |
Legend: Checkmark means required to be admitted into the program route. Star shows when extra requirements might be needed, depending on major and/or minor choice.
Example:
- U of A psychology will need at least Math 30-2 or Foundations Math 30
- Science - physics is good to have as some majors have a physics requirement especially if planning to transfer to USask.
Route Length
Route | 1 year (30 credits) | 2 years (60 credits) | Depend on major/minor choice |
University of Alberta |
Arts | | | ✓ |
Commerce | ✓ | | |
Elementary Education | | ✓ | |
Secondary Education | | | ✓ |
Science | | | ✓ |
Medical Laboratory Science | | ✓ (Note 5) | |
Dental Hygiene | ✓ | | |
Dentistry | ✓ (Note 6) | | |
Pharmacy | ✓ (Note 6) | | |
Nutritian | ✓ | | |
University of Saskatchewan |
Arts | | | ✓ |
Commerce | ✓ | | |
Elementary Education | ✓ | | |
Secondary Education | ✓ (Note 1) | | |
Science | | | ✓ |
Dentistry | | ✓ (Note 2) | |
Nursing | ✓ | | |
Nutrition | ✓ | | |
Pharmacy | ✓ (Note 7) | | |
Veterinary Medicine | | ✓ | |
MacEwan University |
Commerce | ✓ | | |
Social Work | | ✓ (Note 3) | |
Arts | | | ✓ |
Science | | | ✓ |
University of Calgary |
Veterinary Medicine | | ✓ | |
Social Work | | ✓ (Note 3) | |
Elementary Education | ✓ | | |
Secondary Education | ✓ | | |
Community-Based | | ✓ (Note 8) | |
Arts | ✓ | | |
Science | | | ✓ |
University of Regina |
Social Work | ✓ (Note 4) | | |
Note:
- Students beginning their student studies in UT will have the most options with the following combinations of teaching areas:
- Teaching Area 1 (TA1): Social Studies/Social Science and Teaching Area 2 (TA2): English, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Math, or Drama
- TA1: English, and TA2: Social Studies/Social Science
Other options are available, but a full year (5 courses each semester), will not be achieved.
- An additional 3 credits of Metabolism Biochemistry is required. Students may take two years of sciences and transfer to a science program at
USask to complete the remaining 30 credits of pre-professional requirements for dentistry.
- Students take 19 University Transfer courses, plus the required SOWK 201 (U of C), or SOWK 240 (MacEwan).
- UT students may complete some of the required courses and some electives in their first year and then apply to transfer to the university (either the U of R or USask) for their second year. In year two, transfer students would continue in the pre-Social Work program and take INDG 100 or equivalent (required for admission to the BSW). Students would be eligible to apply to the Bachelor of Social Work degree for their third and fourth years of study.
- Students can once again take the requirements in one year, but it is not recommended. Students would need to complete ENGL 112 , CHEM 101 , CHEM 161 , BIOL 107 and BIOL 108 in the first semester. In the second semester, they’d continue ENGL 112 and take CHEM 102 , STAT 151 , BIOL 207 and an elective. Not an ideal first (or even second) semester. It’s recommended that students take the requirements over two years.
- An additional 6 credits of Human Physiology is now required. Students may take one year of sciences and transfer to a science program at U of A to complete the remaining 30 credits of pre-professional requirements. Some students have chosen to take the 6-credit course online through U of A. This allows them to stay the full 2 years.
- An additional 3 credits of Metabolism Biochemistry is required. Students may take one year of sciences and transfer to a science program at USask to complete the remaining 30 credits of pre-professional requirements for pharmacy.
- Students can only take up to 57 credits of non-education courses for the community-based education program at U of C. Some supplemental courses through Athabasca University may be required for certain teaching areas. Students can start at U of C in Year 1, 2, or 3. Application deadline is March 1st. All education courses through the U of C are done online, except for the 2-3 times they are required to be on campus for 2 weeks in July.