2 years at RDC + 2 years at RDC as a
University of Calgary collaborative student.

The purpose of a university education in the arts is not just to train you for a specific job, but to help you develop general skills that can be put to use in many different work situations. The Conference Board of Canada has identified the following as critical skills required for Canada's workforce:

• Academic Skills (Communication, Thinking, Learning, Research)
• Personal Management Skills (Positive Attitudes/Behaviours, Responsibility, Adaptability)
• Teamwork Skills (Working with Others)

Bachelor of Arts students have exceptional opportunities to learn and hone these skills while also acquiring a background in their specific area(s) of interest.

Sociology graduates may obtain employment in related areas such as social services, corrections, research, statistics, and government service.

Psychology graduates might obtain employment in related areas such as social services, counselling, law enforcement, human resources, life skills training, or government service.

Bachelor of Arts graduates may also go on to professional studies (for example in fields such as law, business, education, etc.) or may continue to graduate studies (for a Master's or Doctoral degree) in their specific area of interest. Graduate work is required in order for a student to become a Chartered Psychologist or to become an instructor or researcher at the university level.

The University of Calgary/Red Deer College Bachelor of Arts Collaborative Degree is a 4 year program (40 half year courses) that can be completed entirely on the Red Deer College campus. Psychology, or Sociology Majors are available. An optional Minor in Anthropology, Communication and Media Studies, English, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology may also be completed.

Students take the first 2 years of a Red Deer College B.A. university transfer program. (Students with transfer credit or completed degrees of diplomas from other institutions can often use it towards Year 1 & 2 and would apply directly to the University of Calgary.) They then apply to complete the 3rd and 4th years as a University of Calgary student on the Red Deer College campus.

Year 1 & 2 courses are Red Deer College university transferable courses taught by RDC Faculty. Year 3 & 4 courses are taught by a combination of University of Calgary and Red Deer College Faculty.

The B.A. degree awarded is the same degree granted to students who complete their course work at the University of Calgary. Graduation requirements are the same as those outlined in the University of Calgary Calendar. (See “Graduation Requirements” later in this section for program details.)

Students may maintain part-time status and can start their program with evening classes, but eventually must take day time classes to complete their degree.

Application & Admission Requirements to Years 1 & 2 (RDC)

Students can apply to the RDC Bachelor of Arts university transfer program to complete Years 1 & 2 (i.e. the first 14-20 courses of your degree). Admission requirements are listed under the Bachelor of Arts (university transfer program) section of the RDC calendar.

If you do not have the high school courses you need to enter the RDC B.A. transfer program directly, RDC offers high school upgrading courses, which you can take before or during the start of your degree program. Consult an Academic Advisor or check the Open Studies or Career and Academic Preparatory program sections of the RDC Calendar for details.

You may already have credit towards Year 1 & 2 of your degree if you have taken a 2 year post-secondary diploma program or university transferable post secondary courses. Contact the B.A. Collaborative Degree Office to have your previous course work assessed before you register in further RDC courses.

Note: A maximum of 20 courses (60 transfer credits) from RDC and/or any institutions other than the University of Calgary may be transferred into this program. In order for a course to transfer, a minimum grade of "D" or better must have been achieved in the course. But no more than 6 credits "D" or "D+" grade are allowed in courses in the major field. A minimum grade of C- in any pre-requisite courses.

If you will exceed the 20 course transfer limit before the next Fall (Year 3 of the U of C program) intake, consult the B.A. Collaborative Degree Office about taking courses as a part-time U of C Open Studies student.

Application to Year 3 - (University of Calgary at RDC)

The University of Calgary accepts student into the collaborative program for the Fall term ONLY. The online application is available at the Program Website. The application deadline is usually March 1; however, for early registration and better course selection, complete your application for Fall admission by December. Refer to the site listed above for further details.

If you wish to take U of C courses prior to formal admission to the Bachelor of Arts Collaborative Program, consult the B.A. Collaborative Degree Office about becoming a part-time U of C Open Studies student.

Admission Requirements to Year 3 - (University of Calgary at RDC)

For admission to Year 3 you will need:

1. Sociology Majors: ELA 30-1 or acceptable equivalent. (Note: Acceptable equivalent from RDC is ENGL 095).  OR Psychology Majors: ELA 30-1 and Math 30-2 or Math 310-1 or acceptable equivalents. Note: Acceptable equivalents from RDC are ENGL 095, MATH 092, or Math 096.
2. A minimum of 14 courses (i.e. 42 transfer credits) of applicable university-level work already completed (normally by the end of the previous Winter term).
3. Sociology Majors: A minimum grade point average of 2.3 (on the 4.00 scale, approximately "C" average) over your most recent 10 half course equivalents (30 transfer credits) university-level work.
4. Psychology Majors: A minimum 3.1 (subject to change) the actual GPA required for acceptance may be higher. Check the Program Website or the U of C Registrar's Office for details.

Although it is not required, it is strongly recommended that you have completed the following RDC courses or equivalents by the end of Year 2. Otherwise course sequencing may be affected and the remaining courses may have to be taken over a period longer than 2 years:

Psychology Majors: RDC

• PSYC 260
• PSYC 261
• PSYC 300
• PSYC 301 (PSYC 300/301 was formally known as PSYC 312)
• Sr PSYC (12 credits) chosen from Foundation courses

Sociology Majors: RDC

• SOCI 260
• SOCI 261
• SOCI 310
• SOCI 312
• SOCI 332
• SOCI 333
• Sr SOCI (6 credits)

Note: A maximum of 20 courses (60 transfer credits) from RDC and/or any institutions other than the University of Calgary may be transferred into this program. In order for a course to transfer, a minimum grade of "D" or better must have been achieved in the course.

If you will exceed the 20 courses before the next Fall Year 3 U of C program intake, consult the B.A. Collaborative Degree Office about taking courses as a U of C Open Studies student.

Fees

You pay RDC fees for Year 1 & 2 of this program. One full year of course work usually consists of ten 3 credit courses (30 credits).

Once you have been admitted to the University of Calgary B.A. Program Year 3 (at RDC), you will pay all required fees to the University. Fees are charged per half course. The normal load for a full-time student is 5 half courses per term in Fall & Winter terms.

Check the Program Website for each institution's fee schedule for updated fees.

Academic Rules & Regulations

Once you have been admitted to University of Calgary (at RDC), you are subject to U of C's academic deadlines, rules and regulations. The "U of C at RDC" Student Handbook on the Program Website summarizes much of the important information. Details are available in the U of C Calendar.

Course requirements to graduate with each of the degrees are outlined in the current University of Calgary Calendar under “Faculty of Arts” Program planning assistance is available from the B.A. Collaborative Degree Office.

The following program outlines are designed to give an overview of the degree requirements and recommended course sequencing. These requirements are unofficial and subject to change. Please refer to U of C Collaborative Office for the most up to date information regarding these programs. Do not base your course selections on the information contained here; this is for general information purposes only.

Please note that the University of Calgary uses half course equivalents when referring to their degrees.  1 half course equivalent (HCE) is equal to a 3 credit class.1 full course equivalent (FCE) refers to six credits. A Bachelor’s Degree is comprised of 40 half course equivalents, or, 20 full course equivalents. A breakdown of each major’s requirements is as follows:

Psychology Major

Recommended sequence of courses - 10 half course equivalents (HCEs) per year

RDC Student

Year 1:

• PSYC 260 Basic Psychological Processes & PSYC 261 Social & Individual Behaviour (6 credits)
• Science requirement (6 credits)
• Non-PSYC Options (18 credits)

Year 2:

• PSYC 300 AND 301 - Experimental Design & Quantitative Research Methods (6 credits)
• Sr PSYC courses chosen from Foundations courses (12 credits)
• Non-PSYC Options (12 credits)

*Note: Do not exceed 8 HCEs PSYC courses while an RDC student.

Apply to the U of C (at RDC) Year 3 program during 2nd year. You MUST have ELA 30-1 or equivalent for admission to the U of C (at RDC) PSYC program. While MATH 30-2 or Math 30-1 or equivalents is required prior to taking PSYC 300/301, it is not an admission requirement.

University of Calgary (at RDC) Student

Year 3:

• 3 HCEs of PSYC 400-level (including 1 HCE with lab)
• 2 HCEs PSYC 300-level Foundation course (or more to complete Foundation courses)
• 5 HCEs Options

Year 4:

• 3 HCEs of PSYC 400-level (including 1HCE with lab)
• 7 HCEs Options

Notes:

• PSYC Foundations Courses: All students must take
  • PSYC 300/301 Experimental Design & Quantitative Research Methods 
  • PSYC 341 Social Psychology
  • PSYC 353 Developmental Psychology or PSYC 357 Adult Development & Aging
  • PSYC 369 Sensation & Perception or PSYC 358 Cognition
  • PSYC 375 Brain & Behaviour
  • PSYC 389 Abnormal Psychology or PSYC 383 Abnormal Personality
• Maximum 20 HCE PSYC in degree.
• No more than 16 half-year courses above can be Junior (200-level).
• Maximum 8 half-course equivalents can be taken in the major while a RDC student.

Sociology Major

Recommended sequence of courses - 10 half course equivalents (HCE's) per year

RDC Student

Year 1:

• SOCI 260 Sociological Concepts & SOCI 261 Perspectives & Canadian Society (6 credits)
• Science requirement (6 credits)
• SOCI Options (6 credits)
• Non-SOCI options (12 credits)

Year 2:

• SOCI 312 Intro to Social Methodology & SOCI 310 Intro to Social Statistics (6 credits)
• SOCI 332 & SOCI 333 - The Development of Sociology I & II (6 credits)
• Sr SOCI (6 credits)
• Non-SOCI Options (96 credits)

Apply to the U of C (at RDC) Year 3 program during 2nd year. You MUST have ELA 30-1 or equivalent for admission to the U of C (at RDC) SOCI program.

University of Calgary (at RDC) Student

Year 3:

• 2 HCEs SOCI 400-level
• SOCI 315 Social Statistics II
• 7 HCEs Options

Year 4:

• 2 HCEs of SOCI 400-level
• 7 HCEs Options

Notes:

• Maximum 20 HCE SOCI in degree
• No more than 16 half-year courses above can be Junior (200-level)
• Maximum 8 half-course equivalents can be taken in the major while a RDC student.

Sociology Major - Honours

A B.A. Honours Degree in Sociology can be completed at the RDC campus. Program requirements are different than those listed above. See the B.A. Collaborative Degree Office for program details.

Minor Field

A Minor Field of study is not required but may be completed in the following areas:

Anthropology Minor

Include at least 10 HCEs in the field of Anthropology of which 6 HCEs must be at the senior level.

Communications Studies Minor

Include at least 10 HCEs from the field of Communications including:

• RDC courses COMM 271, 341, 369, 371, 375, and 381.
• FILM 201 or 202
• One option: U of C’s COMS 363 which can be taken online or a block week film course. See the BA Collab Advisors for details.

English Minor

Include 10 HCEs from the field of English including:

• ENGL 219/ENGL 220 (6 credits) 
• ENGL 302 (full year) - Intro to Contemporary Theoretical Practices
• ENGL 340 (full year) - Literature in English-Middle Ages to present.

History Minor

Include at least 10 HCEs from the field of History including:

• at least 6 HCEs at the senior (300) level.
• 1 HCE of HIST at the 400 level (must be taken as an independent study).
• 3 HCEs in one field of study (either Canadian or European history).

Philosophy Minor

Include at least 10 HCEs in the field of Philosophy of which 6 HCEs must be at the senior level.

Political Science Minor

Include at least 10 HCEs in the field of Political Science of which 6 HCEs must be at the senior level.

Psychology Minor

Include at least 10 HCEs in the field of Psychology including:
PSYC 260/261
PSYC 300/301 (unless your major is Sociology)

Sociology Minor

Include at least 10 HCEs in the field of Sociology of which 6 HCEs must be at the senior level.

Course Offerings

While enrolled in the University of Calgary B.A. Program at RDC (years 3 and 4), you will take a combination of two types of courses: courses offered on campus directly by the University, and RDC courses that have been specifically cross-listed as University of Calgary equivalents.

Each year there will be a selection of courses available, not only in Psychology, and Sociology, but also in other Humanities and Social Sciences disciplines: Anthropology, Classics, Communications, Economics, Film Studies, French, History, Philosophy, Political Science, and Spanish. A number of Science and Fine Arts courses are also cross-listed in Art, Astronomy, Biology, Computing Science, Drama, Geography, Music and Physiology.