University Canada West has received official authorisation from the British Columbia Ministry of Advanced Education, Skills & Training to offer an Associate of Arts degree to help students prepare for any further studies of their choice.
UCW‘s AA degree will be an interdisciplinary set of courses that focus on providing students with core skills in written and oral communication, research, critical thinking and problem solving, and working collaboratively.
“We are equipped to meet the education demands of domestic and international students”
Tier 1 courses will establish basic university skills of writing and research while introducing students to a range of disciplines and topics including English, Mathematics and Social Sciences.
Tier 2 provides broader academic exposure and deeper exploration in a variety of subject areas.
The degree will enable students to move seamlessly into bachelor degree programs at UCW or transfer into the third year of a bachelor degree program at other British Columbia degree-granting institutions.
It is expected the degree will be particularly useful for students who typically discover other career interests during their first two years of study.
UCW president and vice-chancellor Arthur Coren said there is great demand for the AA degree and he is confident the addition will fit well with the others on offer at the university.
“With a varied portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate degrees and preparatory courses, we are now able to offer a wide spectrum of programs.”
UCW has been undergoing rapid growth in recent months.
In May it launched the GUS LOVE Canada Scholarship, which recognises academic achievement and provides financial support for two years for undergraduate students, including those in the AA program. It is available to both domestic and international students.
UCW has also expanded its student support services, with a team of Academic Advisors that can guide students in their course selection to match their future education goals.
Coren added that the authorisation to deliver the AA degree strengthens UCW’s participation in BC’s post-secondary education and increases the number of opportunities available to our students.
“We’ve worked hard to make this degree available to our students… and we are equipped to meet the education demands of domestic and international students,” he added.
The first intake for the AA degree is expected for fall 2018.
