Bachelor of Arts

Bachelor of Arts

Why take a Bachelor of Arts degree?

The short videos below provide clear, dynamic answers to that question!

You'll hear directly from instructors about their courses and research specialties while receiving important updates on job futures connected to our programs. And you'll discover how arts degrees help to build free, fair, and prosperous societies.

You can also hear award-winning poet and English professor Richard Harrison recite a poem that speaks powerfully to the value of a liberal arts education.

 

 



Studies show that our grads — just a few years into their careers —have salaries on par with business degree holders.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2012, a Canadian-born Bachelor of Arts holder, aged 25–34, will earn over $10,000 more per year than someone with only a high school diploma.

Statistics Canada reports that, in December 2015, those with occupations in social science, education, government service, and religion made more per hour ($31.64/hour) than those in the business, finance and administrative occupations ($23.81/hour) and health occupations ($28.53/hour).

In 2014, the business magazine, Forbes, reported that, while graduates with a Humanities degree may begin their career in a lower-paying job, by mid-career, their salary is comparable to or higher than those with professional degrees.

According to Statistics Canada, in 2012, more Canadian-born Bachelor of Arts holders, aged 25–34, were employed than in other areas. In fact, during this period, such a person was employed full time for at least one year more than graduates in Visual and Performing Arts, Engineering, Health, Personal and Protective Services, and those with only a high school diploma.

Employers are looking for candidates with a variety of skills. According to a 2013 study ("It Takes More than a Major: Employer Priorities for College Learning and Student Success"), commissioned by the Association of American Colleges and Universities, the top eight skills that employers are looking for are:

  1. Problem-solving in diverse settings;
  2. Ethical issues/public debates important to their field;
  3. Direct experiences with community problem solving;
  4. Civic knowledge, skills, and judgement essential for contributing to the community and to our democratic society;
  5. Critical thinking and analytic reasoning;
  6. Complex problem solving;
  7. Written and oral communication; and
  8. Broad knowledge in the liberal arts and sciences

Indeed, 93% of employers reported that they value a "demonstrated capacity to think critically, communicate clearly, and solve complex problems" more than the major of a candidate's degree.

These skills are the focus of a Bachelor of Arts degree. Regardless of the major you choose, you will gain valuable transferable skills including research, written and verbal communication, complex problem solving, knowledge of key public and ethical debates and topics, and critical thinking skills. In addition, at Mount Royal University, these skills will be paired with the opportunity to have direct community involvement through Community Service Learning courses, practica, and internships, not to mention international and local field schools.

Arts Departments

If you are unsure which major you wish to take, you can apply without declaring a major in your first year. Admission to the Bachelor of Arts — Undeclared lets you take courses across a broad range of disciplines before you choose your major.
Open yourself up to a world of opportunities

Mount Royal's Bachelor of Arts program gives you a well-rounded education that can lead to a wide variety of career options, including research, law, teaching, consulting, business and more.

Features of the Mount Royal Bachelor of Arts program include the following:

  • high academic standards;
  • relevant, current, and rigorous curriculum based on clearly articulated outcomes;
  • strong General Education/breadth component;
  • special emphasis on developing communication and critical thinking skills;
  • high level of student-teacher interaction;
  • highly qualified faculty dedicated to excellent instruction;
  • both major and honours streams available in several disciplines to accommodate career-oriented students as well as those planning further study;
  • use of leading-edge technology to enhance learning and classroom delivery;
  • experiential learning components, including Internships; and
  • opportunities for international study.