Applied Bachelor of Arts: Community Research and Evaluation
Study the social sciences and liberal arts through applied learning, including a field experience and a significant capstone research project. This innovative program prepares graduates to contribute solutions to regional issues and to access further studies in the Master of Social Work at UBC мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾.
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Campus
- Kelowna
- Vernon
- Penticton
Legend:
- Full program offered
- Partial program offered
Credential
Degree
Delivery options
Full-Time
- International students eligible
Tuition and fees
2024-25: $4,745.30 per year
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This program is student loan eligible. View Financial Aid & Awards
- Fees listed are for first year (two semesters) for a typical, full-time student taking 10 courses (8 lecture-based courses and 2 course with lab components). Depending on the campus and the courses selected fees may vary.
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Fees include all mandatory fees: Activity fee, Health & Dental, Student Association fee, Education Technology fee, Development fee.
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All amounts are approximate and are subject to change.
Program details
мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College offers a four-year Applied Bachelor of Arts degree, located at the Kelowna campus with limited course offerings at Salmon Arm, Vernon and Penticton campuses. This baccalaureate degree provides graduates with employable skills in applied research and an understanding of how the social sciences and liberal arts actively contribute to a culturally diverse sustainable society. Developed for the context of the southern interior of B.C., this program includes studies of regional Indigenous cultures and prepares graduates for direct contributions to local and regional issues. Through contextualized learning, the goal of the degree is to provide applied research skills within a context of liberal arts studies and applied social science, emphasizing an empirical orientation to understanding, to application of knowledge, and to intervention. Characterized by the strengths of a terminal degree that produces employable skills, this degree can also prepare students for admission to selective graduate studies programs. All graduates of this applied degree program will be ready for today's job market through mastery of higher-order analytical skills and techniques for applied research. Practical related field experience is a central component of the applied degree education.
This degree enables students to develop competencies in academic and professional writing, qualitative and quantitative analysis, critical thinking skills, ethics, applied research, program evaluation, multi-disciplinary world views, and languages other than English (including regional First Nations' languages). Students will complete field experience (a practicum, field placement or co-operative education program in the fourth year) as well as a capstone project that will tie academic studies to relevant local and regional issues. The degree program develops and maintains scholastic strengths in students, requiring a minimum of 55% in each course counting toward the degree and a minimum cumulative grade average of 60% for all courses taken while in the program. For students seeking direct entry into the Master of Social Work Foundational Two-Year Track graduate studies program at UBC мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾, in addition to these degree requirements a minimum grade average of 76% in the upper level courses counting toward the degree is required.
Community Research and Evaluation
A community research focus of the Applied Bachelor of Arts degree provides students with pathways to applied social service work or potential for transition to graduate studies at UBC мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾. Students will be granted an Applied Bachelor of Arts: Community Research and Evaluation (ABA-CRE) degree upon completion of the following:
As a current мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College student, you can request a transfer into the degree from your current program by completing an online form. Current OC students do not have to pay an application fee to transfer programs into the ABA. Note that the admission requirements (see below) for the degree, which include English and Math, may be met by courses completed at OC which have been designated as equivalents. Students are strongly advised to book an or come to a drop-in session.
Up to 15 eligible graduates of the Applied Bachelor of Arts: Community Research and Evaluation program per year will earn direct entry into the Master of Social Work foundational two-year graduate studies program at UBC мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾. Of those spaces, some are specifically set aside for students who identify as Indigenous. Those seeking direct entry must achieve a minimum grade average of 76% in the upper level courses counting toward the degree to meet UBCO admission requirements.
Students who successfully complete the Applied Bachelor of Arts may also choose to apply for graduate studies programs at other institutions. OC strongly recommends these students consult the admissions offices of those institutions to ensure they meet eligibility requirements.
- Students will develop employable skills in applied research and competencies in academic and professional writing, qualitative and quantitative analysis, critical thinking skills, program evaluation and multi-disciplinary world views.
- Students will be introduced to languages other than English, particularly Indigenous language spoken within the region.
- Graduates can use their course and field experience to seek occupations such as program administrators, managers and analysts in social service agencies, non-profit organizations, community groups and various levels of government.
- Graduates will be prepared to work as consultants, social policy researchers and advocates for youth, women, families, minorities and cultural diversity.
Click here for a fillable course planning PDF for this program.
If you cannot open or read the above document, please email .
Please note, the first and second years of the program are offered fully at all campuses as are requirements for the completion of the fourth year field placement and capstone project. However, the program can only be completed in full in Kelowna.
| Campus | Start date | Schedule |
|---|---|---|
| Kelowna | Jan. 06, 2025 | |
| Penticton | Jan. 06, 2025 | First year and select second year courses offered, program can only be completed in Kelowna |
| Salmon Arm | Jan. 06, 2025 | |
| Vernon | Jan. 06, 2025 | First year and select second year courses offered, program can only be completed in Kelowna. |
| Kelowna | Sep. 03, 2025 | |
| Penticton | Sep. 03, 2025 | First two years offered, program can only be completed in Kelowna |
| Vernon | Sep. 03, 2025 | First year and select second year courses offered |
Admission requirements
Regular Applicants:
- Regular applicants have B.C. high school graduation (or equivalent) completed or are currently enrolled in Grade 12.
Academic Requirements:
- B.C. high school graduation (or equivalent), including satisfaction of the English entrance requirements.
- The English entrance requirement is completion of English 12 with a minimum grade of 70%. Equivalent English 12 alternatives can be accessed at this .
- Applicants who have passed English 12 with a minimum grade of less than 70% may be admitted if they take мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College Adult Basic Education English 012 concurrent to other courses in their first semester in the degree program.
Mature Applicants:
- Applicants shall be eligible for consideration for admission under the mature applicant category if they are at least 21 years old and have been out of full-time high school study for at least three years.
- The English entrance requirement for students admitted as mature applicants must be satisfied with successful completion of ENGL 012 concurrent to other courses in their first semester in the degree program in the first year of study at мÓÆÂÁùºÏ²Ê¹Ù·½ÍøÕ¾ College.
- Students must satisfy the English requirements to retain standing in the degree program.
Program outline
Year 1
Year 2
Year 3
Year 4
To receive an Applied Bachelor of Arts: Community Research and Evaluation a student must earn at least 120 credits as prescribed in the degree program outline. A minimum Cumulative Grade Average of 60% is required to be eligible for graduation with the ABA degree, and only course grades of 55% or greater will contribute to the credits necessary for graduation.
Additional information
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