Bachelor of Arts

At Carleton, you can structure your Bachelor of Arts degree according to what you want to achieve. You can pursue an intensive four-year Honors degree or a three-year General program. You can choose a minor subject to complement your major subject and you can, in certain cases, pursue a concentration or a specialization—a set of courses directed towards a designated area of expertise. If you are interested in two fields of study, you may be able to pursue them in a combined program. In our BA programs, you are given plenty of opportunities to hone your research, writing and presentation skills—skills that are all highly valued by future employers. Many programs also offer work-study options including co-op and field placements.

Welcome to Carleton University, Canada’s Capital University!

Carleton University, Canada’s Capital University, is a dynamic and innovative university with a strong commitment to teaching, research and learning. Our academic programs, campus community, capital location and global possibilities provide countless opportunities for learning to happen both inside and outside of the classroom.

Carleton University is located in Ottawa, a G7 capital city, which offers opportunities you won’t find anywhere else. Known primarily as the seat of Canada’s federal government, Ottawa is that and so much more. It is home to over 130 embassies and high commissions from around the world, as well as numerous national organizations and museums. A large percentage of Canada’s major medical, clinical and life sciences research centres are located in the Ottawa area, as well as a technology industry comprised of over 1,900 companies.

Ottawa is also one of the most beautiful capitals in the world, with a great number of neighbourhood parks and tranquil green spaces, waterways that wind through the city, and historical and architectural landmarks. The magnificent Gatineau Park, which features 165 km of hiking trails, is located in the National Capital Region.

Situated on a beautiful campus just minutes from downtown, Carleton has earned a reputation as one of the foremost universities in the fields of international affairs, commerce, journalism, and high technology. The wide range of nationally and internationally renowned programs offer the flexibility to choose the degree that suits your interests.

The best learning environments unite theory and practice. Research shows that experiential learning contributes to student engagement, deeper learning, improved academic outcomes, and enhanced work and life skills. At Carleton, we strive to provide students with real-life experiences that bring the classroom to the world and the world to the classroom. We emphasize hands-on research, community engagement, work experience and immersive learning.

Many of our programs feature co-op or practicum options, allowing students to develop their skills in a workplace environment. We also encourage undergraduate research, entrepreneurship initiatives and Community Service Learning. Having the paid "real-world" experience serves to complement all that is taught in the classroom and opens doors of opportunity upon completion of the undergraduate degree.

Carleton has a long history of attracting international students to our welcoming and inclusive campus. Today the university has approximately 4,500 international students from 150 countries, creating a diverse and supportive academic community. We are committed to giving back through education while pursuing contributions to the common good. These founding values are at the heart of the university’s focus on research, community partnerships and teaching excellence.