Academic Programs at Laurier

Wilfrid Laurier University offers a broad range of programs leading to undergraduate honours and general degrees, post-degree diplomas and programs at the master's and doctoral level. Undergraduate programs are described within the chapters of the Faculties of Arts, Music and Science, the Brantford Campus, and the School of Business & Economics.

New in this 2006-2007 publication are programs and courses in applied economics, Arabic, the financial mathematics minor, the honours programs in global studies, Mediterranean studies and physics. Comprehensive revisions have been endorsed for the administration option and programs in biology, chemistry, contemporary studies, human rights & human diversity, indigenous studies, mathematics, physics and computer science. The preceding Areas of Study at Laurier chapter, lists all programs and courses offered.

Effective September 2005, general degrees without a major will be available to students.
Effective September 2007, the university will offer only three general degrees: a BA, a BSc and a BA in Contemporary Studies (available only on the Brantford campus). No further designation (major, option or minor) is awarded with these degrees. Minimum progression and graduation requirements for these three general programs are effective September 2005.

Students admitted prior to September 2007, who have not allowed an 18-month lapse in course registration and are in good standing in their program/major, may follow the progression regulations that were in effect at the time of their registration in a general major.

Effective September 2005, new progression rules have been approved for all honours BA and BSc programs in the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Science.

Combined, simultaneous, cross-faculty, and sequential undergraduate degree programs are also available at Laurier. The University chapter outlines all degrees offered, and provides a brief history.

Honours programs require four years of study and lead to an honours degree (BA, BBA, BBSc, BSc, BMus or BMusTh). The four-year program is arranged to provide mastery of a particular discipline with a liberal education of some depth. Honours requirements usually stipulate courses that must be taken in each successive year of the program. The attainment of a General BA or BSc degree with no major in the Faculty of Arts or Faculty of Science normally requires three years of study, and as stated above, students admitted in September 2007 will have no further designation of a major or minor on these degrees. Undergraduates, in an honours program, select one or more subjects of specialization and are assured a liberal breadth of study in a range of disciplines, particularly in Year 1. Options, including the Co-operative and Administrative Options, are offered to students in honours programs. Diploma programs are available in the Department of Business and the Faculty of Music. Many disciplines also offer a Minor designation available to honours students.

Concurrent undergraduate programs are available with the University of Waterloo (BBA/BMath), Conestoga College (BSc/Diploma) and Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology (BA/Diploma-Certificate). Review the faculty chapters for information on these degrees and certificate/ diploma programs.

The Brantford campus offers the Honours and General Contemporary Studies BA degree program, and the concurrent BA/BEd program in conjunction with Nipissing University. Honours majors and minors are now available in criminology, journalism and organizational leadership. An option in children's education and development, and minors in human rights and human diversity, and Indigenous Studies are also described within the Brantford Campus chapter.

Students are urged to consult the course descriptions contained in each faculty's chapter for required courses and electives, and should note prerequisites. Course Description Definitions and the complete Glossary of university terms appear on the left-hand navigation bar.

Laurier has arranged exchange programs in countries around the world. Consult the Laurier International section in the Student Services chapter or their website for extensive program details. Through the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the university offers doctoral and master's degrees. The online Graduate Studies Calendar is available from the Graduate Studies website.

The Undergraduate Admissions chapter provides specifics regarding the application process for qualified applicants to a wide spectrum of undergraduate programs at Laurier. Student Awards outlines numerous options for financial support at Laurier. Current and detailed information is available directly from the Student Awards Office or website. Financial Services categorizes the tuition fee details and procedures. The Student Services chapter details a myriad of services available to students across the campus, including special needs, personal counselling and career services.

University-wide academic regulations, course registration and progression requirements are contained within the University Undergraduate Regulations chapter and concern all undergraduate students.

The academic regulations governing a student's program are those in effect at the time of initial registration at Wilfrid Laurier University, except that when academic regulations change prior to the completion of the program, the student may choose to have the new regulations apply. All course and grade point average regulations of the new program must be followed. A student, who is not registered for a period of 18 consecutive months or more, must follow the regulations that are in effect at the time of re-entry. Consult the University Undergraduate Regulations chapter, or the appropriate academic department for more information regarding these and all other university-wide undergraduate requirements.