The Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations is an integrated, multidisciplinary program of courses that examines employment relations within their social, legal, political, and economic context.
This program is delivered in partnership with Portage College, and the University of Athabasca students will split their classes between Portage and Athabasca University, allowing for online, hyflex, or in-person delivery for Portage College classes. Athabasca Classes are delivered via distance learning.
The program will be of interest to trade unionists, managers, human resource specialists, and individuals interested in better understanding the employment relations of their workplace.
To learn more about this wonderful opportunity, please get in touch with one of our Student Advisors.
Call our Cold Lake Campus at 780-639-7109 or Lac La Biche Campus at 780-623-5577 or book an appointment here.
Career Potential
Graduates of the Bachelor’s of Human Resources and Labour Relations are able to work in Human Resources or continue their studies into a Master’s or PhD.
High School Matriculation: A minimum average of 60% and no mark lower than 50% in the following courses: 1). English Language Arts 30-1 2). Four other 30 Level courses (5 credits each) from the following list:
- Humanities: Social Studies 30-1, a 30-Level language other than English, Aboriginal Studies 30 (5 credits minimum)
- Fine Arts: Art 30, Art 31, Dance 35, Drama 30, Music 30 (10 credits maximum)
- Sciences: Biology 30, Chemistry 30, Science 30, Mathematics 30-1, Mathematics 30-2*, Mathematics 31 (courses may be pre-requisites for particular junior level science or mathematics university courses) *dependent on the program this course may not be accepted by other institutions as entrance requirements or pre-requisites
- Electives: Physical Education 30, World Geography 30, Advanced CTS subjects (5 credits maximum)
Mature Student: 19 years of age or older, out of high school for at least one full year, and a minimum average of 60% with at least 50% in English Language Arts 30-1 and one other five credit Grade 12 course. Open Studies Admission: Successful completion of nine credits. Documents: Complete high school transcripts and post-secondary transcripts, if any work completed at a post-secondary institution Use this chart to check Provincial high school equivalencies accepted at Portage College. Note: This is just a guide. Other: May be required to do an interview with the instructor or coordinator International Student Admission: Based on transcripts, students may need to complete and Grade 12 English proficiency exam and subject area proficiency exams based on the degree stream selection Transferability: Transfer agreements are in place with many different post-secondary institutions across the province and country including the University of Alberta, the University of Calgary, and MacEwan University. Students are encouraged to check out our partnership bachelor programs. Certification: Diploma
Program Start/End Dates
Spring Intake: May 4, 2026 to June 26, 2026
Fall Intake: August 31, 2026 to December 18, 2026
Application Deadlines: (Domestic)
Spring Intake: April 15, 2026
Fall Intake: August 15, 2026
Locations
Cold Lake Campus
Lac La Biche Campus
St. Paul Campus
Delivery
Multi-Access Learning
Domestic Student Fees
Application Fee $53.50
Fall Term
Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2026
| Tuition | $2,724.18 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | $163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Document Fee | $60.00 |
| Total | $3,364.66 |
Winter Term
Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2026
| Tuition | $2,724.18 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Document Fee | $60.00 |
| Total | $3,038.16 |
Part-time Fees
Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $178. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $178.
Spring Term Fee payment deadline: April 21, 2027
Spring tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $178. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $178.
Other mandatory Part-time Spring fees.
| Student Association | $68.95 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $23.54 |
| Document Fee | $60.00 |
| Total | $235.20 |
Tuition Deposit – $100 (non-refundable)
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies
Fee Explanations
Students’ Association Fees
These fees are authorized by student referendum and the Board of Governors. They are collected by the College on behalf of the Students’ Association in accordance with the Post Secondary Learning Act.
Health & Dental Fees
You may opt-out of the Dental and Health Insurance plan if you provide proof of comparable coverage for an extended health and/or dental care benefits plan. Any questions regarding SA Fees including the Health and Dental Insurance fees should be directed to the SA Office 780-623-5609.
Athletics & Recreation Fees
These fees are collected to provide recreation and leisure opportunities that promote students’ physical, social, and emotional well-being, whether online or through in person facilities. Check out your +region in the link, to see what is offered at your campus or online.
Technology Fee
This is a mandatory fee assessed to students enrolling in any credit course (except for apprenticeship programs) at Portage College. The fee supports the on-going maintenance and upgrades to administrative systems that support the entire College infrastructure.
As such, it is considered a “mandatory non-instructional fee” and, therefore, is subject to Alberta Advanced Education Public Post-Secondary Institutions’ Tuition Fees Regulations. Visa students are charged the same rate as Canadian residents for this fee.
Document Fee
The Document Fee will include official transcripts, unofficial transcripts, certificates, diplomas, Confirmation of Enrollments, ID cards, all documents/letters from the Registrar’s office, etc.
Suggested Courses
This course is an introduction to the history of visual arts and design from the earliest evidence to the fourteenth century. The concentration will be on the history of art in the Near East and Europe: Western Art. Since there has been contact between these areas, the Indian sub-continent and the Far East, and these areas have influenced the later history of Western Art, the art of Asian cultures during this period will also be briefly considered. Prerequisites: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
EASC101 introduces students to basic concepts of physical geology. Following an introduction to minerals as the basic building blocks of earth materials, igneous, metamorphic and sedimentary rocks are examined. This is followed by a detailed look at the earth's internal structure and processes that occur within it. Students are acquainted with the theory of plate tectonics as a unifying concept in geology after which crustal tectonics and resulting deformation structures are explored. Earth surface processes are also examined including weathering, mass movement, surface water movement, glaciations, wind action, and desert processes. The final part of the course introduces students to the application of remote sensing and GIS in the earth sciences. Prerequisite: English Language Arts at 60%, and Biology 30 at 60% or Chemistry 30 at 60%
ENGL106, Introduction to Drama and Poetry, introduces students to drama and poetry from a range of historical periods and cultural contexts. Through close reading, discussion, and writing practice, students develop skills in analyzing dramatic structure, poetic form, language, voice, and performance. Attention is given to both historical traditions and contemporary works, including voices that challenge or expand the traditional literary canon. The course emphasizes foundational academic writing, research skills, and critical reading strategies needed for studying literature at the university level. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This course will introduce you to the physical, social, mental, occupational, emotional, environmental and spiritual dimensions of personal health and wellness. These dimensions are described within the context of the Canadian Health Care System and your own individual community. Topics include primary health care, nutrition, exercise, stress management, weight management, eating disorders, common health issues and their prevention. You will be expected to integrate knowledge of the seven dimensions of health and apply this knowledge to a self-analysis of your own health and physical fitness. Finally, you will incorporate change management theory to develop, implement and evaluate a personal wellness plan. The intent of this course is to promote a healthy lifestyle. By examining determinants of health, the current health care system, the seven dimensions of health and applying these concepts to your own lifestyle, you will be better equipped to function as role models and act as change agents for health promotion in your community. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
Math 160 is required for elementary teachers (education majors), critical thinking and problem solving is stressed throughout the course. Conceptual understanding of elementary number theory, set theory, numeration systems and their operations algorithms is the subject of the study; as well as the preparation and presentation of Math Fair. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%, Math 30-2
Surveys the development of art, architecture, and visual culture from the fourteenth century to the present, with attention to major movements, styles, materials, and artists in Europe and beyond. Students learn methods of visual and contextual analysis and explore how artistic traditions develop through cultural exchange, globalization, colonialism, and social change. The course also introduces selected global and Indigenous perspectives, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit art, to broaden understanding of visual expression in historical and contemporary contexts. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This course is designed for both Biology majors and non-majors, and explores the principal lineages of organisms on earth: bacteria and archaea, fungi, protists, plants and animals. The relationships of these organisms to their environment and their influence in shaping that environment are examined. Evolutionary pathways and their influence on the diversity of extinct and extant organisms and the classification schemes that we use to distinguish them are discussed. The role that organisms (including humans) have played in the development and maintenance of major ecosystem processes are also studied. This course includes a lab component. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%, and Biology 30 at 60%
ENGL108, Introduction to the Novel and Short Story, introduces students to novels and short stories from a range of cultural, historical, and linguistic traditions. Students will read and analyze fiction using literary, rhetorical, and contextual approaches, while building skills in academic writing, critical reading, and research. Texts include works from multiple periods and perspectives, with attention to diverse voices including Indigenous, global, and marginalized authors. Students will complete analytical and research-based writing assignments that strengthen their ability to interpret fiction and communicate effectively. Prerequisite: ENGL106 or other 3 credit junior English
HIST102, The Modern World, surveys major global developments from approximately 1800 to the contemporary era, examining how political, economic, social, and cultural forces have shaped the modern- and post-modern eras. Using primary and secondary sources from multiple regions and perspectives, students explore industrialization, imperialism, revolution, world wars, decolonization, global migration, social movements, and changing international relations. Emphasis is placed on understanding diverse experiences, including those of colonized peoples, workers, women, and marginalized communities. Students develop skills in historical analysis, research, and critical reading as they investigate how past events inform current global issues. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This introductory statistics course provides students in a variety of disciplines with basic knowledge regarding the theory and application of statistics. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30 at 60%, and Math 30 at 60%
An introduction to the process of acting and dramatic form through the process of improvisation. This workshop-based course will explore speech and movement improvisation with an emphasis on imaginative development and introduction to the process of acting and to dramatic form. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This course introduces prospective teachers to the complexity of their future professional roles in today’s schools. Students will be encouraged to consider teaching from “the other side of the desk”, and will leave familiar with the intricate framework in which teachers work, and the expectations of various stakeholders. They will gain a knowledge base on which future Education courses will build, and will be introduced to theories of learning and teaching. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
HIST210, Introduction to Canadian History 1500-1867, provides an introductory survey of Canadian history from approximately 1500 to Confederation in 1867. Students examine the diverse societies, economies, and political systems that shaped these territories long before the arrival of Europeans, with attention to First Nations, Inuit, and Métis histories. Key themes include Indigenous–European relations, the fur trade, imperial rivalries, the transformation of New France, British colonial expansion, treaty making, resistance movements, and the emergence of political institutions. Learners will develop foundational historical thinking skills by analyzing primary and secondary sources, questioning how narratives are constructed, and identifying the perspectives and power structures embedded in historical documents. The course emphasizes inclusive and multi-vocal histories, connecting early developments to broader debates about belonging, sovereignty, governance, and nationhood. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This course is designed to introduce students to the discipline of Sociology and current sociological trends and issues. The course provides an overview of sociological concepts, perspectives, processes and institutions in a Canadian context with particular emphasis on various issues impacting Canadian society. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
Introduces students to the histories, cultural landscapes, governance systems, and contemporary experiences of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis across North America. Using Indigenous-led scholarship and critical anthropological approaches, the course examines diverse Nations and language families, relationships to land, kinship systems, spiritual traditions, economies, and political structures. Students analyze the impacts of colonialism, including dispossession, policy, and representation, as well as the resilience, resurgence, and nation-building efforts of Indigenous Peoples today. The course emphasizes respectful engagement with Indigenous knowledge systems, critiques of anthropology’s historical role, and the diversity of Indigenous identities and experiences across time and place. Prerequisite: 100 level ANTH
This course examines the psychology of learning and instruction. The theoretical basis of human development, learning, and teaching will each be explored, providing a comprehensive background to the art of education and effective teaching. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This course explores the study of developmentally appropriate movement activities for children. Students participate in and work with children in a variety of physical activities in recreational, educational and sport environments. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
Introductory Psychology introduces students to the scientific study of behaviour, thought, and mental processes. Students examine the foundations of psychological science, including major historical developments, research methods, brain and nervous system structures, sensation and perception, learning, memory, consciousness, language, and thinking. The course emphasizes critical evaluation of psychological claims, interpretation of empirical evidence, and the application of psychological concepts to real-world situations. Sociocultural, developmental, and ethical perspectives are integrated throughout, including considerations of diversity, cross-cultural research, and the implications of psychological science in everyday life. This course prepares students for further study in psychology and related fields. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%.
Technology Tools for Teaching and Learning will help prepare students to develop and integrate project-based learning skills into the classroom. Students will examine the Information and Communication Technology Outcomes Program of Studies as published by Alberta Learning, and are expected to develop modules that integrate the ICT Outcomes using the Internet, Word Processing, Spreadsheet, Database, and Multimedia application software. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
Term One
This course helps students to develop the academic writing skills they use throughout their university studies. Students learn to identify good writing, and develop needed research, analytical, and organizational skills. Starting with building good sentences and paragraphs, the research essay is the most important genre in this course. By analyzing, summarizing, synthesizing, and critiquing a variety of texts, students learn how to develop their own analyses and arguments with appropriate and correctly documented primary and secondary sources. Readings by or about indigenous and minority peoples form no less than 50% of the readings in this course. A review of grammar and sentence structure is a key component of this course. Students are advised to choose a research topic in line with their career goals. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This unique, optional course provides students the opportunity to put classroom learning into practice in a 100-hour work experience. Students can apply their academic knowledge and skills to meaningful experiences in the workplace within their field of study and/or their career goals. This course involves 30 hours of employment training activities prior to entering the 100-hour placement. Students are responsible for securing an approved work-experience placement; the work experience is monitored and evaluated by the employer.
HIST211, Introduction to Canadian History, 1867 to Present, provides an introductory survey of the histories of the lands now called Canada from Confederation (1867) to the present. Students examine major political, economic, social, and cultural developments including nation building, industrialization, urbanization, immigration, war, state expansion, and shifting identities. Throughout, the course centers First Nations, Inuit, and Métis experiences of Confederation and its aftermath, including treaty relationships, the Scrip and Pass systems, Residential Schools, land and resource struggles, and modern movements of resurgence and sovereignty. The course also foregrounds multicultural and gendered histories, exploring the experiences of racialized and marginalized communities, labour and class change, and debates about rights, citizenship, and belonging. Students practice historical thinking by working with primary and secondary sources, identifying perspective and power, and engaging with key historiographical debates. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
ENGL108, Introduction to the Novel and Short Story, introduces students to novels and short stories from a range of cultural, historical, and linguistic traditions. Students will read and analyze fiction using literary, rhetorical, and contextual approaches, while building skills in academic writing, critical reading, and research. Texts include works from multiple periods and perspectives, with attention to diverse voices including Indigenous, global, and marginalized authors. Students will complete analytical and research-based writing assignments that strengthen their ability to interpret fiction and communicate effectively. Prerequisite: ENGL106 or other 3 credit junior English
SOCI225, Criminology, introduces students to the sociological study of crime, criminalization, and the systems that respond to law violations. Students examine major theoretical perspectives in criminology, including classical, positivist, strain, social control, conflict, feminist, critical, and Indigenous approaches. The course explores how crime is defined and measured, how social structures shape criminal behaviour, and how institutions such as policing, courts, and corrections function within society. Contemporary issues, such as white-collar crime, organized crime, cybercrime, terrorism, victimization, and the overrepresentation of Indigenous peoples in the Canadian justice system, are analyzed using sociological evidence. The course emphasizes the role of power, inequality, and social context in shaping both crime and responses to crime. Prerequisite: SOCI101
This course provides an in-depth study of the structures of the human body and their interrelationships using a systems approach. The correlations between structure (anatomy) and function (physiology) are examined. Major topics include body organization, the integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous, respiratory, cardiovascular, lymphatic, digestive, endocrine, urinary, and reproductive systems, the general and special senses, and human development. This course is designed to prepare students in medical fields of study for advanced courses in their respective fields, as well as other university transfer students. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%, Biology 30 at 60%
Exceptional communication skills are vital to success in business. In this course, students will learn to apply effective business writing techniques and strategies. These include critical thinking, problem determination, scholarly research, and proper documentation. Students will produce a formal, informational research report and deliver an engaging oral presentation based on their report. Students will use business productivity software to create professional reports and presentations. Note: Students taking a reduced course load should take this course as one of their first courses. The concepts and skills you will learn in this course are required in all of your other business courses. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-2
Term Two
Surveys the development of art, architecture, and visual culture from the fourteenth century to the present, with attention to major movements, styles, materials, and artists in Europe and beyond. Students learn methods of visual and contextual analysis and explore how artistic traditions develop through cultural exchange, globalization, colonialism, and social change. The course also introduces selected global and Indigenous perspectives, including First Nations, Métis, and Inuit art, to broaden understanding of visual expression in historical and contemporary contexts. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This introductory statistics course provides students in a variety of disciplines with basic knowledge regarding the theory and application of statistics. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30 at 60%, and Math 30 at 60%
This course is designed to provide students with knowledge of the fundamental principles and concepts of business mathematics and to develop their abilities to apply these principles and concepts to solve practical business problems, particularly in marketing and finance. This course includes a lab component to analyze business math problems with spreadsheets. Prerequisites: Math 30-2
This course provides students the opportunity to further their work experience and continue to develop skills established in the classroom and in their initial practicum. Students apply their academic knowledge and skills to meaningful experiences in the workplace within their field of study and/or their career goals. In a 130-hour work placement, students identify the skills in INTD205 that require additional practice and develop new practical skills to build their repertoire. Students are responsible for securing an approved work-experience placement; the work experience is monitored and evaluated by the employer. Pre/Corequisites:INTD205 and a minimum GPA of 2.5 (prior to enrolment), and permission from the Coordinator or designate
French 102 is the second semester of an introductory French program which focuses on the French language and Francophone cultures throughout the world. This course is designed to facilitate the further development of your communication skills in French and to give you a balance of all four language skills: reading, writing, speaking, and listening. By the end of the semester, you will be able to initiate and sustain interactions in French, understand the main ideas of what you hear, see, and read in French, and express yourself clearly in written French. In addition to acquiring intermediate-level grammatical and linguistic knowledge, you will also gain a deeper understanding of diverse aspects of French-speaking cultures. Prerequisite: FREN101
This course is an interdisciplinary introduction to the study of women and issues important to women. This course is a prerequisite for other women’s studies classes and will provide you with the theoretical foundations necessary for understanding women’s issues. The concept of gender will be explored as a critical category in relation to race, ethnicity, sexuality, class, and culture. Social institutions such as education, family, work, health, sexuality, religion, and politics will be explored through the course readings, presentations and in-class discussions. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
This course presents legal topics relevant to business, including ways to manage common legal risks. An introduction to the Canadian legal system presents sources of law, the court system, the litigation process, and alternatives to litigation. Tort law includes a study of intentional torts, business torts, negligence, and professional liability. Insurance law covers basic concepts of the insurance industry and how to manage risks in business. Forms of business organizations are delineated, focusing on the rights and responsibilities of individuals involved in sole proprietorships, partnerships, and corporations.Contract law details how contracts are created, the elements of a binding contract, common contractual issues and defects, how contracts are discharged and contractual remedies. An overview of the Sale of Goods Act will complete the study of contracts. Employment law describes the employer/employee relationship, the rights and duties of the parties involved, and common issues that may arise in the employment relationship. Intellectual property law discusses how businesses can generate value from ideas and the laws that seek to balance competing business interests. Secured transactions look at risk assessment and legal obligations of creditors when securing debt and practices developed in the marketplace to manage that risk through security interests and guarantees. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-2 or COMM121
This is an introductory course covering the fundamental principles and concepts of marketing. Major emphasis is placed on the marketing mix and its strategic application to an increasingly complex business environment. In particular, the areas of product, promotion, price, and distribution are examined as they relate to the achievement of company objectives. Prerequisite: English Language Arts 30-2 or COMM121
Business Communications II reviews and extends skills in using standard English principles, including grammar, punctuation, vocabulary and spelling. Proofreading and editing for common usage and formatting errors in a variety of business documents are emphasized. Writing skills are introduced and applied to memos, letters, and other common business documents. Oral communication and presentations is also covered. Prerequisite: COMM123