Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies 

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This four-year Bachelor’s program is in partnership with Red Deer Polytechnic. This program provides students the opportunity to transfer from Portage College to Red Deer Polytechnic with a block transfer or 60 credits into year 3 of the program. It is not required that every incoming student complete all 200-level PSYC courses listed below. Other pathways are possible. Students wishing to continue to Red Deer Polytechnic with need at least ENGL 102, PSYC 104, PSYC 105, and STAT 141.

Students wishing to take this program need to apply to Portage Colleges University Transfer program first.

Please get in touch with one of our Student Advisors to learn more about this wonderful opportunity. 

Call our Cold Lake Campus at 780-639-7109 or Lac La Biche Campus at 780-623-5577 or email Portage College Student Advisor.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Arts in Multidisciplinary Studies are able to work in related careers such as Social Services, Community Advocacy and Development, Local Government/Civil Services, Administration/Management, Criminal Justice, Analysts/Research Consultants, or Program Coordinator.

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’s programs.

 

Program Start/End Dates
Winter Intake: January 5, 2026 to May 1, 2026
Spring Intake: May 4, 2026 to June 26, 2026
Fall Intake: August 31, 2026 to December 18, 2026

Application Deadline (Domestic)
Winter Term: December 15, 2025
Spring Term: April 15, 2026

Locations
Cold Lake Campus
Lac La Biche Campus
St. Paul Campus

Delivery
Hybrid Learning

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Suggested Courses

This course provides an introduction to the study of the history, cultures, and present concerns of the Indigenous peoples across North America from an anthropological perspective, with a focus on nations in Canada. Traditional lifeways and contemporary issues will be discussed through the examination of different culture areas across the continent. Pre/Corequisite: 100 level Anthropology or enrolled in CSW program.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

Introductory Cree Part One provides instruction at the introductory level. Students will learn basic Plains Cree conversational skills. This course is designed to focus on speaking and listening skills. Students will learn conversational skills through online instruction, group activities and project work. According to language learning experts, people can learn 3-5 words in one session. The goal of this course is to expand vocabulary and increase the student's fluency in spoken Plains Cree. These skills need to be practiced outside the classroom as part of our role in language revitalization. Context is key to Cree language learning, meaning that a story or real life application is necessary to motivate the lessons. Situations at home, school or community will be used to engage learners. Cree culture and protocol will be discussed to enhance the accurate use of particular Cree words during a dialogue. This course will prepare students for Intermediate levels of Cree language study at the university level. Pre/Corequisite: Must meet program entry.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

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. Pre/Corequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

History 368 is a lecture and seminar course that examines the history of the indigenous peoples of Canada prior to and at the moment of first contact with European peoples. In order to gain a full perspective of this critical time period in the North American history, students examine a variety of oral and written documents produced by First Nations, Métis, Aboriginal, and Inuit peoples as well as European explorers, traders and settlers. A combination of lectures and seminar groups are used to examine the early relationship between existing native cultures and their later responses to European exploration and trade. The textbook readings and related articles will acquaint students not only with the indigenous history, but also with the different methodological approaches used by academics. A minimum of thirty percent of class time will be devoted to discussion of archival evidence (oral history, local history, family history, journals, records, letters, and so on), which may take any or all of the following forms: online discussion forums, in-class group discussion, and critical response essays. Pre/Corequisite: A minimum of 3 credits of 100- or 200- level history are required, preferably one of HIST 210 or 211. ANTH 250 is also acceptable. Other equivalencies may be considered.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course provides an overview of a variety of abnormal behaviours that are psychologically oriented. The characteristics and observable symptoms of psychological disorders are studied including various theoretical orientations, treatment methods, cultural, age and gender differences, and various factors related to the incidence of mental disorders. The learning in this course adds to the knowledge students acquired in Introductory Psychology and, for CSW students, Developmental Psychology. Pre/Corequisite: CSW students: PSYC 104 and PSYC 202 or consent of coordinator University students: PSYC 104 and 105 or consent of coordinator.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

The purpose of the course is to introduce students to the area of biological psychology. Its focus is on the scientific study of the biological bases of human and animal behaviour with a biological approach to the study of psychology. Topics that will be covered in this course include: evolution, neuroanatomy and neurophysiology – the study of the structure and functions and activities of the nervous system, neuropharmacology, the study of the effects of drugs on neural activity, the physiological mechanisms involved in sensation, perception, movement, motivation, emotion, learning, and communication.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This Introductory psychology course is intended to inspire an interest in, and an appreciation for, the field of psychology. Topics in this course includes: the history of psychological science, psychological research methods, the structure and function of the brain and nervous system, learning, sensation, perception, memory, consciousness, thought and language. Pre/Corequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course is the second half of the Introductory Psychology course sequence. It will cover such topics as human intellect, human development from birth to old age, motivation, emotion, personality, social psychological processes, stress and health, as well as mental disorders and their treatments. This course is an overview of these diverse topics, most of which can be studied in one or more complete courses. Pre/Corequisite: PSYC 104.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This course involves an introduction to the primary perspectives of personality development, the theories and theorists, and their supporting research. The major perspectives which will be studied include: psychoanalytic, neoanalytic, phenomenological, learning, cognitive, dispositional, and biological. A number of alternative theories within these perspectives will also be examined and compared. The concepts of personality development emerging from psychological research and theory will be emphasized. Pre/Corequisite: PSYC 104.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

Social Psychology is the scientific study of the way people’s thoughts, feelings, and behaviours are influenced by the real or imagined presence of other people. This course examines the predominant theories and research on individuals in a social context. Specific topics that are discussed include: understanding ourselves in relation to our social world, the self-concept, impression formation and management, attitudes and attitude change, interpersonal attraction, altruism, aggression, conformity, group dynamics, prejudice, and social psychology’s role in health, the environment, and the law. Pre/Corequisite: PSYC 104.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

This introductory statistics course provides students in a variety of disciplines basic knowledge regarding the theory and application of statistics. Pre/Corequisite: English Language Arts 30 at 60% and Math 30 at 60%.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

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. Pre/Corequisite: English Language Arts 30-1 at 60%.
Hours: 45
Credits: 3

Students are able to choose two Humanities or Social Sciences Courses. Students are encouraged to meet with a student advisor to discuss their options.

Students are able to choose five Open Elective Courses. Students are encouraged to meet with a student advisor to discuss their options.

Students are able to choose one Wellness Course. Students are encouraged to meet with a student advisor to discuss their options.

Students are able to choose two Sciences Course, this could include BIOL, CHEM, MATH. Students are encouraged to meet with a student advisor to discuss their options.