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 email Portage College Student Advisor
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
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 Deadlines: (Domestic)
Winter Intake: December 15, 2025
Spring Intake: April 15, 2026
Fall Intake: August 15, 2026
Locations
Cold Lake Campus
Lac La Biche Campus
St. Paul Campus
Domestic Student Fees Application Fee $53.50 Tuition Deposit – $100 (non-refundable for oversubscribed programs) Fall Term Fee payment deadline: August 15, 2025
| Tuition | $2,594.46 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Dental Insurance Fee | 163.25 |
| Health Insurance Fee | 163.25 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $3,174.94 |
Part-time Fees Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170. Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies Winter Term Fee payment deadline: December 15, 2025
| Tuition | $2,594.46 |
| Student Association | $116.70 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $54.57 |
| Total | $2,848.44 |
Part-time Fees Tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170. Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies Spring Term Fee payment deadline: April 21, 2024 Spring tuition is calculated using “cost-per-credit” one credit is $170. Calculate the cost by multiplying the number of credits per course by $170. Other mandatory fees per semester
| Student Association | $68.95 |
| Technology Fee | $82.71 |
| Recreation Fee | $23.54 |
| Total | $175.20 |
Visit Portage Bookstore for textbooks and supplies Need help funding your education? Check out our funding options.
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.
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: 60% in ELA 30-1
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: Completion of first-year NRT or 60% in ELA 30-1 and BIO 30 or CHEM 30
English 106 is designed to teach critical writing, critical reading, and critical thinking while studying canonical literary texts from the sixteenth to the twenty-first centuries. This course combines the study of literary works with instructional texts to teach students to express themselves more clearly in writing and in speech. The creators of this course also hope that students develop an appreciation for fine literary works. This course will present plays and poems from a variety of historical periods and from a variety of cultural contexts. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of correct writing style, rhetorical skills, and thinking skills required for academic study. A minimum of thirty percent of class time will be devoted to writing instruction, which may take any or all of the following forms: grammar and punctuation instruction, informal writing exercises, writing workshops, stylistic and rhetorical analysis, research skills, peer editing, and group writing projects. The total amount of writing will be no less than 3,000 words. Prerequisite: 60% in ELA 30-1
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 60% in ELA 30-1
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. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1 and Math 30
This course introduces the history of visual arts and design from the 14th Century to the present day. While the course can be taken by itself, it also builds on the knowledge gained from ARTH 101, which covers the history of visual arts and design from the earliest times up to the 14th century. Starting from a period considered to be the origin of our modern age, ARTH 102 follows the development of visual arts to the types of art, design, and architecture found in our contemporary world.
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. PREREQUISITES: 60% in ELA 30-1 and 60% in BIO 30
English 108 is designed to teach critical writing, critical reading, and critical thinking while studying canonical literary texts from the eighteenth to the twentieth-first centuries. This course combines the study of literary works with instructional texts to teach students to express themselves more clearly in writing and in speech. The creators of this course also hope that students develop an appreciation for fine literary works. This course will present novels and short stories from a variety of historical periods, and from a variety of cultural contexts. Particular emphasis will be place of the development of correct writing style, rhetorical skills, and thinking skills required for academic study. A minimum of thirty percent of class time will be devoted to writing instruction, which may take any or all of the following forms: formal written assignments, informal writing exercises, writing workshops, stylistic and rhetorical analysis, research skills, peer editing, group writing projects, and ungraded writing. Students will write two formal essays that will be graded, including an analytical and a research paper. The total amount of writing will be no less than 3,000 words.
History 102 is intended to introduce students both to the content of modern world history and to the study of history at the university level. In content, the course traces the development of the modern world since around 1800. As with any history, the focus of the classes and readings is selective; we cannot hope to cover every society and nation in equal depth, but must attempt to negotiate a balance between specific historical detail and broad themes. In the process, students will be expected to develop and utilise skills needed for history as an academic discipline, such as the ability to remember when things happened and how they fit together, the ability to read historical texts carefully and to ask questions of those texts, and the ability to express themselves clearly and coherently in writing. Ideally, students should come away from this course not simply knowing “facts,” but equipped to think historically about the world in which we live, and armed with skills of critical analysis and expression that they will find applicable to many areas of endeavour aside from history. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
This introductory statistics course provides students in a variety of disciplines with basic knowledge regarding the theory and application of statistics. Prerequisites: 50% in MATH 30-1 or Math 30-2 at 60% and 60% in ELA 30-1
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: 60% in ELA 30-1
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: 60% in ELA 30-1
This course introduces the sonnet as a poetic genre. Students will learn how to read and write about poetry by way of exploring the sonnet's variable forms and its subject matters. The genre is used to profess romantic love as well as explore matters of philosophical perplexity like loss of religious faith or the transcending power of the written word. The sonnet comes in regular as well as irregular forms. The course will trace the evolution of the sonnet from its introduction into English by the courtier poets through to its presence in modern times. Exploration of the Petrarchan/Italian and English/Shakespearean sonnet forms shows the evolution of the sonnet's subject matter from complex expression of romantic love, to inspirational love for the divine, and commentary on poetic expression itself. The sonnet also functions as a cultural mirror revealing social attitudes to female body image, gender politics, engagement with both the sacred and profane, as well as a means for broader social criticism. Prerequisites: ENGL 106 and ENGL 108
This course will provide an introductory survey of Canadian history from roughly 1500 to 1867. Some of the major themes to be discussed will include: Aboriginal-European contact; the fur trade; New France; and the expansion of white settlements. In addition, key concepts and methods of history as a discipline will be reviewed. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
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. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
This course provides an introduction to the study of the history, cultures, and present concerns of Aboriginal peoples in North America from an anthropological perspective, with a focus on First Nations in Canada. Traditional lifeways and contemporary issues will be discussed through the examination of different culture areas across the continent. PREREQUISITE: 100 level Anthropology
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: 60% in ELA 30-1
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: 60% in ELA 30-1.
This course is a prerequisite to other psychology courses at Portage College. This Introductory psychology course is intended to inspire an interest in, and an appreciation for, the field of psychology. Topics in this course include 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. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
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: 60% in ELA 30-1
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 60% in ELA 30-1
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.
Within the conceptual framework of accounting, including Generally Accepted Accounting Principles, students are introduced to the accounting equation and the effect various transactions have on it. An introduction to ledgers, journalizing transactions, trial balance, income statement and balance sheet are presented. The accounting cycle, accounting for merchandise operations, internal control, accounts receivable, accounts payable, cash control, and the valuation of inventories are examined. Prerequisites: Math 30-2
This course will provide an introductory survey of Canadian history from 1867 to the present. Among the major themes discussed will be nationalism, industrialization, urbanization, and cultural change. In addition, key concepts and methods of history as a discipline will be reviewed. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
English 108 is designed to teach critical writing, critical reading, and critical thinking while studying canonical literary texts from the eighteenth to the twentieth-first centuries. This course combines the study of literary works with instructional texts to teach students to express themselves more clearly in writing and in speech. The creators of this course also hope that students develop an appreciation for fine literary works. This course will present novels and short stories from a variety of historical periods, and from a variety of cultural contexts. Particular emphasis will be place of the development of correct writing style, rhetorical skills, and thinking skills required for academic study. A minimum of thirty percent of class time will be devoted to writing instruction, which may take any or all of the following forms: formal written assignments, informal writing exercises, writing workshops, stylistic and rhetorical analysis, research skills, peer editing, group writing projects, and ungraded writing. Students will write two formal essays that will be graded, including an analytical and a research paper. The total amount of writing will be no less than 3,000 words.
This course will use innovative and exciting methods to allow students to explore the sociological perspective of the aging process of the individual and of the population. It presents aging as a normal life process with the goal of maximizing the life potential of people at all ages. Students will gain a better understanding and appreciation of the social impact of aging in a variety of contexts, mainly focusing on Canadian society. The biological, psychological, and social aspects of aging are explored in addition to the pros and cons of social programs and policies in Canada. The relationship of aging with our economy, health care system, and social programs will be examined in different contexts. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
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. Pre/Corequisite 60% in ELA 30-1, BIO 30, BIOL231
This course provides a general introduction to anthropology through the study of central concepts and key issues in each of the four fields of anthropology: biological, cultural, and linguistic anthropology as well as archaeology. Human variation, both physical and cultural, will be examined in the context of adaptation and change. Prerequisite: 60% in ELA 30-1
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.
Term Two
This course will provide an introductory survey of American history since 1865. The main political, economic, and social aspects of American life during this period will be examined. Among the major themes discussed will be race relations, industrialization, urbanization, and U. S. foreign policy. When combined with History 250 this course will provide a complete survey of U. S. history and a basis for future study in the area. Prerequisites: HIST 101 or HIST 102
Capital assets are discussed with reference to recording acquisition cost, amortization, exchanges and disposal. Short-term and long-term liabilities, partnerships, corporations, share capital, and the statement of cash flows/cash flow analysis are introduced and examined individually. Generally Accepted Accounting Principles are examined through-out the course, as they relate to the specific subject areas. As a final integration, the student will study the analysis of financial statements.Prerequisite – ACCT 106
This course introduces the history of visual arts and design from the 14th Century to the present day. While the course can be taken by itself, it also builds on the knowledge gained from ARTH 101, which covers the history of visual arts and design from the earliest times up to the 14th century. Starting from a period considered to be the origin of our modern age, ARTH 102 follows the development of visual arts to the types of art, design, and architecture found in our contemporary world.
This introductory statistics course provides students in a variety of disciplines with basic knowledge regarding the theory and application of statistics. Prerequisites: 50% in MATH 30-1 or Math 30-2 at 60% and 60% in ELA 30-1
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. Prerequisites: FREN 101
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. Prerequisites: 60% in ELA 30-1
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.
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. Prerequisites: ELA 30-1, ELA 30-2, or English 33 or COMM 121
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 – COMM 123