Explore the BA General Studies
The BA General Studies is a 15.0 credit program that can be completed by taking any combination of online, in-person courses, or courses are a mix of in-person and online components Carleton University undergraduate courses.
How the Program Works
Students assemble their personalized program of study by selecting two non-Science BA Breadth Areas from the following:
Culture and Communications
This breadth area includes the study of the creative arts, literature, and languages that express and characterize cultures, as well as the ways in which ideas and information are communicated and exchanged. This breadth area includes the following subjects:
Humanities
The humanities focus on the study of the human condition, including the historical events, philosophical ideas, culture, and spiritual beliefs and practices of human beings and societies.
Social Sciences
Disciplines in the social sciences are concerned with the study of human behaviour and society, as well as the systems, structures, institutions, and organizations that influence both.
Your two Breadth Areas are the core of your degree program. You will select at least 3.0 credits from each of the two breadth areas, for a total of 6.0 credits.
The remaining 9.0 credits are Free Electives and may be chosen from any discipline or subject of interest to you.
Secondary Pathways
Example
For students who wish to design an exclusively online program, students can tailor their programs based on available online courses in a variety of ways. Many Carleton departments offer a selection of online courses from the 1000-level to the 3000-level that will enable you meet the degree requirements.
Note that the courses listed may change from year to year. For the most up-to-date list of available online courses, check the Current Online Courses list for the 2025-2026 academic year.
The range of options is much broader for students who wish to combine online with in-person courses.
Additional Information
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A Minor is a set of credits (usually 4.0 to 5.0) in a specific discipline. You may add a Minor to
your degree in a topic of your interest. Credits you take to complete a Minor are included in your electives. A list of programs that offer Minors can be found on the Admissions website. Note that not all courses may be available online. If you are interested in a particular minor, please contact BA General Studies Advising to explore your options. -
Electives are taken in almost any subject or discipline that you are interested in. They enable you to tailor your studies to gain greater breadth in a variety of areas or pursue a specific area.
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GINS 3930/3931 International Internship
This is a one- or two-term, fulltime summer internship that can help you gain real-world
international experience, develop contacts in your field and build your resume to market yourself for future career opportunities. GINS 3930 is half a credit for a 6-week internship, GINS 3931 is a full credit for a 12-week internship, and either is counted toward your elective credits.
BA General Studies students can choose either a virtual or in-person experience to work internationally for academic credit. For virtual internships, students should have achieved second-year standing and a CGPA of 6.5 or higher to be eligible. For in-person internships, students should have third-year standing and a CGPA of 7.0 or higher.
For more information about the program and requirements, check out the GINS 3930/3931
International Internship webpage. -
An international exchange offers you a chance to pursue your studies at one of Carleton’s many partner universities around the world. Students pay tuition to Carleton while on exchange and can transfer credits toward their Carleton degree. You may go on exchange in the Fall, Winter, or Summer terms. To do an exchange, you should have at least 2nd year standing, a CGPA of 7.0 or higher, and enough credits remaining in your degree to study full-time at the partner institution.
Carleton University also offers many other opportunities to gain international experience. These programs are administered by the International Student Services Office (ISSO).
For more information about the program requirements, please consult the Undergraduate Calendar.