This section presents the requirements for programs in:

• Political Science B.A. Honours
• Political Science B.A. Combined Honours
• Political Science B.A.
• Concentration in Canadian Politics and Public Policy
• Concentration in International Relations and World Politics
• Concentration in Power and Political Ideas
• Specialization in Global Politics B.G.In.S. Honours
• Stream in Global Politics B.G.In.S.
• Minor in Political Science
• Washington Center Internship Program

B.A. Regulations

The regulations presented below apply to all Bachelor of Arts programs. In addition to the requirements presented here, students must satisfy the University regulations common to all undergraduate students including the process of Academic Continuation Evaluation (consult the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar).

First-Year Seminars

B.A. degree students are strongly encouraged to include a First-Year Seminar (FYSM) during their first 4.0 credits of registration. Students are limited to 1.0 credit in FYSM and can only register in a FYSM while they have first-year standing in their B.A. program. 

Breadth Requirement

Among the credits presented at graduation, students in both the B.A. and the B.A. Honours degrees and B.Co.M.S. are required to include 3.0 breadth credits, which must include 1.0 credit in three of the four breadth areas identified below. Credits that fulfil requirements in the Major, Minor, Concentration, Specialization, or Stream may also be used to fulfil the Breadth Requirement.

Students admitted with a completed university degree are exempt from breadth requirements.

Students in the following interdisciplinary programs are exempt from the B.A. breadth requirement.

• African Studies
• Criminology and Criminal Justice
• Environmental Studies
• Human Rights
• Human Rights and Social Justice

Breadth Area 1: Culture and Communication

American Sign Language, Art History, Art and Culture, Communication and Media Studies, Digital Humanities, English, Film Studies, French, Journalism, Media Production and Design, Music, and Languages (Arabic, English as a Second Language, German, Greek, Hebrew, Indigenous Languages, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Latin, Mandarin, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish)

Subject codes: ARAB, ARTH, ASLA, CHIN, COMS, DIGH, ENGL, ESLA, FILM, FINS, FREN, GERM, GREK, HEBR, ITAL, JAPA, JOUR, KORE, LANG, LATN, MPAD, MUSI, PORT, RUSS, SPAN

Breadth Area 2: Humanities

African Studies, Applied Linguistics and Discourse Studies, Archaeology, Canadian Studies, Child Studies, Classical Civilization, Critical Race Studies, Directed Interdisciplinary Studies, Disability Studies, Environmental and Climate Humanities, European and Russian Studies, History, Human Rights and Social Justice, Humanities, Indigenous Studies, Latin American and Caribbean Studies, Linguistics, Medieval and Early Modern Studies, Philosophy, Religion, Sexuality Studies, South Asian Studies, and Women's and Gender Studies.

Subject codes: AFRI, ALDS, ARCY, CDNS, CHST, CLCV, CRST, DBST, DIST, EACH, EURR, HIST, HRSJ, HUMR, HUMS, INDG, LACS, LING, MEMS, PHIL, RELI, SAST, SXST, WGST

Breadth Area 3: Science, Engineering, and Design

Architecture, Biology, Chemistry, Computer Science, Data Science, Earth Sciences, Engineering, Environmental Science, Food Science and Nutrition, Health Sciences, Industrial Design, Information Resource Management, Information Technology (BIT), Information Technology (ITEC), Interactive Multimedia and Design, Interdisciplinary Science and Practice, Mathematics, Neuroscience, Network Technology, Nursing, Optical Systems and Sensors, Photonics, Statistics, Physics, and Technology, Society, Environment.

Subject codes: ACSE, AERO, ARCC, ARCH, ARCN, ARCS, ARCU, BIOC, BIOL, BIT, CHEM, CIVE, COMP, CSEC, DATA, ECOR, ELEC, ENSC, ENVE, ERTH, FOOD, HLTH, IDES, IMD, IRM, ISAP, ISCI, ISCS, ISYS, ITEC, MAAE, MATH, MECH, MECT, NET, NEUR, NSCI, NURS, OSS, PHYS, PLT, SREE, STAT, SYSC, TSES

Breadth Area 4: Social Sciences

Anthropology, Business, Cognitive Science, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Economics, Environmental Studies, Geography, Geomatics, Global and International Studies, Global Politics, Interdisciplinary Public Affairs, International Affairs, Law, Migration and Diaspora Studies, Political Management, Political Science, Psychology, Public Administration, Public Affairs and Policy Management, Social Work, Sociology/Anthropology, Sociology

Subject codes: ANTH, BUSI, CGSC, CRCJ, ECON, ENST, GEOG, GEOM, GINS, GPOL, INAF, IPAF, LAWS, MGDS, PADM, PAPM, POLM, PSCI, PSYC, SOCI, SOWK

Declared and Undeclared Students

Degree students are considered "Undeclared" if they have been admitted to a degree, but have not yet selected and been accepted into a program within that degree. The status "Undeclared" is available only in the B.A. and B.Sc. degrees. Undeclared students must apply to enter a program upon or before completing 3.5 credits.

Change of Program Within the B.A. Degree

To transfer to a program within the B.A. degree, applicants must normally be Eligible to Continue (EC) in the new program, by meeting the CGPA thresholds described in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University. 

Applications to declare or change programs within the B.A. degree online must be made online through Carleton Central by completing a Change of Program Elements (COPE) application form within the published deadlines. Acceptance into a program, or into a program element or option, is subject to any enrollment limitations, as well as specific program, program element, or option requirements as published in the relevant Calendar entry.

Minors, Concentrations, and Specializations

Students may add a Minor, Concentration, or Specialization by completing a Change of Program Elements (COPE) application form online through Carleton Central. Acceptance into a Minor, Concentration, or Specialization normally requires that the student be Eligible to Continue (EC) and is subject to any specific requirements of the intended Minor, Concentration, or Specialization as published in the relevant Calendar entry and in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University.

Mention : français

Students registered in certain B.A. programs may earn the diploma notation Mention : français by completing part of their program requirements in French, and by demonstrating knowledge of the history and culture of French Canada. The general requirements are listed below. For more specific details, consult the departmental program entries.

Students in a B.A. Honours program must present:

1. 1.0 credit in French language;
2. 1.0 credit devoted to the history and culture of French Canada;
3. 1.0 credit at the 2000- or 3000-level in the Honours discipline taken in French; and
4. 1.0 credit at the 4000-level in the Honours discipline taken in French.

Students in a B.A. program must present:

1. 1.0 credit in advanced French;
2. 1.0 credit devoted to the history and culture of French Canada;
3. 1.0 credit at the 2000- or 3000-level in the Major discipline taken in French.

Students in Combined Honours programs must fulfil the Mention : français requirement in both disciplines.

Courses taught in French (Items 3 and 4, above) may be taken at Carleton, at the University of Ottawa on the Exchange Agreement, or at a francophone university on a Letter of Permission. Students planning to take courses on exchange or on a Letter of Permission should take careful note of the residence requirement for a minimum number of Carleton courses in their programs. Consult the Academic Regulations of the University section of this Calendar for information regarding study on exchange or Letter of Permission.

Co-operative Education

For more information about how to apply for the Co-op program and how the Co-op program works please visit the Co-op website.

All students participating in the Co-op program are governed by the Undergraduate Co-operative Education Policy.

Undergraduate Co-operative Education Policy

Admission Requirements

Students can apply to Co-op in one of two ways: directly from high school, or after beginning a degree program at Carleton.

If a student applies to a degree program with a Co-op option from high school, their university grades will be reviewed two terms to one year prior to their first work term to ensure they meet the academic requirements after their first or second year of study. The time at which the evaluation takes place depends on the program of study. Students will automatically receive an admission decision via their Carleton email account.

Students who did not request Co-op at the time they applied to Carleton can request Co-op after they begin their university studies. To view application instructions and deadlines, please visit carleton.ca/co-op.

To be admitted to Co-op, a student must successfully complete 5.0 or more credits that count towards their degree, meet the minimum CGPA requirement(s) for the student's Co-op option, and fulfil any specified course prerequisites. To see the unique admission and continuation requirements for each Co-op option, please refer to the specific degree programs listed in the Undergraduate Calendar. 

Participation Requirements

Co-op Participation Agreement

All students must adhere to the policies found within the Co-op Participation Agreement.

COOP 1000

Once a student has been admitted to the Co-op Program, they will be given access to register in COOP 1000. This zero-credit online course must be completed at least two terms prior to the student's first work term.

Communication with the Co-op Office

Students must maintain contact with the Co-op Office during their job search and while on a work term. All email communication will be conducted via the students' Carleton email account.

Employment

Although every effort is made to ensure a sufficient number of job postings for all Co-op students, no guarantee of employment can be made. The Co-op job search process is competitive, and success is dependent upon factors such as current market conditions, academic performance, skills, motivation, and level of commitment to the job search. It is the student's responsibility to apply for positions via the Co-op job board in addition to actively conducting a self-directed job search. Students who do not obtain a co-op work term are expected to continue with their academic studies. It should be noted that hiring priority for positions within the Federal Government of Canada is given to Canadian citizens.

Registration

• Students must be registered as full-time during all fall and winter study terms beginning the term in which they enroll in COOP 1000.
• Students will be registered in a Co-op Work Term course while at work. This course does not carry academic course credit, but is noted on academic transcripts.
• Students may register in a 0.5 credit during a work term, provided the course is offered during the evening or is offered asynchronously online.
• Students must have at least one term of full-time studies left to complete following their final co-op work term. Students cannot end their degree on a work term.

Work Term Assessment and Evaluation

Work Term Evaluation

Employers are responsible for submitting to Carleton University final performance evaluations for their Co-op students at the end of their work terms.

Work Term Assessment

In order to successfully complete the co-op work term, students must receive a Satisfactory (SAT) grade on their Co-op Work Term Report, which they must submit at the completion of each four-month work term.

Graduation with the Co-op Designation

In order to graduate with the Co-op Designation, students must satisfy all requirements of the degree program in addition to the successful completion of three or four work terms (the number is dependent upon the student's academic program). Students found in violation of the Co-op Participation Agreement may have the Co-op Designation withheld.

Note: Participation in the co-op option will add up to one additional year for a student to complete their degree program.

Voluntary Withdrawal from the Co-op Option

Students who are currently on a co-op work term or who have already committed to a co-op work term either verbally or in writing may not leave the position and/or withdraw from the co-op option until they have completed the work term and all related requirements.

Involuntary or Required Withdrawal from the Co-op Option

Students may be removed from the Co-op Program for any of the following reasons:

1. Failure to achieve a grade of SAT in COOP 1000;
2. Failure to attend all interviews for positions to which the student has applied;
3. Declining more than one job offer during the job search;
4. Reneging on a co-op position that the student has accepted either verbally or in writing;
5. Continuing a job search after accepting a co-op position;
6. Dismissal from a work term by the co-op employer;
7. Leaving a work term without approval from the Co-op Management Team;
8. Receipt of an unsatisfactory work term evaluation;
9. Receiving a grade of UNS on the work term report.

International Students

All international students are required to possess a Co-op Work Permit issued by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada before they can begin working. The Co-operative Education Office will provide students with a letter of support to accompany their Co-op Work Permit application. Students are advised to discuss the application process and application requirements with the International Student Services Office.

Co-op Fees

All participating Co-op students are required to pay Co-op fees. For full details, please see the Co-op website.

B.A. Honours Political Science: Co-op Admission and Continuation Requirements

• Maintain full-time status in each study term;
• Be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work);
• Have successfully completed COOP 1000 .

In addition to the following:

1. Registered as a full-time student in the B.A. Honours Political Science program;
2. Successfully completed 5.0 or more credits;
3. Obtained an Overall CGPA of at least 9.00. This CGPA must be maintained throughout the duration of the degree.

B.A. Honours Political Science students must successfully complete three (3) work terms to obtain the Co-op Designation.

Co-op Work Term course: PSCI 3999
Work/Study Pattern:

Legend
S: Study
W: Work

Admissions Information

Admission Requirements are for the 2025-26 year only, and are based on the Ontario High School System. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration. The cut-off averages for admission may be considerably higher than the minimum. See also the General Admission and Procedures section of this Calendar. An overall average of at least 70% is normally required to be considered for admission. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program by program basis. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.

Note: Courses listed as recommended are not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Admissions Information

Admission requirements are based on the Ontario High School System. Prospective students can view the admission requirements through the Admissions website at admissions.carleton.ca. The overall average required for admission is determined each year on a program-by-program basis. Holding the minimum admission requirements only establishes eligibility for consideration; higher averages are required for admission to programs for which the demand for places by qualified applicants exceeds the number of places available. All programs have limited enrolment and admission is not guaranteed. Some programs may also require specific course prerequisites and prerequisite averages and/or supplementary admission portfolios. Consult admissions.carleton.ca for further details.

Note: If a course is listed as recommended, it is not mandatory for admission. Students who do not follow the recommendations will not be disadvantaged in the admission process.

Admission Requirements

Degrees

• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) (Honours)
• Bachelor of Arts (B.A.)

First Year

For B.A. and B.A. (Honours)
The Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent including a minimum of six 4U or M courses. The six 4U or M courses must include a 4U course in English (or anglais). Applicants submitting an English language test to satisfy the requirements of the English Language Proficiency section of this Calendar may use that test to also satisfy the 4U English prerequisite requirement.

Biology
For the major in Biology in the B.A. program, in addition to the 4U English, a 4U course in Chemistry is required. Advanced Functions, and Calculus and Vectors are recommended.

Criminology and Criminal Justice
Access to the CCJ B.A. degree is limited to students already registered in the CCJ B.A. Honours who apply to transfer, and to graduates of the Algonquin College Police Foundations program.

Advanced Standing

Applications for admission beyond first year will be assessed on their merits. Applicants must normally be Eligible to Continue in their year level, in addition to meeting the CGPA thresholds described in Section 3.1.9 of the Academic Regulations of the University. Advanced standing will be granted only for those subjects assessed as being appropriate for the program and the stream selected.

Co-op Option

Direct Admission to the 1st Year of the Co-op Option
Co-op is available for the following Majors in the B.A. (Honours) degree: Anthropology, English, Environmental Studies, European and Russian Studies, French, Geography, Geomatics, History, Law, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology.

Applicants must:

1. meet the required overall admission cut-off average and prerequisite course average. These averages may be higher than the stated minimum requirements;
2. be registered as a full-time student in the Bachelor of Arts Honours with one of the majors listed above;
3. be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work placements).

Meeting the above requirements only establishes eligibility for admission to the program. The prevailing job market may limit enrolment in the co-op option. Students should also note that hiring priority is given to Canadian citizens for co-op positions in the Public Service Commission.

Note: continuation requirements for students previously admitted to the co-op option and admission requirements for the co-op option after beginning the program are described in the Co-operative Education Regulations section of this Calendar.

Advanced Standing

B.A. and B.A. (Honours) Program

Applications for admission to the second or subsequent years will be assessed on their merits. Advanced standing will be granted only for those courses that are determined to be appropriate.

Direct Admission to the First Year of the Co-op Option

Co-op is available for the following Majors in the B.A. (Honours) degree: Anthropology, English, Environmental Studies, European, Russian, and Eurasian Studies, French, Geography, Geography with a Concentration in Physical Geography, Geomatics, History, Law, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology.

Applicants must:

1. meet the required overall admission cut-off average and prerequisite course average. These averages may be higher than the stated minimum requirements;
2. be registered as a full-time student in the Bachelor of Arts Honours with one of the majors listed above;
3. be eligible to work in Canada (for off-campus work placements).

Meeting the above requirements only establishes eligibility for admission to the program. The prevailing job market may limit enrolment in the co-op option. Students should also note that hiring priority is given to Canadian citizens for co-op positions in the Public Service Commission.

Note: continuation requirements for students previously admitted to the co-op option and admission requirements for the co-op option after beginning the program are described in the Co-operative Education Regulations section of this Calendar.