Associate of Arts in Geography

at Kwantlen Polytechnic University - Langley Campus Canada

The Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminology program provides students with a broad, liberal education in social science, criminal justice, and law. Students learn scientific research methods, legal, philosophical and theoretical approaches to aid in understanding crime and related social problems, and social responses to crime. The BA degree program builds on the central core of method and theory and affords students opportunities to hone abstract, logical thinking, and critical understanding of the issues, arguments, and debates that shape the discipline's character and aims.

Contemporary criminology courses developed especially for this degree expose students to cutting-edge theory and research. This program integrates opportunities to engage in undergraduate research, service learning, and practicum placements that provide students with highly transferable and marketable knowledge and skills. For more information, see the Criminology Department webpage: kpu.ca/arts/criminology

Students who graduate with a BA degree may apply to law school or pursue a graduate degree in criminology or other disciplines. Those who are interested in applying to graduate school, or who prefer a more extensive research experience, are encouraged to undertake a structured program leading to a Bachelor of Arts (Honours), Major in Criminology.

Co-operative Education:-
The Bachelor of Arts, Major in Criminology is offered with a Co-operative Education option. Co-operative Education gives a student the opportunity to apply the skills gained during academic study in paid, practical work experience semesters. Degree students in the Co-op option are expected to complete a minimum of three work terms while completing their degree. Work terms generally occur full-time in separate 4 month work semesters but may also be available part-time over an 8 month continuous (parallel) placement. Work semesters alternate with academic study.
Students wishing to enter and participate in the Co-op Option must meet the following requirements:

While obtaining the benefits of study across several disciplines, students in this program concentrate on theories of crime, law, and the administration of justice in Canada. Students are immersed in a multidisciplinary approach to understanding crime in context, how different communities respond to crime in Canada, crime statistics, and different methods that can be used in researching crime and social control.

The Bachelor of Arts, Major in History, will provide you with the opportunity to study the many peoples and cultures whose contributions have created the world in which we live today.
Our BA degree allows you to develop the knowledge and core competencies characteristic of a traditional BA program, while preparing you to respond creatively and innovatively to a range of challenges in our community and our world. You will gain the literacy and analytical competencies demanded by twenty-first century employers. Equally importantly, you will become a better-informed citizen of our increasingly interconnected world.

As a History student you will benefit from our faculty's commitment to teaching excellence and from the small class sizes at KPU.
In our lower-level courses, you will begin to build the critical thinking, intercultural, and analytical competencies necessary to succeed in upper level history courses. At the upper-level, you will undertake in-depth studies of particular areas or important themes in global development. Please see the History website at www.kpu.ca/arts/history for more information on our thematic streams.

The Associate of Arts Degree in Sociology is a provincially recognized two-year academic credential program. The aims of this program are to provide students with an entry point into a Bachelor of Arts degree program, to create greater ease in transferring credits to other post-secondary institutions, to enrich students’ intellectual lives, and prepare them with academic knowledge and skills applicable to various work contexts. Students are exposed to an overview of central topics in sociology, fundamental sociological theories and concepts, studies in Canadian society and specialized subject areas in sociology.

Students who complete the Associate of Arts Degree in Sociology and wish to continue their studies at KPU may enter the Bachelor of Arts Major or Bachelor of Arts Minor in Sociology degree program with relative ease. Additional course credits at the 2000 level are required for graduation in these programs so students should be sure to consult the program information on our BA degrees.

The Associate of Arts Degree in Sociology meets common academic standards at post-secondary institutions throughout the province. This means that students may apply for ‘block transfer’ of course credits from their first two years of study at KPU to programs at other universities in British Columbia. Completion of BA programs in sociology at other institutions will also require additional courses at the 2000 level.
Arts Degree Advisors can assist students in ensuring they meet entrance and graduation requirements for the BA in sociology degree programs at KPU.

The program is recognized by the The British Columbia College of Nursing Professionals (BCCNP).
The Kwantlen Polytechnic University Bachelor of Psychiatric Nursing (BPN) program philosophy consists of three guiding principles and six core concepts. These provide the philosophical foundation for the BPN program and basic assumptions that are inter-woven through all aspects of the BPN program curriculum and underpin its' philosophical framework. They provide grounding in health promotion, therapeutic relationship and diversity.

The core concepts are articulated and place the client at the center of our model. These include: client centeredness, being, situatedness, choice, professionalism, and teaching and learning. The person (client) is considered within the context of their culture, religion, ethnicity, race, historical experiences, spirituality and abilities. Diversity and equality are values running through the entire curriculum. This “ecological” theme considers the impact of the environment, social determinants of health, definitions of health, and prevention and promotion on a person’s well-being.

The BPN program is developed in the context of psychiatric nursing theory based on best practice and the therapeutic use of self in interpersonal relationships. A health promotion perspective has been used to organize and construct the curriculum. This shift in focus from illness to health represents a deliberate move away from a disease model, to a model focusing on the person's experience with health and healing (Austin and Boyd, 2015). Inherent to these orientations is the use of teaching methodologies, which encourage the development of analytical and critical thinking based on praxis, and the discovery of personal meaning and personal power.

The BPN program philosophy recognizes the foundational role of praxis in psychiatric nursing theory and recognizes that psychiatric nursing practice requires thoughtful, reflective action. To assist in actualizing the concept of praxis, nursing practice experiences are integrated throughout the program of studies. The concept of praxis is used to guide learners to critically reflect on their practice and on their application of psychiatric nursing knowledge and clinical judgment within the practice setting.

Students who enroll in the program will receive a student resource manual that provides information regarding program guidelines. Students are responsible for familiarizing themselves with University policies and BPN program guidelines.

Please be advised that applications to this program will only be accepted from Canadian citizens and permanent residents / landed immigrants of Canada.

Nursing Practice Experiences
Psychiatric/mental health nursing practice experiences are essential in the BPN program. Students will be directly involved with clients in their homes, institutional and community settings in each semester. Note: These experiences may involve days, evenings, nights and weekends. Practice experiences occur throughout the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley. Students may choose to have placements locally, nationally and internationally for some components of the program. Students are responsible for their own transportation and other expenses incurred during these experiences.

Some agencies may require students to take an Oath of Confidentiality, have an additional criminal record search, or have a successful interview with their personnel prior to their acceptance. Failure to have documentation acceptable to the agency at the time of placement may result in denial of the experience, which in turn may prevent completion of the program of studies.

Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) is a full-time, two-year, cohort program focused on the fundamentals of Visual Effects and the integration of Virtual Production workflows and pipelines. Students will study numerous specializations in VFX, such as modeling, sculpting, texturing/surfacing, lighting, compositing, and FX. The program also integrates virtual production workflows into these departments and courses by introducing the Unreal Engine. Unreal and other virtual production software and tools are used in the preparation, modification, and filming of VFX assets, in-camera. By replicating real-world fundamentals of virtual production and its fast-paced work environment of real-time rendering, artists are trained to be equipped both artistically and technically in the realm of quick problem solving, teamwork and collaboration. The fundamentals of cinematography, data acquisition, matchmove, photography and real-world lighting are also explored before they are taken into the 3D, virtual space. In advanced studies, 3D matte painting is introduced as a hybrid of 2D and 3D images for set extensions, for use in both traditional VFX and VFX for virtual production. Basic scripting is used in various software packages, such as Unreal, Nuke, Houdini and other industry leading software to optimize artists’ workflows. The program also teaches students the fundamentals of pre- and post-production, critical analysis and review, realistic production schedules, team work and soft skills. It also teaches students how to interact with other VFX departments, both on set and in studio.

A wide range of industry standard software and tools, processes, and workflows are taught to the students for both traditional VFX and VFX for virtual production. Students will create a portfolio of VFX shots in the form of a demo reel. Demo reel shots may be solely the student’s own creations, or the result of a collaborative group project(s).

The Advanced VFX (Virtual Production) program is best suited for students that display an artistic or creative background. A foundation in technical and or software skills is also beneficial. These artistic, creative and technical skills serve as a foundation for challenging roles in the VFX and game development industries.

In the Associate of Arts Degree in History you will be introduced to the discipline and will be prepared for further study, either in History, or in other areas. By completing the Associate of Arts degree you will gain a broader understanding of the world in which you live and will become a more informed and engaged citizen. You can focus on a particular geographic region; however, we recommend that you complete as broad a range of courses as possible.

The Associate of Arts degree can be used as an entry pathway into the Bachelor of Arts Degree in History; however, you should note that the BA only requires six credits of History at the first year level and six credits of History at the second year level.
History courses are reading and writing intensive. It is therefore strongly recommended that you complete the English requirements of your degree within your first two semesters.

The Marketing Management Diploma is a comprehensive program designed to provide a solid, general foundation in this exciting field. Study begins with emphasis on basic business knowledge and skills, and then intensively explores the discipline of Marketing, with emphasis on the job skills and experience that business demands. Projects with local businesses and organizations are also included in order to provide real world experience.

Graduates of this program may also be eligible to continue their business study by pursuing a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) degree in Entrepreneurial Leadership, Human Resources Management, or Marketing Management.  Many of the courses required for the Marketing Management Diploma are requirements for these BBA degree programs.  Students wishing to progress into a BBA degree should consult with a School of Business advisor for course planning assistance.

Co-operative Education

The Marketing Management diploma is offered with a Co-operative Education option. Co-operative Education gives a student the opportunity to apply the skills gained during academic study in paid, practical work experience semesters. Students can complete two work semesters while completing their diploma. Work terms generally occur full-time in separate 4 month work semesters. Work semesters alternate with academic study.

The one-year General Business Studies Certificate Program is designed to provide students with a broad range of fundamental business skills and an understanding of the business environment. Many classes are offered in the evening to accommodate part-time students.  The Certificate program requires completion of 10 courses and emphasizes real world business applications in key functional areas.

Students may select their elective courses according to the following guidelines for specialization in Business Management or Marketing and have the specialization documented on their transcript.

Courses in the certificate program may also be applied towards the Business Management Diploma program at KPU.

The Associate Degree is designed to provide an educational experience that prepares students for work, citizenship and an enriched life as an educated person, and to lay a solid foundation for further study in the field of Economics.
This program of study is recommended for students interested in pursuing a career in economics or finance and is designed to provide the foundations required for upper level courses.