Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies

at University of the Fraser Valley - Abbotsford Campus Canada

The Bachelor of Arts in Global Development Studies (GDS) is a broadly interdisciplinary program designed to equip students with the critical academic knowledge, skills and experience required to function effectively as development professionals in Canada or abroad or to continue on to graduate or other professional studies.

In addition to learning history and theory of development processes, and analyzing current global practices, international or domestic internships provide opportunities to make contacts and build skills.

The program:

• Equips you with strong advocacy, problem-solving, research, and writing skills.
• Promotes intercultural dialogue locally and abroad by drawing on topics in economics, political science, anthropology, sociology and communications.
• Presents unique internship opportunities with development organizations in Canada and internationally so you can apply what you learn in a global context.
• Develops focused disciplinary knowledge and skills by fulfilling requirements for a minor or an interdisciplinary concentration.
• Grounds you in the history and theory of global development processes and examines current debates in development practice.

To prepare you for today's multi-disciplinary creative industry, UFV's Graphic and Digital Design diploma program (GDD) provides you with a solid foundation in four fields of professional practice:  brand identity, graphic/communication design, dynamic media, and interactive design.

As a student, you are immersed in design practice through project-based learning in collaborative Mac studio spaces. You’ll build a strong foundation in design process, resourcefulness, and conceptual development, as well as skills in critical thinking, typography, image making, content creation, and industry standard Adobe software.

The Graphic and Digital Design diploma (GDD) is a full-time 60-credit cohort program offered on the Mission campus (fall intake), and the Abbotsford campus (winter intake).

As a GDD diploma student, you’ll be part of a cohort that moves together through the entire two-year program. You must register for five courses in each semester and each individual graphic design course is only offered once per academic year on each campus. Courses in the GDD diploma are raught by dynamic faculty engaged in design practice, professional communities, and academic research.

Expect at least four hours of homework each week for each course. GDD is both demanding and rewarding, requiring that you put in the time and commitment to build a strong professional practice portfolio.

FEATURES:

• Field trips enhance classroom learning
• Engage with the design industry through special events, guest lectures, study tours, design conferences, workshops, practicums, and mentorship opportunities.
• Coursework emphasizes professional standards of practice through real-world projects, special events, and workshops.
• Program eligible for financial aid

UFV’s Early Childhood Education diploma builds on the knowledge and skills obtained through the ECE certificate program. Having established a strong foundation of professional practice with the ECE certificate, you can choose to further your knowledge and competencies to work specifically with infants or children with special needs. These two program options share a common set of three core courses and each requires a different set of three specialty courses, including a 26-hour seminar and a 200-hour practicum.

The UFV Migration and Citizenship graduate diploma program builds on the knowledge acquired in the Migration and Citizenship graduate certificate.

To help you apply the knowledge acquired in the classrom and develop a reflexive and ethical practice, you have the opportunity to complete a practicum with a migration services agency and a capstone project.
Hands-on Practicum

A practicum will help to prepare you for a career in the broad fields of Migration and Citizenship by providing an opportunity to develop professional experience and skills in the context of a 300-hour field placement. During the practicum, you keep a weekly journal as a record of your experience to help with preparing your capstone project.

Practica are offered by a range of migration service providers and community organizations, and supervisory duties will be shared by the staff of these institutions. If you have prior work experience, portfolio-based Prior Learning and Recognition (PLAR) assessment is available.

Gain the essential skills required to enter the field of information technology with a UFV Computer Information Systems (CIS) certificate. The two-semester program provides you with the knowledge and experience to work with single-user systems and meet the needs of small companies who require employees with computer experience. As part of the program's strong emphasis on practical work, you get to apply what you learn in the classroom on hands-on projects in UFV's well-equipped labs. Flexible course options allow you to graduate with a certificate focused on specific skills or a general knowledge base. Depending on your course selection, you may find yourself working in areas such as web support, user technical support, or computer support.

The General Studies Diploma can serve as your interdisciplinary introduction to university studies. The two-year (60-credit) program allows you to customize your program of study by choosing from a wide range of courses to select those that match your interests and goals.

If you plan to continue on to complete a degree (BGS, BA, BBA, BCIS, BSc, etc.) once you have completed your diploma, it is highly recommended that you complete the first- and second-year requirements of the degree program. You can also use up to 45 transfer credits within the diploma.

UFV's Administration certificate is a part-time program that gives you a solid understanding of the fundamentals of business administration. 

The UFV Administration certificate provides essential grounding in business law, accounting, microeconomics, and industry-leading productivity software. A selection of electives allows you the freedom to explore your own areas of interest or specialize in one key field. You may also complete courses in public or municipal administration at other institutions or by correspondence, and transfer your credits to UFV. 

UFV ten- to eighteen-month* Data Analysis post-baccalaureate program equips you with the practical skills needed to extract reliable information from large data sets.

By taking carefully designed courses with the right mix of computing and statistics, you gain the database skills you need to house, extract, manipulate and maintain data.

More importantly, you also learn the statistical techniques needed to collect data correctly, assess its quality, analyze it, and turn it into the business intelligence that companies and institutions highly value in the marketplace.  Beyond knowing how to use specific programming languages and tools, employers need you to identify meaningful patterns, so that you can draw actionable conclusions to guide decision-making.

Get a broad, high-quality foundation in the Arts and add a valuable credential to your résumé by earning an Associate of Arts degree at UFV.

Within the degree, you can choose from the following options:

• General option
• International and Development Studies option
• Media and Communication Studies option
• Theatre option

This program includes a breadth of intellectual and academic experience worthwhile if your educational or career goals lie in the humanities, the creative and performing arts, or the social sciences.

In addition, practicum opportunities and optional paid co-op work placements throughout your studies allow you to gain valuable work experience.

The Associate of Arts degree may serve as a stepping stone if you plan to continue your studies to earn a Bachelor of Arts at UFV or elsewhere.