UofC

The Arts and Science Honours Academy (ASHA) is a program for students of demonstrated ability who aspire to a well-rounded education that combines the depth of an Honours degree with the breadth of dedicated interdisciplinary courses and an experiential learning experience.

Contact Information
Email: asha@ucalgary.ca
Website: arts.ucalgary.ca/current-students/undergraduate/arts-and-science-honours-academy

Entrance to the program is competitive. Admission criteria include high academic achievement (a minimum high school average of 85 per cent) and evidence of community or academic involvement and leadership. Students must complete a separate online form and two short essays. While admission is normally limited to incoming first-year students, students in the participating faculties can be considered for admission in their second year.

1. Academic Achievement: Excellence in a degree program in the Faculty of Arts or the Faculty of Science demonstrated by either:

   a. Successful completion of a BA or BSc with Honours, or

   b. Students completing programs that do not offer Honours are required to complete their degree programs with a GPA of at least 3.30 over the final 90 units and over all courses completed in their major field, in addition to completing a significant independent research course in their field of study.

2. Experiential Learning Activity: Students must complete an approved off-campus experiential learning activity. The activity may take the form of a work, volunteer, study, or community experience. Students must submit a proposal for their activity to the program co-ordinator for approval in December of their second year. In the proposal, students must make the case for how the proposed activity is an immersive one and represents a significant departure from their regular course of studies. A formal reflection in an online module, completed after the activity, will be required. .

3. Arts and Science Honours Academy Core Courses: 15 units:

   Arts and Science Honours Academy 222, 322, 422, 503*

*Registration in Arts and Science Honours Academy 503 is contingent upon admission to an honours program. Students completing programs that do not offer honours are required to achieve a GPA of at least 3.30 over the most recent 90 units and over all courses completed in their major field in order to continue in the program.

Note: These courses may be used to satisfy the breadth requirements of courses outside the home faculty.