Augustana Advantage

What's the Augustana Advantage?

At Augustana, we're doing things a bit differently. As a small, residence-based liberal arts and sciences institution, we are focused on educating the whole person, which means that you'll leave our campus with much more than just a University of Alberta degree.

In the University of Alberta's 2016 Strategic Plan, For the Public Good, the University asked that Augustana be "strengthened as a living laboratory for teaching and learning innovation, to the benefit of the entire university."

We took that call seriously, which is why we offer a number of teaching and learning innovations that benefit our students. Our non-traditional calendar, interdisciplinary programs and project-based core allow our students to develop their degrees based on their own passions, while gaining real-world problem solving experience. We work to develop students as creative and critical thinkers, collaborators and communicators so that they are prepared for the ever-changing workplaces of the future.

3-11 and First Year Seminars

Our innovative schedule allows students to immerse themselves in one area of study during block terms so that they can take part in experiential learning opportunities while finishing an entire course in three weeks.

Find out more

New Interdisciplinary Majors

Beginning in the 2020-2021 academic year, students will be able to choose from three new majors which blend various disciplines for a degree that allows you to follow your own interests while gaining the skills to excel in various career paths upon graduation.

FAQ

  • 1. Why would I choose to take one of the new majors?
    These new majors will give you the ability to customize your degree, explore your interests and learn the skills needed to excel in the workplace or get into graduate school or a professional program. The new majors are multidisciplinary and provide unique groups of courses for students.
  • 2. What are some of the career opportunities available to me with these new majors?

    These new majors prepare you for a variety of career paths. Because they are multidisciplinary in nature, they prepare students to enter graduate studies, to work in various interdisciplinary fields of study across the humanities and social sciences, as well as to get into professional schools like law, medicine and business. Some of the specific fields each of these majors could prepare you for include:

    Creativity and Culture
    art and design, communications, library and information science, journalism, marketing, publishing, education

    Law, Crime and Justice Studies
    working with prison populations, probation officers, entering the police force or RCMP, social work, government work, non-profit organizations, law school, other pre-professional studies

    Ethics and Global Studies
    non-governmental organizations, non-profits, municipal, provincial and federal government offices, policy development, intelligence, foreign service, diplomacy, community development, social work, international policy, civil service

FAQ for Current Students

  • 1. Where can I find the requirements for each of the new majors?
    In March, students will be able to see the requirements laid out in the University of Alberta's 2020/21 academic calendar online. If you are a current student, information on requirements for new majors can also be found during appointments and conversations with your Student Advisors. They can assist you in reviewing a "what if" advisement report to show what the new majors could look like with the courses you have already taken.
  • 2. How do I know if I can move into one of the new majors?
    Current year-one students, or those who will complete 45 or fewer credits after Winter 2020, can move into a new major for Fall 2020. If you'd like to make this move, please speak to your Student Advisors during course selection time (March 2020).
  • 3. Can I still switch majors?
    Yes, current students can continue to switch to current Augustana majors. However, you can no longer switch into majors that have been suspended for admission. The following majors have been suspended: art, drama, economics, English, global and development studies, history, modern languages, music, philosophy and religion and political science.
  • 4. What does that mean for students already enrolled in these majors?
    Students who are currently enrolled in one of the majors that have been suspended for admission can choose to continue on with that major or can explore a different major.

Project-Based Core

Beginning in the 2020-2021 academic year, students will be enrolled in a project-based core, which will allow them to tackle real-world issues in the classroom as preparation for valuable employment and citizenship continuing after university studies.

Find out more

FAQ

  • 1. Why did Augustana make these changes

    At Augustana, we're always thinking about better ways to teach and learn, instead of simply relying on the traditional ways of doing things. We've introduced three new majors and a new project-based core to begin in the Fall of 2020 in order to expand on the unique and innovative learning experience that we've already started with 3-11.

  • 2. What are the benefits of the project-based core?

    The project-based core focuses on the four C's: communication, critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration. These 21st-century skills are those most often identified as desirable among employers, ensuring success in any future career path.

    The new project-based core includes four sequential, group-based courses that build these skills in tangible ways and give you the opportunity to practice what you've learned in real-world settings.

  • 3. Do I have to work in teams or groups in the new core?

    Yes! We know that being able to work in a group is one of the most in-demand skills that employers tell us they want from university graduates. With that said, we will give you the opportunity to hone those skills and practice working in interdisciplinary teams in a safe environment where your professors and peers can provide you feedback.

    Learning how to work effectively as a part of a team is one of the objectives of these courses. We want you to be able to answer inevitable job interview questions about examples of working collaboratively with others using examples from your project-based core experiences.

  • 4. Will the new core courses be offered in the 3-week block?

    Typically, AUIDS 101 will be offered in the first 3-week block on campus. AUIDS 201 will be offered in the Fall 11-week and the 6 credit courses (AUIDS 301 and 401) will likely be offered in a 3-week and 11-week course in both the Fall and Winter semesters (students will choose Fall or Winter depending on the rest of their academic schedule).

    More information about the new courses

FAQ for Current Students

  • 1. Is the new core mandatory?

    No, it is not mandatory to take the new core, but it is mandatory to be enrolled in a core. Most universities have general core requirements for all students to finish before they graduate.

    All students currently attending Augustana are required to complete the current core. However, if you are a current student and have less than 45 credits at the end of Winter 2020, you can choose to switch to the new project-based core. All students starting in the Fall of 2020 will be taking the new, project-based core.

  • 2. Who can switch into the new core?

    If you are a current year-one student or will have 45 credits or less at the end of Winter 2020, you can decide to move into the new core for Fall 2020. Please discuss this with your Student Advisors.

  • 3. Will switching extend my program?

    If you are a current year-one student, or will have 45 credits or less by the end of Winter 2020 and were on track to complete your degree in four years (30 credits in each year), making this switch will not extend your program. If you have completed more than 45 credits and decide to switch over, it may increase your time to graduation. A Student Advisor can assist you by looking at your individual situation to find out what the impact on you would be.

  • 4. If I switch into the new core, can I switch back?

    If you are a current student and choose to switch into the new core, you are unable to move back to the old core.