Academic Programs at Laurier

Wilfrid Laurier University offers a broad range of programs leading to undergraduate honours and general degrees, post-degree diplomas and programs at the master's and doctoral level. Undergraduate programs are described within the following chapters:

Faculties of Arts, Education, Music, Science, Human and Social Sciences, Liberal Arts, Social Work; the Lazaridis School of Business and Economics and Martin Luther University College.

The preceding Areas of Study at Laurier chapter, lists all programs and courses offered.

Combined, simultaneous, cross-faculty, and sequential undergraduate degree programs are available at Laurier. The University chapter outlines all degrees offered, and provides a brief history.

Honours programs require four years of study and lead to an honours degree (BA, BASc, BBA, BBMT, BDes, BKin, BSc, BMus or BMusTh, BSW). The four-year program is arranged to provide mastery of a particular discipline with a liberal education of some depth. Honours requirements usually stipulate courses that must be taken in each successive year of the program. Students unable to achieve the required GPA after four years may elect to receive a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science with a major, option and minors. The attainment of a General BA or BSc degree without a major normally requires three years of study, students will have no further designation of a major or minor on these degrees. The university offers only two general degrees: a Bachelor of Arts, a Bachelor of Science.

Undergraduates, in an honours program, select one or more subjects of specialization and are assured a liberal breadth of study in a range of disciplines, particularly in Year 1. Through a two-year program, students with an undergraduate degree from a recognized university will earn a Bachelor of Education (BEd) degree. On receiving approval from the Ontario College of Teachers, graduates will be certified to practice in the Ontario education system, teaching Junior Kindergarten to Grade 6 with the Primary/Junior program, or Grades 4 to 10 with completion of the Junior/Intermediate program.

Option/Minor designations are available to students in undergraduate degree programs, subject to program regulation. Diplomas, Post-Baccalaureate Certificates, Undergraduate Certificates, and Credit-Bearing Micro-Credentials are also approved credentials offered across faculties, available as noted under specific faculty regulation. 

Concurrent undergraduate programs are available with the University of Waterloo (BBA/BMath, BBA/BCS), University of Sussex, U.K. (BA/LLB), Conestoga College (BSc/Diploma) and Mohawk College of Applied Arts and Technology (BA/Diploma-Certificate). Review the faculty chapters for information on these degrees and certificate/diploma programs.

Students are urged to consult the course descriptions contained in each faculty's chapter for required courses and electives, and should note prerequisites. Course Description Definitions and the complete Glossary of university terms appear on the left-hand navigation bar.

Laurier has arranged exchange programs in countries around the world. Consult the Laurier International website for extensive program details. Through the Faculty of Graduate Studies, the university offers doctoral and master's degrees. The online Graduate Studies Calendar is available from the Graduate Studies website.

The Undergraduate Admissions chapter provides specifics regarding the application process for qualified applicants to a wide spectrum of undergraduate programs at Laurier.

Student Awards
outlines numerous options for financial support at Laurier. Current and detailed information is available directly from the Student Awards Office or website. Financial Services categorizes the tuition fee details and procedures.

University-wide academic regulations, course registration and progression requirements are contained within the University Undergraduate Regulations chapter and concern all undergraduate students.

The academic regulations governing a student's program are those in effect at the time of initial registration at Wilfrid Laurier University, except that when academic regulations change prior to the completion of the program, the student may choose to have the new regulations apply. All course and grade point average regulations of the new program must be followed. A student, who is not registered for a period of 18 consecutive months or more, must follow the regulations that are in effect at the time of re-entry. Consult the University Undergraduate Regulations chapter, or the appropriate academic department for more information regarding these and all other university-wide undergraduate requirements.