The four-year degree programs in Criminal Justice, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology share a common one-year foundation, in which students acquire breadth in the social sciences and humanities, followed by three years of a specific program of study. Students who are initially undecided about which one of these programs best matches their interests and goals may be admitted as Undeclared. The common one-year foundation gives Undeclared students time to explore the program areas before transferring into a program for second year. All of the completed courses in first year are credited to the student's program. 

Students who have already decided which of the eight programs they are interested in should apply to those programs directly, and should consult the relevant pages of this calendar for program details.

Students who are completing, or have already completed post-secondary studies, must apply to one of the eight programs - Criminal Justice, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology. Transfer credit/Advanced Standing cannot be granted for the Undeclared Arts Option.

Semesters One and Two: Undeclared students learn more about the program areas by selecting introductory courses in Criminal Justice, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Politics and Governance, Psychology, and Sociology. Two required first-year courses - Academic Writing and Research, and Critical Thinking develop essential skills and competencies that will enhance students' success in university and career preparation. Students also explore other social science and humanities areas, and choose electives from more than 15 subject areas, including business and the natural sciences, and any one of these can lead to a Minor. 

Transferability Guidelines

Students who have been admitted into the Bachelor of Arts – Undeclared must declare one of Criminal Justice, English, Environment and Urban Sustainability, Geographic Analysis, History, Politics and Governance, Psychology or Sociology by second semester. No student can remain Undeclared past second semester.

Students must declare their program online via RAMSS by February 2nd. All program transfers will be considered on a competitive basis and are subject to program capacity.

Students must have successfully completed CRM 100 in order to transfer to Criminal Justice for the Fall term of their second year of studies. It is strongly recommended that students complete both CRM 100 and CRM 102 in first year. 

Students must have successfully completed ENG 108 in order to transfer to English for the Fall term of their second year of studies. It is strongly recommended that students complete both ENG 108 and ENG 208 in first year. 

Students must have successfully completed EUS 102 or EUS 202 in order to transfer to Environment and Urban Sustainability for the Fall term of their second year of studies. It is strongly recommended that students complete EUS 102 ²¹²Ô»å EUS 202 in first year.

Students must have successfully completed GEO 131 or GEO 151 in order to transfer to Geographic Analysis for the Fall term of their second year of studies. It is strongly recommended that students complete both GEO 131 ²¹²Ô»å GEO 151 in first year.

Students must have successfully completed one HIS course from among the courses numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399. It is strongly recommended that students complete two HIS courses numbered between HIS 100 and HIS 399 in first year. (HST courses may be substituted for HIS courses, subject to department approval.)

Students must have successfully completed POG 100 or POG 110 in order to transfer to Politics and Governance for the Fall term of their second year of studies. It is strongly recommended that students complete both POG 100 ²¹²Ô»å POG 110 in first year. 

Students must have successfully completed PSY 102 in order to transfer to Psychology for the Fall term of their second year of studies. It is strongly recommended that students complete both PSY 102 ²¹²Ô»å PSY 202 in first year. 

Students must have successfully completed SOC 105 in order to transfer to Sociology for the Fall term of their second year of studies. It is strongly recommended that students complete both SOC 105 ²¹²Ô»å SOC 107 in first year.