Bachelor of Arts Community Studies
Turn Ideas Into Action
Students from around the globe come to Cape Breton University to partake in a participatory and experiential curriculum. This pursuit enables students to truly engage with their communities and familiarize themselves with a diverse and changing workplace.
The BACS degree is highly flexible, with a wide range of opportunities for academic specialization, applied learning, as well as highly specific focused degrees in various areas of study. The BACS degree allows students to work within their communities to identify and address existing issues. BACS students are empowered to solve problems through research, and lead interdisciplinary teams to create an impact in the real world. The BACS degree encourages students to design and build community-based projects with these teams, teaching critical networking and communication skills along the way. BACS students prepare for their future careers by learning how to effectively create community partnerships to drive change.
Online Pathway for College Graduates
Cape Breton University is pleased to offer a fully online cohort for the Bachelor of Arts Community Studies Program exclusive to Nova Scotia Community College and College of the North Atlantic students and/or graduates. If you are currently studying or have completed the following programs at the respective post-secondary institutions, you could be eligible for admission into the BACS online cohort through established articulation pathways.
Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC)
College of the North Atlantic (CONA)
Applicants without one of these diplomas may apply to the on-campus BACS program. For the full list of active Articulation Agreements that CBU has with institutions across Canada and the globe, visit cbu.ca/transfer.
Please note enrolment in this program is limited, and students are required to be enrolled on a full-time basis.
Gaelic College (Mabou Campus) First-Year Option
Cape Breton University (CBU) and Colaisde na Gàidhlig/The Gaelic College are pleased to announce a new collaboration to offer the first year of the Bachelor of Arts in Community Studies (BACS) degree at the Gaelic College (Mabou Campus). Through this partnership, interested students will have the unique opportunity to complete their first year of studies at the culturally rich Gaelic College in Mabou, before transitioning to the CBU campus for the remainder of their degree.
The program will be delivered by the CBU’s School of Arts and Sciences (SASS) in collaboration with The Gaelic College. Under the agreement, CBU faculty or approved educators will deliver the coursework on-site at the Mabou Campus. Students will receive full academic advising from CBU faculty to ensure a seamless integration into their second year of study at the main CBU campus. To apply, students should apply to CBU as usual and select the first year at Gaelic College (Mabou Campus) as their program option.
What is the tuition for this program?
These numbers are an estimate for planning purposes only. These numbers do not include lab or accommodation fees. Please visit the Student Finance Hub for more information.
| TOTAL YEAR(S) | TOTAL CREDITS | TOTAL SEMESTER(S) | NS STUDENTS | OTHER PROVINCE STUDENTS | INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS | |
| 3 Year Bachelor of Arts, Community Studies (BACS) | 3 | 90 | 6 | $27,895.20 | $33,994.20 | $71,383.20 |
| 4 Year Bachelor of Arts, Community Studies (BACS) | 4 | 120 | 8 | $37,193.60 | $45,325.60 | $95,177.60 |
Areas of Study and Sample Courses
The core community studies courses are focused on problem-solving, critical thinking, community-based research and work placements.
Why study at CBU?
What makes the decision to study at CBU the right decision to make? The unique academic programs. The undergraduate research opportunities. The people. The location. It all comes together to create the perfect environment for learning and living. And as #8 on the top islands to visit in the world by Travel + Leisure Magazine, CBU prides itself on our beautiful landscapes, tradition of excellence and innovative culture of collaboration.
Our BACS degree offers a unique experiential education with volunteer or work placements built into the core of the program. Rather than focusing on traditional measurements of academic success like lectures and exams, the BACs degree is led by a unique teaching approach that builds research and academic skills by applying them to community development. We strive to ensure students have real work experience before graduation to apply Community Studies skills while gaining employment experience. Additionally, students engage with their communities in projects that help foster both community awareness and establish a true sense of teamwork.
CBU also provides an easy destination for transfer students as CBU has articulation agreements with Nova Scotia Community College (NSCC) and a number of other Canadian colleges. In some areas of study, it is possible to complete a three-year BACS degree entirely online.
What skills will I gain from this program?
- Critical thinking
- Problem solving
- Reflective learning
- Workplace experience
- Community involvement
Possible Career Paths
- Social Work & Counselling
- Education
- Recreation & Sports Management
- Health
- Medicine
- Occupational Therapy
- Physiotherapy
- Public Administration
- Community Organizations
- Creative Arts & Art Management
- Law Enforcement
Related Contacts
 Chris McDonald Dean, School of Arts & Social Sciences School of Arts & Social Sciences chris_mcdonald@cbu.ca 902-563-1354 |