Arts Degree (BA) + Master’s Degree (MA, MAP or MIPP)

Degree Highlights

Your future professors work hard to make sure your academic experience is current, complete and designed to open doors in your career. Here are a few things you can count on:  

• Two Degrees in Five Years: Apply once and receive two offers of admission: an offer to the Bachlelor of Arts (BA) in English, Communication Studies, Film Studies, Global Studies, History, Languages, Political Science, Religion and Culture, or Women and Gender Studies; and a conditional offer to the Master of Arts (MA), Master of Applied Politics (MAP) or Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) associated with your BA.
• Tight-knit Teaching and Learning Community: Arts may be one of Laurier’s largest faculties but they take small class experiences seriously. Participate in group seminars designed to deepen your knowledge and enhance your research skills and gain the benefits of mentorship from upper-year students and your professors.  

Top Experiences 

Here are just a few of our students’ favourite ways to apply their learning in the real world throughout their degree (check out the Experience Guide for each BA program for even more):

• Become a Laurier Scholar: Join the Laurier Arts Scholars - a community of like-minded high-achieving students to participate in social and academic events.
• Instructional Experience: Apply for instructional assistant positions in the Faculty of Arts to gain teaching experience and deepen your expertise.
• Excel in Grad Studies: Develop leadership and professional skills in training and development workshops offered across campus, including Laurier’s nationally acclaimed ASPIRE program. 

What is a Arts Degree (BA) and Master's Degree Program?

If you're successful in your application to the Arts Degree (BA) and Master's Degree program, you'll receive two conditional offers of admission:

• One to undergraduate studies (BA) in Communication Studies, English, Film Studies, Global Studies, History, Languages, Political Science, Religion and Culture, or Women and Gender Studies; and
• One to a Master's degree in the same field as your undergraduate program.

This means that if you decide to continue your studies at the graduate level, you don’t need to apply to the master's program at Laurier because you’ve already received a conditional offer of admission. You will begin your master's program after you graduate from your BA degree program.

Master's Degree Options

• Master of Arts (MA): Complete advanced studies in the same or a similar field as your undergraduate program.
• Master of Applied Politics (MAP): Pursue a Master of Applied Politics (MAP), a hands-on graduate program grounded in the discipline of political science. You'll learn real-world skills and gain practical experience in placements with community organizations, local elected officials and government agencies.
• Master of International Public Policy (MIPP): Pursue a Master of International Public Policy (MIPP) at the Balsillie School of International Affairs to engage with leading global governance practitioners on your path to a rewarding career.

Management Option

The Management Option is for students interested in adding management-specific education to their degree. This is a direct-entry, 4.0-credit option that includes courses covering all the core pillars of management. Apply directly to Honours Arts + Master of Arts, Master of Applied Politics or Master of International Public Policy with Management Option on the Ontario Universities' Application Centre.

Program Options

Learn more about the undergraduate and graduate programs for each of our Arts Degree (BA) + Master's Degree majors.

• Communication Studies (BA) + Communication Studies (MA): Analyze and interpret various communication forms within their contexts, gaining a critical perspective and preparing for careers in public relations, marketing, politics, journalism and non-profits.
• English or Film Studies (BA) + English and Film Studies (MA): From the beginning of your undergraduate degree to the end of your masters, develop your skills in critical thinking, analysis and writing to prepare yourself for a career in fields like communications, media, literature and more.
• Global Studies (BA) + Global Studies, Religion and Culture (MA) or Master of International Public Policy (MIPP): Combine an understanding of global issues and cultural dynamics with a focus on religion and justice in this interdisciplinary program that will equip you for a life of advocacy, ministry, research and more.
• History (BA) + History (MA): Delve deep into the past, expanding your critical understanding and research skills across significant eras and events in the history of arts, culture, crime, politics, the military and more around the world.
• Languages (BA) + Cultural Analysis and Social Theory (MA): Explore different cultures and communication styles with a multilingual perspective, enhanced by societal insights that will help you make a meaningful impact on your community.
• Political Science (BA) + Applied Politics (MAP): Develop expertise (and gain real-world experience!) in problem solving, public policy, media relations, persuasion and advocacy, preparing for real-world political engagement and impact.
• Religion and Culture (BA) + Global Studies, Religion and Culture (MA): Investigate and critically analyze the intersections of religion, culture, politics, economics, human rights and the environment from a global perspective. 
• Women and Gender Studies (BA) + Cultural Analysis and Social Theory (MA): Analyze questions of gender and social justice while examining the important roles that gender and its relationship to other categories including race, class, sexuality, age, ability, citizenship, geographical location, national identity, etc. play in shaping people’s experiences across the globe.