A Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree is a university degree within which a major—a specific area of interest—is studied. Subject areas that fall under the Arts faculty include social sciences—including but not limited to psychology, anthropology, sociology, political studies, women’s studies, religious studies, philosophy, economics, and history and the humanities including modern languages (Spanish, French, German, Italian, and Japanese), English, music, and theatre.
Why choose Arts?
Some people think that taking “Arts” at university is learning how to do art, like painting and drawing and sculpture. Rather, “Arts” at university is a much wider branch of study that encompasses fine arts (like painting, drawing, and sculpture), as well as languages, humanities, and social sciences. The University of Prince Edward Island has a long tradition of providing a solid education in the liberal arts. It is committed to rigorous study and inquiry, belief in the value of knowledge, lifelong capacity-building, and the development of the whole person. UPEI’s Faculty of Arts offers wide-ranging and comprehensive programs that encompass the many genres that make up the “Arts.” And UPEI’s advisors and professors in the Faculty of Arts are committed to helping you find the field that most interests you, and ensuring your time here is exciting and productive.
What can I do with an Arts degree?
A Bachelor of Arts, like most undergraduate degrees, provides an excellent foundation from which to pursue a host of vibrant and exciting careers. Some students may choose to further their studies in a graduate school or professional program, or embark upon a law or medical career, while others choose to enter the workforce right away. Here's what some UPEI graduates are doing with their BAs:
There's a perception that Arts degrees aren't useful in the "real world." But they are. Today's job market demands creativity, writing, and speaking skills, and, above all, imagination and flexibility—keys to success and leadership today. We hear this over and over again from people doing the hiring. It's great that some students come out of high school knowing exactly what they want, but that certainly wasn't my situation. For students who don't want to be pinned down to a specific career at the ripe age of 18, an Arts degree gives them a grounding in the skills that will make them truly marketable in today's employment environment—and true citizens of our democratic society. Arts degrees don't close doors, they open them.
—Joe Velaidum, Director of Student Engagement and Retention and Associate Professor of Religious Studies
