Bachelor of Arts, General | Fully Online Degree
Build the Foundation for Any Future
If you want a flexible degree that allows you to study "a bit of everything" from across 30+ subject areas, the Bachelor of Arts General Online at the University of Guelph is built for you:
- Need a degree you can complete from anywhere?
- Going back to school to finish your degree and need to transfer credits?
- Looking for a university program that fits your full-time work schedule?
- Making a career change and need to upgrade your education?
In just 24-36 months, you'll develop valuable skills like creative thinking, critical inquiry, and effective communication while discovering what excites you. If you're looking for adaptability and exposure to a wide variety of disciplines, this 100% online undergraduate degree puts your education in your hands.
Why Choose the University of Guelph for Your Fully Online Degree?
- Study at a Top University
- The University of Guelph is ranked number 6 in Canada for comprehensive universities by Maclean's (2026).
- Learn from the Experts
- Our faculty are recognized as renowned experts in the arts, humanities, and social and natural sciences.
- Get the Campus Experience
- Even though you can complete this program entirely online, you also have the option to enroll in in-person classes.
- Start Any Semester
- You can start your Bachelor of Arts General Online degree in September, January, or May, depending on your availability.
Study Options for the Bachelor of Arts General Online
You can complete your degree in just 2 years if you choose to study over the summer.
If you do not study in the summer, the program takes 3 years (6 semesters) to complete.
Most full-time students take 5 courses each semester.
Need an extra flexible schedule to accommodate work and family responsibilities?
You can also complete your Bachelor of Arts General Online on your own timeline with the part-time study option.
With the part-time study option, you can take 1-3 courses each semester.
Already have some university education and looking to complete your degree?
You can transfer credits if you have completed courses that are considered equivalent to the ones offered in the University of Guelph Bachelor of Arts program.
Note: Transfers are considered on a case-by-case basis. Your transcript will be evaluated when you apply.
How to Complete the BAG Online Program
The program structure ensures that while you're taking courses to suit your own interests, you're getting a well-rounded general education in the arts, humanities, and social and natural sciences.
Some courses have prerequisites or restrictions. Keep in mind that course offerings can change each semester—new courses may be added while others may be removed. Your Academic Advisors are available to help you plan your schedule of courses and graduate on time.
Visit the Course Catalog to see descriptions of our courses.
You must complete 15.00 credits to earn a general degree.
Most courses are worth 0.50 credits, while some are double weight and worth 1.0 credits. Therefore, you need to take about 30 courses in total.
You must also achieve a minimum cumulative average of 60% to graduate.
- You cannot count more than 6.00 credits at the 1000 (introductory) level towards the 15.00 total credits requirement.
- You must take at least 4.00 credits at the 3000 (advanced) level or above.
- At least 9.00 of the required 15.00 credits must be in the arts, humanities, social sciences, economics, mathematics, and computer science.
- You should also take courses from a variety of subjects, as you cannot count more than 11.00 credits in any one subject or discipline towards the 15.00 total credits requirement.
- You must complete a minimum of 1.50 credits (usually 3 courses) over at least 2 different subjects in the humanities. Humanities include studies in the fine arts, languages, literature, history, philosophy, and cultural studies.
- You must complete a minimum of 1.50 credits (usually 3 courses) over at least 2 different subjects in the social sciences. Social sciences include subjects like anthropology, sociology, economics, geography, psychology, political science, law, and international development.
Visit the Course Catalog to see descriptions of our courses. A course's subject is indicated by its code prefix, such as HIST or PSYC.
You must take 1.00 credits (usually 2 courses) in the natural or mathematical sciences.
If you have relevant Grade 12 university-stream (4U) education, you may take any 1000-level course in subjects like biology, chemistry, physics, math, or computer science. You may also take statistics courses at the 2000-level.
Visit the Course Catalog to see descriptions of our courses.
If you did not take science courses at the university prep level in high school, the following courses are recommended to meet this requirement:
| Course Code | Course Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BIOL*1500 | Humans in the Natural World | 0.50 |
| BIOM*2000 | Concepts in Human Physiology | 0.50 |
| CHEM*1060 | Introductory Chemistry | 0.50 |
| ENVS*1060 | Discovering Planet Earth | 0.50 |
| ENVS*2060 | Soil Science | 0.50 |
| ENVS*2130 | Eating Sustainably in Ontario | 0.50 |
| ENVS*2210 | Apiculture and Honey Bee Biology | 0.50 |
| ENVS*2270 | Impacts of Climate Change | 0.50 |
| FOOD*2010 | Principles of Food Science | 0.50 |
| HORT*1130 | Science of Gardening | 0.50 |
| NUTR*1010 | Introduction to Nutrition | 0.50 |
| PHYS*1600 | Contemporary Astronomy | 0.50 |
Sample Schedule to Fast Track Your Degree
This is one example of a schedule that would allow you to meet all the degree requirements for the Bachelor of Arts General over a period of 24 months.
Course selections are based on the most frequently offered courses, although available courses can change each semester.
Visit the Course Catalog to see descriptions of our courses.
- PSYC*1000 Introduction to Psychology
- ANTH*1150 Introduction to Anthropology
- NUTR*1010 Introduction to Nutrition
- HIST*1010 Early Modern Europe
- GEOG*1220 Explaining Environmental Change
- LING*1000 Introduction to Linguistics
- INDG*1000 Indigenous-Settler Relations
- MUSC*1150 Icons of Popular Music
- ENGL*1200 Reading the Contemporary World
- ITAL*1060 Introductory Italian I
- SOC*1100 Sociology
- HIST*2280 Hockey in Canadian History
- CLAS*2000 Classical Mythology
- ENVS*2210 Apiculture and Honey Bee Biology
- HIST*2070 World Religions
- POLS*2300 Canadian Government and Politics
- PHIL*3040 Philosophy of Law
- MUSC*2150 Music and Popular Culture
- HIST*3370 Canada and the First World War
- PSYC*2330 Principles of Learning
- POLS*3300 Governing Criminal Justice
- FRHD*2100 Development of Human Sexuality
- SOC*2760 Homicide
- HIST*3490 Canada and the Second World War
- PSYC*3570 The Psychology of Death and Dying
- PSYC*3480 Psychology of Sport
- HIST*3130 Popular Culture and Punishment, 1700-1900
- GEOG*3020 Global Environmental Change
- PSYC*3800 Psychology and Education
- HIST*3140 Witch-hunts and Popular Culture
Optional Certificates to Take Your Learning Further
Business
5 Courses
The certificate in business empowers learners with practical knowledge in core business functions like finance, operations, marketing, and risk management. It's ideal for non-commerce students seeking to strengthen career prospects and gain versatile, customizable business expertise.
Public Policy and Administration
5 Courses
The certificate in public policy and administration equips learners with foundational skills in governance, policy analysis, and administrative practices. It's a great choice for students aiming to broaden career opportunities and gain adaptable knowledge in public sector decision-making.
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College of Arts, Dean's Office
MacKinnon Building, Extension (MCKNX)
Trent Lane, Guelph, ON, N1G 2W1
coado@uoguelph.ca