Students are in motion around The Zipper sculpture in Science Theatres

Welcome to the Arts and Science Honours Academy

Every student's journey is unique.

ASHA Program Plan

Year One

Complete ASHA 222 "Ways of Making and Knowing" (a full year course).

Begin to think about what kind of Off-Campus Experiential Learning Activity to pursue.

Check whether the activity requires any certifications or previous experience.  

Check the requirements of your degree Honours program and work with an advisor in your faculty to map out your degree program.

Year Two

Complete ASHA 322 "Questions for Our Time" (Fall Term) and ASHA 422 "The Nature of Research" (Winter Term).

Identify an appropriate Off-Campus Experiential Learning Activity and prepare a proposal for approval by the ASHA Program Coordinator (due in December). 

When proposal is approved, make any necessary arrangements for your Experiential Learning Activity.

Apply to ASHA and other university sources for travel funding if appropriate.

Apply to degree Honours program this year or in third year as appropriate.

Year Three

No courses are required this year.

Complete your Off-Campus Experiential Learning Activity. 

Complete the Online Reflection Module for your Experiential Learning Activity. 

Apply for Honours if not done already.

Year Four

Complete ASHA 503 "Capstone" (Winter Term).

Complete Honours Project or Independent Research Project (if your Degree Program doesn't have an Honours Option).


Katie Ohe's The Zipper sculpture is in the foreground in Science Theatres. Students walk on either side of it.

Join the Students of ASHA!

Join the Students of Arts and Science Honours Academy (SASHA) to network with your peers. Be the first to find out about events and ways to get involved.

Visit SASHA online

The opportunity to travel as a student has made a huge difference in my life.

The chance to learn on-site brings a thrilling new level of reality and meaning to academic study, making concepts and theory relevant and vibrant. I believe that the chance to encounter other cultures also shapes character; my foreign study experience in Italy opened my eyes to my place in, and responsibility to the world outside the classroom.

Lindsay Driediger-Murphy

(BA Honours, Greek and Roman Studies), Assistant Professor, Department of Classics and Religion

Off-Campus Experiential Learning Activity

This activity can be a work, volunteer, study, or community experience -- undertaken in Calgary, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad. The length of the activity is flexible but it must be an immersive experience and a departure from one's regular course of studies.

In December, students can submit a proposal for approval by the ASHA Program Coordinator.


How do I study abroad?

Want to study abroad? You can arrange your own study abroad term, or work with UCalgary International Study Abroad. Want to work or volunteer abroad? You'll arrange your own program. Students must submit a travel proposal appropriate for their program to the ASHA Program Co-ordinator in December of their second year. Please note: Your work or volunteer experience should take up significant time. This experience is not intended as tourism.

Visit UCalgary International Study Abroad

Travel Awards

We'll assess you for either the ASHA Travel Grant or the Dr. Rowland Smith Memorial Scholarship. Amounts awarded will be based on the length of travel. You'll receive your funds after submitting a copy of your itinerary and confirmation of your acceptance to a study abroad program or volunteer program. Students experiencing financial need may also be considered for the Wigham travel grant. See terms of reference for more information.


Travel Awards Terms of Reference

ASHA Travel Grant

  • Multiple awards offered annually to continuing students in the Arts and Science Honours Academy
  • Must be in good academic standing
  • Amount may vary dependent on the applicant pool and is typically $500 for one term and $1,000 for two terms

Dr. Rowland Smith Memorial Scholarship

  • Multiple awards offered annually to continuing ASHA students in the Faculty of Arts
  • Requires a 3.2 GPA across 24 units completed in the previous Fall and Winter terms
  • Amount may vary dependent on the applicant pool and is typically $500 for one term and $1,000 for two terms

Wigham Travel Grant

  • Multiple awards offered annually to continuing students in the Arts and Science Honours Academy
  • Requires a 3.2 GPA across 24 units completed in the previous Fall and Winter terms
  • Amount may vary dependent on the applicant pool


FAQ

Everything you need to know about the ASHA program

  1. Is ASHA a minor?

    No. ASHA is a milestone, which appears on your transcript, but not on your degree parchment.

  2. What is a milestone, and why isn’t ASHA a minor?

    A milestone appears on your transcript, but not on your degree parchment. The reason ASHA can’t be a minor is because it is not strictly course based: in order to qualify as a minor, 30 units must be taken. ASHA only offers 15 units total. However it is still an achievement and milestone because of the other requirements: off-campus experiential learning activity, the honours designation, and the GPA requirements.

  1. If I get accepted to ASHA, am I automatically accepted to Honours?

    No. You must apply for Honours through your home faculty and under your specific program requirements.

  2. My program of study does not offer an Honours degree. Can I still complete ASHA?

    Yes. You will be required to complete a significant independent research course in your field of study in lieu of an Honours thesis. You must meet the Honours GPA requirement: 3.3 GPA over the final 90 units and over all courses completed in your major field.

  3. Where can I get information about honours?

    Visit an arts or science advisor, and read the calendar.

  1. What is an Off-Campus Experiential Learning Activity?

    This activity can be a work, volunteer, study, or community experience -- undertaken in Calgary, elsewhere in Canada, or abroad. The length of the activity is flexible but it must be an immersive experience and a departure from one's regular course of studies.

  1. What is SASHA?

    SASHA is a Students' Union sanctioned club that provides students with support, mentorship, and social activities to provide a sense of community throughout the different cohorts.

  2. What is a cohort and why does it matter?

    A cohort is the group of students that were admitted to the program at the same time, and will move through the trajectory of the program together. This is important because in-class discussions gain a lot when students already know each other and are comfortable; also, it is an excellent chance to meet lifelong friends.


Get help from the Arts Students' Centre (ASC)

Ask us about degree programs, graduation and more.


Office information:
Office location: Social Sciences 102
618 Campus Place NW
Phone number: 403.220.3580
ascarts@ucalgary.ca
 

Interested in grad studies? Talk to a graduate program advisor through the Arts Graduate Students' Centre.

***In order to comply with University of Calgary policy, all correspondence must be sent via your ucalgary.ca account

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Program advising

The arts advisors are currently available through a combination of phones and in-person drop-ins, as well as email. 

BOOKED APPOINTMENTS: 

Virtual: 9am to 12pm: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

In-Person: 9am to 12pm: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Book an appointment with an advisor through Elevate.

Book Advising meeting »

Appointments resume the week of April 8th

 

DROP-IN ADVISING:

Phone Advising, March 18-20 - 403.220.3580: 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday

Phone Advising, March 22-April 5 - 403.220.3580: 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm: Monday-Friday

In-Person, March 18-20: 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm

Email Advising Questions:

artsads@ucalgary.ca

Please note we are virtual on Thursdays & Fridays.

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General advising

For general questions, you have the option of emailing ascarts@ucalgary.ca or dropping into our virtual front desk.

Virtual Front Desk Hours:

  • 9am to 12pm and 1pm to 4pm: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday
  • 1pm to 4pm: Thursday

An ASC staff member will be available to answer your question via the chat function or by video.

Enter virtual front desk