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North American Studies (BA in Combination)

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Explore the ties that bind Canada, the United States and Mexico together. Study North America as a distinct historical, cultural, political and economic entity, and Canada’s particular place on the continent. Focus your studies in one of four key areas: business and economy, culture and identity, public policy or Indigenous Peoples. You’re encouraged to do an exchange and study at partner universities in the U.S. and Mexico.

This program must be combined with another Bachelor of Arts program.

Apply Your Learning

Make the most out of your university career by taking advantage of all that Laurier has to offer you. Volunteer work, campus clubs, leadership programs, studying abroad, work experience – there are so many ways you can extend your classroom experience into the real world.

Here are just a few examples of the experiences you can add to your North American Studies program:

  • Study abroad for an academic term by completing an exchange with our international university partners in the United States at Georgia Southern University and Mexico at Tecnológico de Monterrey, campus Ciudad de Mexico.
  • Add translation courses through our French or Spanish programs to gain practical experience that you can add to your resume.
  • Combine your North American Studies program with a program, like Global Studies or Political Science, and apply for co-op at the end of your first year.

Check out the North American Studies Experience and Career Guide for more!

 

2022 graduates who secured employment or went on to postgraduate studies

 

Laurier ranks in the top 6 percent of universities worldwide*

 

students who gained hands-on learning experiences at Laurier in 2022

*Center for World University Rankings (CWUR)

Admissions

Format: full time or part time      Duration: four years     Start: September (fall term) or January (winter term)     OUAC code: UH

Your Next Steps

Apply Now Strengthen Your Application Important Dates

Program Options and Courses

Design Your Degree

This program must be completed in combination with another Bachelor of Arts program. You can easily pair your studies with Communication Studies, English, Film Studies, Global Studies or Women and Gender Studies, among others.

In addition, you can add an option or minor that will allow you to broaden your knowledge. A few examples of popular options and minors include:

  • Global Studies Minor
  • History Minor
  • International Public Policy Option
  • Legal Studies Option
  • Management Option
  • North American Studies Minor
  • Research Specialization

Check out other options to enhance your degree.

First-Year Courses

  • Billionaires, Beavers, and Banditos
  • 4.5 elective credits in courses that interest you

Sample First-Year Electives

  • Introductory French
  • Mapping Global Studies: Culture, Conflict, Development
  • Studying Popular Culture

Sample Upper-Year Courses

  • Canadian Identities and Cultures
  • Managing Borders and Boundaries in North America
  • North American: Business & Society
  • Canadian-American Relations
  • Indigenous Peoples and Public Policy

Similar Programs

Community Service-Learning

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Community Service-Learning (CSL) courses at Laurier integrate service in the community with what you are learning in your classes. Placements are approximately 10 weeks and take place on a weekly basis from the second week of classes to the final week, typically for two hours per week.

CSL placements consist of volunteering at a local community service, such as a soup kitchen or a children's treatment centre. It’s a great way to apply classroom knowledge and gain practical experience in your field of study. Build your resume, develop your network, and graduate with experience.

Interested? Learn more about Community Service-Learning.

Tuition and Scholarships

Getting a university education is an investment in your future.

At Laurier, we take financial health seriously by providing a wide variety of funding opportunities for you throughout your degree, such as scholarships and bursaries, and by equipping you with the skills to manage your finances effectively in the years to come.

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"The program has outstanding professors that encourage their students to be involved in class and assist them in finding personal areas of interest. Likewise, the smaller nature of classes within the program allows students to get to know their professors."

Caitlyn McComb, North American Studies graduate

Your Career Awaits

It’s not only about the journey; it’s about the destination. Let us help you get to where you’re going.

Here are just some examples of our graduates' destinations. What’s yours?

Sample Career Options

Note: Additional training and education may be required.

  • cultural affairs officer
  • demographer
  • diplomat
  • immigration officer
  • international business consultant
  • market research analyst
  • political correspondent
  • public policy analyst

Explore more careers.

Support After Graduation

Alumni for life means that you have access to Career and Employment Support offered at Laurier for your entire career.

Waterloo Campus

The Waterloo campus is tucked into about one city block, so you’re steps away from your classes, food and your new favourite study spot.

There are many ways to tour our Waterloo campus, whether that's on a guided tour with one of our Laurier student ambassadors, on your own using virtual reality, or even on-demand through one of our pre-recorded tours. See our campus spaces and start to picture yourself at Laurier.

Interested in More Info?

Email chooselaurier@wlu.ca, call 548.889.8888 or see all contact information.

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