Program Overview

General Arts and Science – Liberal Arts Ontario Tech University Transfer

Program Overview

Criminology, community development and communication are just a few of the areas covered under Liberal Arts. This eight-month program helps students determine their area of interest while strengthening communication and thinking skills, sharpening academic skillsets, and increasing social science and liberal studies knowledge. Successful graduates may be eligible for advanced standing into Year Two of Ontario Tech University’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminology and Justice, Legal Studies, Liberal Studies, Community Development and Policy Studies, Psychology or Communication and Digital Media Studies. This program also helps students familiarize themselves with post-secondary life, workload, expectations and surroundings.

Intakes and Availability

• September 2025: Open (Domestic), Closed (International)

Program Highlights

• Resources:
  • 2025 Program Guide
  • Attend a DC Information Webinar
  • Financial Aid Information

Admission Requirements

• Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or Mature Student Status
• Grade 12 English (C or U)

Are you missing admission requirements? We are here to help.

• Durham College (DC) offers pre-admission assessment testing to mature domestic applicants to meet admission requirements in English and/or math.
• DC also offers Academic Upgrading. Courses are FREE and designed to help you meet the admissions requirements for this program.

Tuition

• Year one domestic: $2,722 (CAD)
• Year one international: $15,309 (CAD)

Semester 1 Courses

• Academic Writing for Success Strategies (COMM 2715)
• Introduction to Computer Applications (COMP 1701)
• Politics In Canada (GNED 1302)
• Foundations for Academic Success (PREP 1100)
• Introduction to Psychology - An Applied Science (PSYC 1106)
• Introduction to Sociology (SOCI 1407)

Semester 2 Courses

• Academic Writing Success Applications (COMM 3715)
• Critical Thinking Skills (CRIT 1700)
• Canadian Law (GNED 1308)
• Intro to Psyc - A Behavioural Science (PSYC 1117)
• Special Topics In Sociology (SOCI 1472)
• Statistics I (STAT 1108)

Career Options

As a graduate, you may use your newly acquired transferable skillset to pursue employment opportunities or to further your studies in other college diploma, advanced diploma, or university degree programs. Some General Arts and Science courses may also be transferable to other post-secondary programs.

Program Transfer, Degree Completion and Additional Credentials

Qualified graduates can apply to Ontario Tech’s Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Criminology and Justice, Legal Studies, Liberal Studies, Community Development and Policy Studies or Communications and Digital Media Studies and may also be eligible to apply their academic credits towards further study through Durham College’s partnerships with many Canadian and international colleges and universities.

Tech Requirements

• Processor: i3
• RAM: 4GB
• Storage: 256GB SSD
• Operating System: Microsoft Windows 10 Professional or Education x64 SP1
• Internet Browser: Google Chrome (newest version) or Firefox (newest version)
• Network Adapter: 802.11ac 2.4/5 GHz wireless adapter
• Camera: Webcam/built-in camera
• Internet connection

Program Learning Outcomes

1. Design ongoing strategies and plans for personal, academic and career development.
2. Acquire specific academic skills which are needed for success in a future program of studies.
3. Develop, through general knowledge gained in a wide range of subjects, insight into both self and society.
4. Extend flexibility and clarity of both thought and expression in order to increase communications competence to a level required by business and industry.
5. Understand and utilize critical thinking processes and problem solving techniques
6. Examine and evaluate various aspects of our changing society to assist in developing a sense of personal and social responsibility as a citizen in society.

Costs

• Year 1 Costs:
  • Semester 1:
    • Tuition: $1,361.02
    • Program Fee: $0
    • Ancillary Fee: $493.77
    • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $430
    • Total: $2,284.79
  • Semester 2:
    • Tuition: $1,361.02
    • Program Fee: $0
    • Ancillary Fee: $493.77
    • DCSA Ancillary Fee: $120
    • Total: $1,974.79

Land Acknowledgement

Durham College is situated on the traditional lands of the First Peoples of the Mississaugas of Scugog Island First Nation. These lands are covered under the Williams Treaties and rest within the traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg. We offer our gratitude to the Indigenous Peoples who care for and, through the treaty process, share the lands on which we live, learn, teach and prosper today.