Honors B.A. in Human Relations and Spirituality Saint Paul University

Would you like to better understand the complexity of the human mind and spirit? Do you want to experience a life of high-quality relationships with yourself, others, the world around you, the transcendent? Are you interested in psychological and spiritual development, social justice, and the meaning of life?

If so, Saint Paul University offers you an Honours Bachelors of Arts with Specialization in Human Relations and Spirituality (60 units). Excellent preparation for graduate studies in the School of Counselling, Psychotherapy, and Spirituality!

The core courses in these programs are designed to develop:

• Greater effectiveness in interpersonal communication.
• An understanding of psycho-spiritual development as well as different cultural and spiritual traditions.

The study of human relations involves two main disciplines: human sciences (particularly the study of human behavior) and spirituality. Interpersonal relationships can be based on companionship, love, solidarity, professional affiliation, or other kinds of social interaction. The program’s spirituality component examines our relationship with a supreme being as well as with each other.

Offered by the Faculty of Human Sciences, the Human Relations and Spirituality undergraduate program is the only one of its kind in Ontario. It investigates such topics as social justice, human development, acceptance of diversity, inclusiveness, and humanism.

In addition to the foundational courses,* the program teaches students about the psychological, sociological, cultural, spiritual, and religious aspects that influence both the individual and society.

*The foundational courses are a compulsory part of every bachelor’s degree program offered at Saint Paul University.

What you’ll learn

During your studies, you will learn to describe and compare key concepts and theories in human sciences, and explain how spirituality can both help and hinder our growth as human beings. You will also discover the different cultural and spiritual traditions. You will learn how to analyze issues critically and objectively, and to describe and explain the main qualitative and quantitative methodologies used in the field.

Foundational Courses (12 units)

Compulsory Courses: 12 units

• Approaches in the Humanities: Interpreting the Human Experience
• People, Social Justice and Ecology
• Critical Analysis, Reading and Writing Academic Works
• The First Peoples of Canada

Discipline-Specific Courses (60 units)

Compulsory courses: 45 units

• Introduction to Group Dynamics
• Group Intervention and Active Listening
• Human Behavior and Spirituality: Theoretical Foundations
• Human Behavior and Spirituality: Empirical Observations
• Perspectives on Psycho-Social Human Behavior
• Research Methods and Ethics in Human Sciences (Qualitative Approach)
• Research Methods in Human Sciences (Quantitative Approach)
• Developmental Psychology, Spirituality, and Religiosity from Childhood to Adolescence
• Developmental Psychology, Spirituality, and Religiosity from Adulthood to Old Age
• Psychology of Spiritual Experience
• Theories of Personality
• Cultural Diversity and Religious Pluralism
• The Helping Relationships and Ethical Considerations
• Basic Skills and Concepts in Counselling and Spirituality
• Psychopathology: Causes and Impact on Human Relationships and Spirituality

Optional Courses: 15 units

6 units from:

• Introduction to Conflict Studies
• Inequality, Conflict and Social Justice
• Internship I
• Special Topics in Human Relations and Spirituality I
• Positive Psychology and Spirituality

6 units from:

• Psychological Impacts of Conflicts
• The Spiritual Dimensions of Leadership and Group Facilitation
• Family and Spirituality
• Drugs and Behaviour
• Ethics, Multiculturalism, and Immigration
• Ethics and Religion

3 units from:

• Internship II
• Special Topics in Human Relations and Spirituality II
• Research and Directed Work

Elective Courses (48 units)

Students choose 48 units or complete a minor (30 units) and 18 units.

12 units must be at the 3000 or 4000 levels.

Potential Opportunities

Our undergraduate program prepares students for jobs in the community and humanitarian organizations, schools, church settings, in the area of human resources, and other related fields.

Honors Bachelors of Arts with Specialization allows you to pursue graduate studies in areas such as counseling, psychotherapy, social work, and human resources development.

Career opportunities

• Aid worker
• Community worker
• Emergency response officer
• Employment counselor
• Employment equity policy consultant
• Facilitator
• Human rights officer
• Immigration advisor
• Lobbyist
• Outreach worker
• Probation and parole officer
• Social policy analyst
• Street outreach worker
• Trainer for ecclesial communities and organizations