Athabasca University

Distance Learning

Athabasca, Alberta, Canada

DISTANCE LEARNING PROGRAM

Athabasca University, Canada's largest online and distance education university, delivers courses and programs at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The flexibility of online and distance learning allows students to complete courses and full credential programs on a full-time or part-time basis. Students may also complete Athabsca University courses to satisfy the graduation requirements at other universities and colleges. AU courses are accessed by more than 30,000 individuals annually.

DELIVERY MEDIA

Athabasca University uses a variety of learning methods, including multimedia online activities, print materials, e-mail, the Internet, CD-ROMs, computer software, audio conferencing, video conferencing, audiotapes, videotapes, TV, and radio. Any particular course might use a combination of these methods. Students have support from professors, tutors, advisers, and service departments through contact by e-mail and telephone (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.).

PROGRAMS OF STUDY

Graduate degree and diploma programs offered are the Master of Arts–Integrated Studies, Master of Business Administration (with majors in information technology management and program management), Master of Counselling (collaborative), Master of Distance Education, Master of Health Studies, Master of Nursing, Master of Science–Information Systems, Advanced Graduate Diploma in Advanced Nursing Practice, Advanced Graduate Diploma in Distance Education (Technology), and Advanced Graduate Diploma in Management.

Undergraduate degrees offered are the Bachelor of Administration (concentrations in health administration, industrial relations and human resources, management, organization, and public administration); Bachelor of Arts (three and four year) with concentrations or majors in anthropology, English, French, history, humanities, information systems, labour studies, political economy, psychology, sociology, women's studies, or Canadian studies; Bachelor of Commerce; Bachelor of Commerce: e-commerce major; Bachelor of General Studies with designation in arts and science or applied studies; Bachelor of Health Administration and Bachelor of Health Administration Post-Diploma; Bachelor of Human Resources and Labour Relations; Bachelor of Management (three and four year and post-diploma); Bachelor of Nursing (post-RN); Bachelor of Nursing (post-LPN); Bachelor of Professional Arts (B.P.A.): governance, law, and management major; B.P.A.: criminal justice major; B.P.A.: communications major; B.P.A.: human services major; Bachelor of Science; Bachelor of Science in human science (major or post-diploma); Bachelor of Science in computing and information systems; and Bachelor of Science in computing and information systems (post-diploma).

Athabasca University (AU) was created as a publicly funded and fully accredited university under the statutes of the Province of Alberta, Canada. Athabasca University specializes in the delivery of distance education courses and programs.

Athabasca University's mission statement reflects a commitment to innovation, flexibility, excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship. Emphasis has also been placed on international development.

Athabasca University is a full member of the Association of Universities and Colleges of Canada, the Association of Commonwealth Universities, the International Council for Open and Distance Education, the Canadian Association for Distance Education, Canadian Association for Graduate Studies, Canadian Virtual University, Circumpolar Universities Association, Global University Alliance, Inter-American Distance Education Consortium, Smart Education Society, and Western Governor's University (participant). AU has been awarded candidacy status for U.S. accreditation by the Commission on Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools. Details are available at http://www.athabascau.ca/main/accredit.html.

Athabasca University's Executive M.B.A. (EMBA) has been included on the prestigious list of the world's top seventy-five EMBA programs by the Financial Times of London, England. Launched as the world's first online M.B.A. in 1994, the AU program is the only fully online Executive M.B.A. to be included in this year's list.

University certificate programs are offered in accounting, administration, advanced accounting, career development, computers and management information systems, computing and information systems, counseling women, English language studies, French language proficiency, health development administration, home health nursing, industrial relations and human resources, labour studies, and public administration.

University diploma programs in arts and inclusive education are also offered.

SPECIAL PROGRAMS

Canadian Virtual University (CVU) is an innovative partnership of Canada's leading English and French universities. Students can select from among 2,000 courses in the CVU catalogue and apply them to programs at any partner university. There are also fee savings for students who take courses from more than one partner university. For easy searching of courses and complete programs, students should visit CVU's Web site (http://www.cvu-uvc.ca). Athabasca University is a founding partner in CVU.

AU's many partnerships with various institutions and organizations provide a multitude of learning options for students. Approximately twenty of these alliances are international (Japan, China, England, Jamaica, Mexico, Malaysia, Trinidad, South Africa, and Taiwan). For a current list, students should visit http://www.athabascau.ca/html/collab/collab.htm.

STUDENT SERVICES

AU takes pride in providing exceptional service to students. Service departments, including the Information Centre, Academic Centres, Learning Centres, Office of the Registrar, Course Materials, Computing Services, and Library Services offer service, information, and advice. The first point of contact for questions is the Information Centre at 800-788-9041 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.) or 780-675-6100 (international). Students can also visit the new IntelliResponse system (http://www.askau.ca) for a quick answer to most general questions.

CREDIT OPTIONS

Athabasca University grants credit for approved courses completed at other recognized postsecondary institutions, and its credits are eligible for transfer to programs at other universities worldwide. Some students can apply for a Prior Learning Assessment, which evaluates nonformal university-level learning for credit toward a credential. Athabasca University courses are generally either 3 credits or 6 credits. Typically, a three-year degree program requires 90 credits and four-year degree programs require 120 credits.

FACULTY

Athabasca University employs 247 faculty members and 249 tutors. Academic staff members and tutors contribute to Athabasca University's high student satisfaction rating.

ADMISSION

Undergraduate admission is year-round, and anyone 16 years of age or older is eligible for admission, regardless of previous educational experience, with or without a high school diploma. (A few programs and courses may have academic or geographic restrictions). The admission requirements for graduate programs is typically a baccalaureate degree from a recognized postsecondary institution. Additional requirements vary between programs. Students should consult the calendar or Web site for information.

TUITION AND FEES

It is important to note that textbooks, course materials, and fees are included in the tuition fee. The cost for undergraduate 3-credit registration is Can$541 (in province), Can$596 (out of province), and Can$791 (international); for 6-credit registration, Can$930 (provincial), Can$985 (out of province), and Can$1180 (international). Graduate program fees vary by program, so students should consult the calendar or visit the Web site for graduate fee information.

FINANCIAL AID

Financial assistance is available to full-and part-time students from Alberta Students Finance or the financial aid agency where a student resides. The amount varies according to need. In-province students obtain a financial aid package from Athabasca University. Out-of-province students should contact the financial aid agency in their locale. All students are automatically considered for academic awards and scholarships without application unless specified otherwise. Award recipients are announced twice per year at Convocation.

CONTACT

Athabasca University Information Centre
1 University Drive
Athabasca, Alberta T9S 3A3
Canada
Telephone: 780-675-6100 800-788-9041 (toll-free in Canada and the U.S.)
Fax: 780-675-6437
E-mail: [email protected]
Web site: http://www.athabascau.ca

APPLYING

Admission to undergraduate programs is year-round. Applicants should consider postal and processing times when a particular starting time is desired. To apply, students should complete a General Application Form and Course Registration Form and submit them with applicable fees. Forms are available in the calendar, by fax, or on the Web. Graduate programs have application deadlines, which can be found on the calendar or the Web site listed below.