Non-Program Students Application Procedure

Please read the entire application procedures carefully prior to commencing with your application.

Non-program Application Deadlines

The following deadlines apply to non-program applications:

• July 31st for Fall Session courses (September to December)
• November 30th for Winter Session courses (January to April)
• March 31 for Spring Session courses (May to August)

Late applications will not be reviewed and will be forwarded to the next available session.
Visiting students and prospective students who have not yet been admitted to the PBCDA program may be permitted to register in PBCDA courses for which they have the appropriate prerequisites in up to three courses on a first-come, first-served basis, space permitting.

Courses taken as a non-program student can be applied towards a SCIS graduate program, if and when a student becomes a program student. Grades on courses completed as a non-program student will be considered in the admission process. However, successful completion of courses as a non-program student does not guarantee admission into a SCIS graduate program.

Non-program Application Requirements

Non-program students must meet the following application requirements:

• hold a baccalaureate degree in computer science, information systems, or a related area, or
• hold a baccalaureate degree and have significant professional-level experience with information systems (defined as follows: "Experience must be in a role requiring the use of a significant level of IT knowledge where a high level of independent judgment and responsibility are exercised"), or
• hold the CIPS ISP designation or equivalent (Canadian IT Professional [CITP] or Certified Computing Professional [CCP] designation).

These requirements must be met by the application deadlines.

Application Procedure

Applications for admission as a non-program student to PBCDA are submitted online, including payment of the application fee.

1. Complete the Application to the Faculty of Graduate Studies online through the Registrar's Office at Athabasca University.

IMPORTANT: If you have been a student at Athabasca University (AU) or have received an AU student ID number as part of a previous application:

1. You must first login by clicking the Login link (left-hand side, under the General heading);
2. Click on Graduate Application and complete the required steps;
3. Be sure to select “Non-Program Application for the School of Computing and Information Systems”
4. You will be required to pay the non-program Application fee if you have not previously been an Athabasca University Student.

2. Proceed to the SCIS Graduate Student Admission System.
3. Select the "School of Computing and Information Systems Non-Program" option to start your non-program application.

   Complete all components of the online non-program application. Each component must be finalized.

4. Click on the "Proceed to Final Review" button in the checklist after all components have been completed and submitted. At that point you will no longer have access to view or modify your application.
5. You can make changes or additions to your application at any time prior to the application deadline (and prior to submitting your application for final review). You will be able to track completion of various components of the online application through an online Application Checklist.
   
   To check your application status, log into your Portal and click on the link titled "SCIS Graduate Student Admission System".
6. The status of your application will appear as "Under Review" if all steps have been completed and the application has been submitted for final review.
7. If the status of your application appears as "Review Complete", your application has been processed. Click on the link beside your status to review the results of your application.

   Track receipt of hardcopy documents and the status of your application online through the online Application Checklist. It is your responsibility to ensure that all components of your application package have been received by the application deadline. Allow sufficient time prior to the deadline for receipt of transcripts, credential assessments (if required), and CIPS ISP designation or equivalent.

8. In addition to the online application, you must submit :
• Copies of your transcripts
• CIPS ISP designation or equivalent
• World Education Services (WES) or International Qualifications Assessment Services (IQAS) ((if required))

Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents. If the credential being submitted has been earned outside North America, documentation attesting to its equivalence to a North American baccalaureate is required. Such documentation can be provided through:

• NACES - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.
  Contact NACES at: naces@ierf.org
• CICIC - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
  
• AACRAO - American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers.
  Contact IES at: (202) 296-3359 or email: ies@aacrao.org

When requesting an assessment please select the assessment type that includes a description of course work that lists the courses completed towards credential.
Please note that a student's application file will automatically go inactive 12 months after the initial application date, if the student does not proceed with the application process and/or there has not been any contact with the School of Computing and Information Systems.

Ensure that all documentation is directed to:

• Email:  fst_grad_success@athabascau.ca
• Fax: (780) 675-6148
• Mail

SCIS Graduate Office
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
Canada


Note: All transcripts, references, test scores, and other documents become the property of Athabasca University and will not be returned to the applicants or forwarded to another program or institution.