Except for the design studios, the Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA) courses completed through Athabasca University (AU) are delivered by individualized study; a self-directed learning environment. Students will communicate with their course professor via telephone and email and send assignments over the Internet through Moodle. These courses may be taken year-round, and will begin on the first day of every month. Students will have six months to complete a three-credit course.
However, the three virtual Design Studio courses (designated "ADST") are completed within a paced group study delivery method.
Students will require access to a computer with configurations and software as outlined in the computer requirements. As instructional support is provided through an online environment, it is important that students have regular and reliable INTERNET access.
Students who cannot complete their course on or before their course contract end date may apply for an extension by submitting an Extension Request Form along with the applicable fee.
Students may apply for one extension only per course on or before the original course contract end date. The extension starts on the first day following the original course contract end date. An extension provides students with an additional two months with full instructor support. The schedule for completing the course within the extension period is the responsibility of the student.
One extension per course will be granted to any one student. If the required course work has not been submitted by the end of the extension period, a failing grade will be assigned.
Students may withdraw from a course by filling out the Course Withdrawal Request Form only if the final examination has not been written.
Students may withdraw from a course within 30 days of their course start date for a refund of the full course fee less the Withdrawal Processing fee. The registration will not appear on the transcripts and will be deleted from the official record. The student should not return the course materials.
Students may withdraw from a course at any time up to the end of the original course end date without academic penalty. A “W” will appear on the transcript which means a student has withdrawn without credit and without prejudice. There is no refund and course materials should not be returned.
If a student does not formally withdraw from the course before the course end date, and does not complete the course, the official record will reflect an “F” (Failure). A grade of zero will be assigned and calculated into the cumulative average. There is no refund and course materials should not be returned.
Students will receive a refund of the full course tuition fee minus the course withdrawal processing fee (refer to Fees) if they withdraw from the course within the first month of the course start date. Students wishing to withdraw from a course(s) before the first day of class will receive a partial refund (full tuition fee minus the withdrawal processing fee).
All courses will be graded using the Alpha/4.0 grading scale.
Please review the Graduate Grading Policy and Academic Records FAQ for more information on grading scales.
Information effective September 1, 2020 to August 31, 2021.
Updated April 14 2021 by laurab
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