9.6. Advanced
Graduate Diploma
in Distance Education (Technology)
The Advanced Graduate Diploma in Distance Education (Technology)
(AGDDE[T]) is intended for practitioners who are interested specifically
in issues related to the use of technology in distance education
and training, but who do not intend, at least initially, to pursue
the Master of Distance Education degree. The AGDDE(T) provides usable
skills and applicable knowledge in the use of educational technology
for distance and virtual learning, along with a basic grounding
in distance education concepts and principles. The program also
provides some student choice in the selection of courses.
Admission Requirements
Applicants to the AGDDE(T) program must hold a baccalaureate degree
from a recognized post-secondary education institution.
Application Procedure
- Complete and submit the AGDDE(T) Application Form along with
the non-refundable application fee. Contact the Centre
for Distance Education.
- Complete and submit the AGDDE(T) Application Questionnaire
and submit an up-to-date résumé.
- Submit official transcripts* directly from an accredited institution
showing the granting of a bachelor's degree.
*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 Canada and the US, documentation attesting to its equivalence
to a Canadian baccalaureate is required. Such documentation can
be obtained from
International
Qualifications Assessment Services
4th Floor, Sterling Place
9940-106 Street
Edmonton, AB T5K 2V1
E-mail: iqas@gov.ab.ca
- Submit three letters of recommendation**; at least one should
be from someone who is familiar with the applicant's academic
skills.
**It is the applicant's responsibility to notify his
or her referees, that, in accordance with the Province
of Alberta's Freedom of Information and Protection of
Privacy Act, the information contained in the letter of
reference is not considered to be confidential
and it may be viewed by the applicant upon request. Contact
Dr. Bob Spencer,
Program Director, MDE, Centre for Distance Education,
for more information. |
The Centre for Distance Education must receive all application materials
by March 1 for consideration for admission into the program starting
in September of the same year.
Credit Requirements
Eighteen credits (six courses) are required to complete the
AGDDE(T).
Program Status
To maintain program status, students must complete six credits
of course work during each academic year (September 1 to August
31). In core courses, the lowest acceptable grade is "B-".
Students who receive a grade lower than "B-", or receive
more than one grade of "B-" or lower, may be required
to withdraw from the program.
In elective courses, the lowest acceptable grade is "C+".
Students who receive a grade lower than "C+", or receive
more than one grade of "C+" or lower, may be required
to withdraw from the program.
Residency
To meet the residency requirements, students must complete a
minimum of three courses (nine credits), including the two core
courses, through Athabasca University.
Relationship to MDE Program
Students completing the AGDDE(T) may apply for admission to the MDE
program. If admitted, all credits completed by the student towards
the AGDDE(T) will be accepted for credit towards the MDE degree.
Students considering the diploma should be aware that admission
to the MDE program is highly competitive. AGDDE(T) graduates must
compete with other qualified applicants for admission to the degree
program.
AGDDE(T) students take their courses alongside MDE students, and
are required to complete the same activities and achieve the same
standard. Courses are designed to encourage self-study either at
home or in the workplace. Students will be supplied with a basic
course package of print and other media (e.g., textbooks, study
guides, audiocassettes, videotapes) for each course.
In addition, students are expected to use computer mediated
communications for the following purposes:
- instructor and student-to-student interactions in computer conferences;
- e-mail, both within and outside of the course structure;
- file transfer or file attachment of assignments and feedback between
instructor and students and between students on joint projects; and
- accessing electronic databases (e.g., AU's Library).
Required Core Courses
MDDE 601 Introduction to Distance Education
and Training (3)
MDDE 603 Systems Design in Distance Education
(3)
Prescribed Options (minimum of three required)
MDDE 604 Instructional Design and Program
Evaluation in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 610 Introduction to Technology in
Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 615 Human Factors in Educational
Technology (3)
MDDE 620 Advanced Technology for Distance
Education and Training (3)
MDDE 621 Online Teaching and Learner
Support Technologies in Distance Education (3)
Students may choose one additional course from the MDE category.
Note: AGDDE(T) students are not allowed to register in MDDE
660, MDDE 696 or MDDE 690-691. Students should be aware that some courses
in the MDE catalogue are currently only offered once a year. Generally,
core courses should be taken first in the program (especially if the
student has limited distance education background).
AGDDE(T) courses are generally available as follows:
Fall term: 601*, 603* 604, 610, 621.
Winter term: 601*, 603*, 604, 615, 620.
Spring/summer term: 601*, 603*, 604, 610.
*Required courses. Refer to the course offerings and course
descriptions in the MDE program section for details about courses.
Permission of the program director is required before courses are taken
for AGDDE(T) program credit outside Athabasca University.
Advanced Standing
Some students may have completed work at other post-secondary institutions
that is applicable to the AGDDE(T) program. After admission, a committee
will review such work to determine if the student should be awarded
advanced standing, and whether "not-to-take" restrictions for equivalent
specific courses in the AGDDE(T) program should be imposed. Students
seeking advanced standing will be required to submit official transcripts
(if these were not submitted in support of their application for admission)
and the appropriate evaluation fee to the MDE program director for review.
Students will also be required to submit detailed course descriptions
for such courses. Failure to supply transcripts or detailed course descriptions
(if required) shall result in no advanced standing being awarded. Students
will not be awarded advanced standing for courses previously used towards
the granting of another credential.Contact the Centre
for Distance Education for more information.
Transfer Credit
Students enrolled in the AGDDE(T) program may take courses from
other post-secondary institutions in fulfilment of the program
requirements, provided such courses are applicable to Athabasca
University's AGDDE(T) program. Students wishing to take courses
from other institutions must submit the following to the MDE program
director for review:
- a Letter of Permission Request Form,
- a written request,
- detailed course outlines, and
- the appropriate Letter of Permission fees.
If approved, the Office of the Registrar will issue a Letter
of Permission. To allow mailing time, requests for a Letter of
Permission should be made at least one month before the registration
deadline at the institution where the student will be taking the
course. Upon completion of the course, the student must submit
an official transcript to the AGDDE(T) advisor in order to obtain
credit for the course.
Program Delivery
The program is offered during three semesters each year. The fall
semester begins the second Monday in September. The winter semester
begins the second Monday in January. The spring/summer session begins
the last Monday in April. Each semester is 13 weeks in lenght. All course
work should be completed during the semester periods. Extensions to
these timelines may be granted if circumstances warrant through the
granting of an Incomplete (INC). Refer to Course-related
Procedures.
2002 |
July 1 |
Canada Day, University closed. |
July 5 |
Last day for program students to register in 2002 fall session
courses. Registration fees are due. |
Aug. 5 |
Civic Holiday, University closed. |
Sept. 2 |
Labour Day, University closed. |
Sept. 9 |
First day of fall session courses. |
Oct. 9 |
Last day for early withdrawal from fall session courses.
No record of the course will appear on the transcript. |
Oct. 14 |
Thanksgiving, University closed. |
Nov. 6 |
Last day for late withdrawal from fall session courses.
Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. |
Nov. 11 |
Remembrance Day, University closed. |
Nov. 12 |
Last day for program students to register in 2003 winter
session courses. Registration fees are due. |
Dec. 6 |
Last day of fall session courses. |
Dec. 24/02-
Jan. 2/2003 |
The University will close at 3 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 24, 2002
and will reopen 8:30 a.m. Thursday, Jan. 2, 2003. |
|
2003 |
Jan. 13 |
First day of winter session courses. |
Feb. 13 |
Last day for early withdrawals from winter session courses.
No record of the course will appear on the transcript. |
Feb. 17 |
Family Day, University closed. |
March 1 |
Last day for receipt of application materials for admission
to the program starting in September 2003. |
March 3 |
Last day for program students to register in 2003 spring/summer
session courses. Registration fees are due. |
March 11 |
Last day for late withdrawal from winter session courses.
Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. |
April 11 |
Last day of winter session courses. |
April 18-21
(inclusive) |
Easter break. University closed. |
April 28 |
First day of spring/summer session courses. |
May 19 |
Victoria Day, University closed. |
May 28 |
Last day for early withdrawal from spring/summer session
courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript.
|
June 25 |
Last day for late withdrawal from spring/summer session
courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing.
|
July 1 |
Canada Day, University closed. |
July 25 |
Last day of spring/summer session courses. |
In order to participate in the program, each student must have ready
access to the following minimum computer hardware and software.
Minimum Hardware
|
Recommended |
Pentium-class PC |
P-200 or higher |
64 MB RAM |
128 MB RAM or higher |
1GB free disk space |
2GB free disk space |
CD-ROM |
32-speed CD-ROM |
Sound card and speakers |
Soundblaster or compatible
sound card, speakers and microphone |
56 KB Internet connection |
High-bandwidth Internet connection
(ADSL, cable or satellite) |
Printer |
Laser, inkjet or bubble colour printer |
Zip or other back-up system |
Zip or other back-up system |
|
Scanner |
|
Fax machine |
Minimum Software
| Recommended
|
Windows |
Windows 98 or 2000 |
Word, Excel |
Microsoft Office |
Netscape or Internet Explorer |
Netscape 4.7 or Internet Explorer 5.5 |
Current antivirus protection |
Current antivirus protection |
PCs are the primary equipment supported by Athabasca University's
Help Desk. Only limited assistance for other hardware and software
platforms is offered. Students are responsible for their own communication
costs such as long distance telephone charges and subscriptions
to an Internet node, or any other communications service requirements.
Students should complete the core courses in the prescribed sequence.
Elective courses may be taken on completion of the core courses
or concurrently with the core courses offered in any term. Students
will be required to complete a program plan for review by the diploma
advisor to ensure conflicts or delays are avoided.
Incomplete
In exceptional circumstances, and where the course instructor
concurs, students may be assigned a grade of Incomplete (INC).
This allows students to take an additional two months to complete
and submit the course work. Two months after the original course
completion date, a grade will be assigned to the course. If the
required course work has not been submitted, a failing grade ("F")will
be assigned.
Reregistration
Students may reregister in a course only if they have received
a final grade of "B-" or lower in a core course or more
than one final grade lower than "B-" in an elective
course, or if they have withdrawn from the course in good standing.
In reregistering, students must complete all course requirements
and pay the full course fee. Students are permitted only one reregistration
in each course. Both the initial registration and the reregistration
will appear on the student's academic record.
Course
Students may withdraw from a course up until one month before the
end of the semester (refer to Academic Schedule)
by completing and submitting a Withdrawal Request Form. The date of
withdrawal will be the postmark on the request or, if the notice is
hand-delivered or faxed, the University date stamp. Students may also
request a withdrawal from a course by e-mail provided the request is
confirmed in writing.
If a student withdraws from a course within the first month of
the course start date, the record of registration will be deleted
from his or her official transcript. If a student withdraws from
a course after the first month of the course start date and before
the last month of the course, the official record and transcript
will show that the student withdrew without credit and without
prejudice or academic penalty and no refund will be issued.
Program
Students may withdraw from the program by submitting their request
in writing to the program director. Students who withdraw may
be re-enrolled in the program by following the application procedures.
Students requesting re-admission to the program will be competing
against all other applicants and will not receive special consideration.
Students will receive a refund of the full course fees minus the
course withdrawal processing fee (see AGDDE(T) program
fees) if they withdraw from the course within the first month of the
course start date. Students should not return their course materials.
Students wishing to withdraw from a course(s) before the first day of
class will receive a partial refund (full tuition minus the withdrawal
processing fee).
Grading System
All courses will be graded using the following scale.
A+ |
90 - 100% |
A |
85 - 89% |
A- |
80 - 84% |
B+ |
77 - 79% |
B |
74 - 76% |
B- |
70 - 73% |
C+ |
67 - 69% |
C |
64 - 66% |
C- |
60 - 63% |
F |
0 - 59% |
INC |
Incomplete status |
W |
Withdrawn in good standing |
Completion Time Limits
Students have a maximum of three years from their first registration to
complete the AGDDE(T) program.
All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject
to change. |
Program application fee (non-refundable) required
each time a person applies: $ 50
Admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program): $100
Course Tuition Fee (includes all required materials)
Students living in Canada: $875
Canadians living outside of Canada: $980
International students living outside of Canada: $1,080
International students (students authorization) living in Alberta:
$1,750
Other Fees
Evaluation fee: $55
International evaluations: $110
Letter of Permission fee: $20
Transcript fee: $10
Withdrawal processing fee: $300
The withdrawal processing fee includes the cost of course materials
and an administrative fee for processing the request. There will be
no refund for returned course materials. The total tuition cost for
a Canadian student living in Canada, who takes all his or her courses
from Athabasca University, would be $5,250 ($875 x 6, three-credit courses
or equivalent). Application and admission fees not included in the above
calculation.
Refer to the complete course descriptions
in the MDE program.
Library Services
Athabasca University Library
also serves the needs of graduate students.
Tuition and Education Tax Credit Receipts Information
Application and tuition fees can be used to reduce income tax.
Only fees paid and expended during the calendar year can be reflected
in the tax receipt. Canada Customs and Revenue Agency regulations
permit the University to issue an education tax credit receipt
only for amounts greater than $100. In February, T2202 tax forms
for the educational tax deduction, along with the tuition tax
receipts, are mailed to the address on record. Full-time students
may be eligible for the education tax credit for each month of
full-time registration.
Regulations and Appeals
Athabasca University policies and regulations governing academic
conduct and appeals apply to all students. Refer to Section
12 Student Code of Conduct and Right to Appeal.
Athabasca University's policies and regulations governing academic
conduct and appeals apply to all students. Refer to Section
5 Undergraduate Admission, Transfer Credit, and Assessments.
AGDDE(T) Advisor
Centre for Distance Education
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
(800) 788-9041 (ext. 6179) Canada/US
(780) 675-6179 Other
Fax: (780) 675-6170
E-mail: mde@athabascau.ca
** This page is an official publication of Athabasca
University **
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