| Individualized study, the most common method of teaching and learning
at AU, provides the greatest flexibility to set your own study
schedule. You can work at home or in your workplace using a complete
learning package. Each course is developed by a course production
team of subject matter experts, editors, and visual designers.
Each package, called learning resources, is a complete, user-friendly
learning system that may include, for example, a textbook, a study
guide, audiocassettes, and a reading file. Many courses have
an optional or required computer component that is noted on the course
syllabus.
Your Tutor
Students who choose the individualized-study method are assigned
qualified tutors. Your tutor will assist you throughout the course,
either by
phone or e-mail. Individualized-study tutors offer subject-matter
assistance, engage in scholarly discussion, mark assignments, provide
feedback, and help you prepare for exams.
You can call your tutor, toll-free, from anywhere in Canada or
the US during established tutor hours, or you can leave a voice-mail
or e-mail message at any time.
AU individualized-study tutors are committed to helping you learn
at a distance. After you register in an individualized-study course,
and
before your course start date, you will receive a letter containing
your tutor's name, address, e-mail address, phone number,
and tutoring hours. If you don't receive your tutor letter
one week before your course start date or if you have misplaced
it,
contact
Learning Services Tutorial as soon as possible.
Never feel reluctant to contact your tutor. He or she is your main
link with AU.
Although Athabasca University is open 12 months of the year, tutors
are entitled to vacation time, which normally occurs during summer
months. There may be some situations in which your tutor will not
be available but this would be for 10 business days or less. When
absences of longer than 10 business days are necessary, alternate
arrangements will be made for you.
Online Courses
Many AU courses require that you have access to a computer and the
Internet. Others may use the Internet as an optional component to
enhance the course.
Online courses are designed to be completed at home or in the workplace
and are delivered using a variety of distance education media. Students
who choose courses with required online components must have access
to a personal computer with an Internet connection and an e.mail
account.
Each course syllabus indicates the method of delivery and hardware
and software specifications, if required. Please review this detailed
list of AU's online courses and computer requirements.
Call Centre
With some AU courses, you will be provided toll-free telephone
access to a Call Centre, if you live with Canada and the US. The
Call Centre is the heart of the School
of Business course delivery, and often the first contact for
students registered in business courses.
Course Fees and Materials
The payment of course fees entitles students to receive most learning resources. Learning resources include, but are not limited to, texts, student manuals, study guides, tutorial assistance where provided, and other instructional materials required to complete the course for the period of active registration.
Miscellaneous fees for small items such as binders, calculators,
home lab materials, etc., may be associated with many AU courses,
and are the responsibility of the student.
Course Start Dates
AU's individualized-study courses generally begin on the
first day of each month throughout the year. The Office of the Registrar
will process completed registration forms that are received
by 4:30
p.m. MT on the tenth day of the previous month for a subsequent
month start date.
Remember to consider postal, courier, and processing times
when a particular start date is desired.
Each individualized-study course registration has an official
start date, the first day of a month, and the course concludes
at the
end of the active registration or contract date. Students
are considered actively registered in a course until the
course
is completed,
the
contract date expires, or the student withdraws.
All students are encouraged to register by the first day
of the month before their desired start month to allow for
the
arrival
of their
learning resource package.
Individualized-study students
may preregister for courses up to 6 months in advance of
the intended
start date.
Your learning resource package will be sent as soon as your
registration or preregistration request is processed. Tutor
contact, however,
is not be available until the course's official start
date.
Contract Period
Most individualized-study students
have 6 months to complete 0-, 3-, or 4-credit courses and
12 months to complete 6-credit courses. Individualized-study
courses
may
be extended 3 times for a period of 2 months each for
a 0-, 3-, 4-,
or 6-credit
course. Refer to Section 6.15.
Course Extensions.
Contract Period: Funded Students
If you are a Canadian student receiving student loans (either provincial or federal) you must complete your 3-credit course in 4 months and your 6-credit course in 8 months. Refer to Section 5.11.2. Financial Assistance for details.
Maximum Course Load
Full-time students may take from 3
to 5 courses at once. To ensure
students don't overburden themselves,
AU normally limits each
student's course load to a maximum
of 6 courses. Students with full-time jobs or those new
to distance learning may find
it advisable to start with one course.
Registering in a Course
If you are a new student to AU, you must complete the Undergraduate
General Application Form before you register in a course.
Once you are admitted to AU, your student demographic information
is entered into AU's system. A student account is created and you
are issued a student ID number. Using this number, you can <<
Login >> to the Online Registration System and
all other online services offered by AU.
AU has prepared a self-assessment questionnaire “Am I Ready
for Athabasca University?” to help new students determine
whether distance learning is suitable. The questionnaire is online,
or to order a copy, phone the Information
Centre.
If you are an active student, one who is currently registered in
an AU course or have completed (or withdrawn from) an AU course
within the previous 12 months, or you have completed courses on
a Letter of Permission from AU, please Login using the left-hand
menu bar << Login >> link on the Course Registration
Form.
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