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About Athabasca University
Athabasca University is Canada's largest and most
flexible open and distance education provider. More than 32,000
students are studying undergraduate courses and approximately 3,000
students are enrolled in graduate degrees.
Athabasca University offers opportunity—a university
education to people regardless of where they live or work. We believe
where there is a will to learn, there must be a method of delivering
educational opportunity. Course materials will arrive at your door
or be available online enabling you to learn without leaving your
home or workplace. Because Athabasca University is not a campus-based
institution, there are no long registration line-ups to contend
with.
The University has more than 510 undergraduate courses,
37 undergraduate programs, and 14 graduate programs. Our courses
are designed to be completed at home or in the workplace, in print
or online.
Athabasca University offers the lowest-cost degree-track
courses of any institution in Alberta. The University's tuition
rates are competitive with other Canadian institutions because tuition
includes the cost of books and much of the learning resources, and
students need not incur the costs of leaving their homes or jobs.
Students set their own study schedules, using learning
resources provided by the University. Each course is unique, prepared
by a team of authors, editors, designers, and print production specialists.
Many courses can be completed almost entirely online. Most courses
use texts and student manuals, and may include a variety of online
components—streamed audio or video components, online quizzes
and exams, chatrooms, asynchronous and synchronous learning activities—all
designed to help meet the learning objectives of each course.
Students are assigned a tutor or a learning facilitator
who can assist them throughout the period of active registration
in the course.
Our Students
Many Athabasca University students are employed and
studying part time. The majority of our students are between the
ages of 25 and 45, but Athabasca
University courses attract students of any age group.
Visiting students—students enrolled at other
universities and colleges—comprise the largest single group
at Athabasca University. More than 6,000 new students annually take
one or more Athabasca University courses to complement their studies
at other post-secondary
institutions.
Other students take courses either for general interest
or to complete their degree. Our year-round course registration
policy means students can take courses during the summer months
when campus-based universities and colleges may have limited
course options available.
Admission
As an open university, Athabasca University has only
one formal entrance requirement for its undergraduate students;
they must be 16 years of age or older.
Students are not required to have a high school diploma.
Students under the age of 16 are required to provide specific permissions
described in Section 6.1.
Athabasca University's year-round admissions
policy is one of its most popular student features. The University
admits individualized study students at the beginning of every month.
Your course begins the following month provided you register before
the tenth day of the
previous month.
The grouped study (seminar) courses follow a more
traditional semester system and usually have September and January
start dates.
Forms
Admission and course registration forms are available
online.
Undergraduate Programs
The University offers an extensive list of
undergraduate programs that increases each year.
We also have block-transfer agreements with partner
institutions around the world that provide easy access to degree
completion opportunities that build on previous educational achievements.
Refer to Section 9.
Athabasca University courses and programs are accessible to students
who cannot attend a traditional campus university. Wherever you are
based—even if you are hundreds of miles from a town or living
overseas—you can attend Athabasca University. Learners can study
any of the home-based courses at the times of day and week that suit
them.
Graduate Programs
Athabasca University has an extensive list of graduate
programs that has tripled in size over the past five years. The
University's Graduate Program Calendar is available online.
Fees
Athabasca University is affordable, not simply because
our fees are among the lowest in Canada (Athabasca University fees
include the cost of books and much of the learning resources), but
because taking an Athabasca University course means many of our
students won't have to leave their home or workplace.
All first-time students of Athabasca University are
required to complete and submit the Undergraduate General Application
Form accompanied by a $60 fee. You are not required to submit this
fee again.
Athabasca University course fees are paid on a course-by-course
basis. Course fees include the cost of books and the learning resources.
The payment of course
fees entitles students to receive these materials.
Miscellaneous fees for small items such as binders,
calculators, home lab materials, etc., may be associated with many
Athabasca University courses, and are the responsibility of the
student.
Computer Requirements
Access to a computer with basic word processing and
Internet access is often required. Refer
online for minimum and optimal computer requirements. Students
are responsible for their own communications costs, such as long-distance
telephone charges and subscriptions to an Internet Service Provider, or any
other communications service requirement.
Academic Regulations
When you complete and submit your Undergraduate General
Application Form, in print or online, you are agreeing to abide
by the rules and regulations of Athabasca University as outlined
in the Athabasca University Calendar. Your knowledge and acceptance
of Athabasca University's academic regulations and procedures
is your contract with the University.
As an Athabasca University student, you are also
required to familiarize yourself with Athabasca University's academic
regulations. The “Student
Code of Conduct and Right to Appeal” regulations brochure
is issued when you are admitted to Athabasca University. We're here
to help. If you experience difficulties accessing information or
if you require clarification on any subject, please contact the
Information Centre.
Athabasca University makes every reasonable effort
to provide its students with a successful university experience.
The “Expect
the Best” brochure, issued when you are admitted to Athabasca
University, identifies the service standards to which you are entitled.
If you have suggestions on how we could improve our service to you,
please let us know.
Online Calendar
Athabasca University's 2004-2005 online Undergraduate
Calendar is the official version. The University's print and online
Calendars are very similar in content, and students have the option
of using either format. In the event of any discrepancies between
the print version and the official online Calendar, the online Calendar
will apply.
Where do I Begin?
As a prospective Athabasca University student, we suggest that
you first determine the type of student you are (new, returning,
senior citizen) by reviewing Section
6. What are your goals? Do you need the help of a counsellor
or advisor?
Begin by selecting your desired course(s) or program,
and, if you are a new student to Athabasca University, complete
two forms: the General
Application Form (completed once only) and the Undergraduate
Course Registration Form.
Within days of applying, registering, and paying
for your course, and depending on your geographic location, your
learning resources will arrive at your door. If you are registering an online course, much or all of your learning material will be available online, but it will not accessible until the actual course start date. E-mail or
telephone access with your tutor begins the day your course officially
starts, usually the first day of the following month. The registration
process is explained fully in Section
6.
Terminology
Distance and online learning in general, and Athabasca
University in particular, have developed specific terminology. Refer
to Section 12, Glossary.
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