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1.1 Mission Statement

Athabasca University, Canada's Open University, is dedicated to the removal of barriers that restrict access to, and success in, university-level studies and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for adult learners worldwide.

We are committed to excellence in teaching, research and scholarship, and to being of service to the general public.

 

     
1.2

About Athabasca University

Athabasca University is Canada's largest, and most flexible, open and distance education provider. More than 30,000 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. Our courses and programs are designed to be completed at home or in the workplace, in print and online. Your course materials will be mailed or couriered, or they will be available to you online the day your course begins.

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 many of the learning resources.

Try navigating the Services for Students site by using the "timeline" tool to select a point in the Athabasca University student experience.

 

     
1.2.1 Our Courses

At Athabasca University you will set your own study schedule using the learning resources provided by the University. Each course is unique, prepared by a team of authors, editors, designers, and print production specialists. Most courses and programs at Athabasca University are offered through a combination of print-based and online material, with many courses offered almost entirely online.

The type and amount of online activity varies among courses from participating in computer conferencing to developing student Web site projects and accessing learning materials in electronic format. 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.

You will be assigned a tutor or a learning facilitator who will assist you throughout the period of active registration in your course. Grouped study courses, the University's term for traditional classroom study, are ideal for learners who prefer the structure of a classroom and the support of other students. Refer to Sections 6 and 9.

 

     
1.2.2   Online Calendar

This is Athabasca University's official 2005-2006 online Calendar. The print and online Calendars are very similar in content and you may reference either source. Both Calendars have the same effective dates: September 1, 2005 to August 31, 2006. In the event of any discrepancies between this official online Calendar and its print publication counterpart, the online Calendar will apply.

 

     
1.2.3  Important Changes

Effective September 1, 2005, all individualized study students who require an extension to their course, must complete and submit the Extension Request Form to the Office of the Registrar, or complete the form online, a minimum of 30 days before the course contract end date.

Students are no longer required to pay a fee when changing programs or when requesting a Letter of Permission from Athabasca University.

To recognize Alberta's centennial, the Alberta Government is paying to Athabasca University (AU) a portion of AU's course registration fee for Alberta residents starting AU undergraduate courses between September 1, 2005 and August 31, 2006. The course registration fee that appears in Section 5 has already been reduced to reflect this government initiative.

 

     
1.2.4  Information Centre

Athabasca University 's Information Centre provides one point of contact for all telephone inquiries. You may phone the Information Centre toll-free from anywhere in Canada or the United States, at 800.788.9041. If the Information Centre attendant can't answer your question, he or she will forward your call to the appropriate person.

“Ask AU” will provide you a quick answer to most general questions about Athabasca University. If the answer cannot be provided, your query will be forwarded to the appropriate department.


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 • Information effective Sept. 1, 2005 to Aug. 31, 2006.
 • Links: Web Unit, Privacy & Conditions. © Athabasca University.


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