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6.2 Individualized Study Courses

Individualized study is the most common method of teaching and learning at Athabasca University. Each course is developed by a course production team of subject matter experts, editors, and visual designers, and each is unique in its high quality and methods of delivery.

In your course package, you will receive a variety of items identified in the online course syllabus. The materials for some courses may be entirely online. You may require additional items to complement your course, such as stationery, binders, calculators, etc., and you must provide these at your own cost.

Most courses may have optional or required computer components.

 

6.2.1 Maximum Course Load

Full-time students may be actively registered in one to six courses at a time. To ensure that you do not overburden yourself, Athabasca University limits your course load to a maximum of six active courses. If you have a full-time job or are new to distance learning, we suggest you start with one course.

 

 
6.2.2 Registration Process

When you have chosen a course, ensure that it is available by viewing the online course syllabus Web site. Ensure that you have any required prerequisites, as noted on each online syllabus, before you register.

Complete an Undergraduate Course Registration Form.

If you are an active student, login to myAU.

If you are an inactive student returning to register in another course, you may still access myAU and follow the “reactivation” procedure. If you encounter any difficulties while reactivating, contact the Information Centre.

Total your course and general application fees (new students only). If you prefer to apply by mail, forward your cheque, credit card information, or money order payable to Athabasca University. Your general application and/or course registration form will not proceed without the correct payment.

Approximately one week before your course start date, you will receive a welcome letter and confirmation of your registration. If confirmation is not received within this time, contact the Information Centre.

You may also register at an Athabasca University Learning Centre in Athabasca, Edmonton, or Calgary, Alberta.

     
6.2.3

Registration Deadlines

Athabasca University's individualized study courses are offered year-round. The courses generally begin on the first day of each month, however, you must submit your completed Undergraduate Course Registration Form on or before the tenth day of the month before your requested start date. 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 month before your requested start date.

Remember to consider postal, courier, and processing times when a particular start date is desired. Overseas students are usually assigned course start dates one month later than students living in Canada or the US. Refer to Section 6.6.2.1.

     
6.2.4

Course Contract Dates

Each individualized study course has a specific contract start date and end date. You will have six months, beginning on your start date, to complete zero-, one-, three-, or four-credit courses and 12 months to complete six-credit courses. Your course end date is the last day of your individualized study course. Course end dates fall on the last day of a month.

Extensions are available (refer to Section 6.16). Students completing courses using provincial and federal student financial assistance are given different timelines. Refer to Section 5.13.

You are considered actively registered in your course until you have completed the course, the contract date expires, or you withdraw. Your learning resources package will be sent as soon as your registration or preregistration request is processed, however, tutor support and the writing of examinations cannot begin until the official course start date.

     
6.2.5

Learning Resources

The payment of course fees entitles you 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. You may be required to pay for additional small items such as binders, calculators, home lab materials, and so on.

     
6.2.6

Your Tutor

Your tutor will assist you throughout your course either by phone or e-mail. Tutors offer subject-matter assistance, engage in scholarly discussion, mark assignments, provide feedback, and help prepare you for your examination.

You may contact your tutor on the course start date, but not before. You may call your tutor, toll-free, from anywhere in Canada or the United States, during established tutor hours, or you can leave a voice-mail or e-mail message at any time.

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 tutor hours.

There are two methods that this information will be made available to you. If you request a printed letter, the letter will be sent via regular post. If you choose the e-letter option, you will not receive a printed tutor letter. You will access these letters online through the myAU student portal.

If you have not received your tutor letter or e-letter one week before your course start date, or if you have misplaced your letter, contact Learning Services Tutorial as soon as possible. Refer to Section 8.15.

Most Athabasca University School of Business courses provide access to a Call Centre and academic experts rather than individual tutors. When you register in an individualized study School of Business course that uses the Call Centre model, you will receive a letter with the Call Centre's toll-free telephone number before your course start date.

Because of vacation time, normally during the summer months, your tutor may not be available for up to ten business days. In case of absences of longer than 10 business days, other arrangements will be made for you.

Never feel reluctant to contact your tutor. He or she is your main link with Athabasca University.

     


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 • Information effective Sept. 1, 2005 to Aug. 31, 2006.
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