Athabasca Distance Learning

Athabasca distance learning programs are very popular throughout Canada. With an intake of over 30,000 students per year, and an unmatched reputation for delivering high quality online courses and degrees, Athabasca University has firmly established itself as Canada's premiere Open University. The University is known to be very dedicated to improving educational standards and has always been a leader in designing innovative course curriculums that are perfect for online learning.

Over 200,000 students have registered for distance learning courses and programs at Athabasca ever since the University was first established by the Government of Alberta in 1970. In 2004 the International Council for Open and Distance Education awarded the University the Institutional Prize of Excellence. Athabasca distance learning programs also have the unique distinction, amongst courses offered by Canadian Universities, of being the first to receive accreditation status in the United States.

Courses

The Athabasca Distance Learning division conducts online courses in liberal arts, science and several professional fields, which include Accounting, Business Administration, Biology, Chemistry, Career Development, Computer Science, Criminal Justice, Theology, Women's Studies, Nursing and Health Studies, and much more. Some of the more popular masters degree programs offered include:

Master of Arts - Integrated Studies
Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Master of Counseling
Master of Distance Education
Master of Health Studies
Master of Nursing
Master of Science - Information Systems

Owing to the reputation of Athabasca distance learning programs, individual courses taken at Athabasca can be transferred to several other institutions, for fulfilling credit requirements.

Course Registration

To enroll for an Athabasca distance learning course, you would have to complete either the Undergraduate General Application Form or the Graduate Application Form, in which you would furnish details about your prior educational achievements and specify if you have any credits earned from coursework that you completed in some other university.

Financial Aid

Financial assistance is available to part-time and full-time students from their local financial aid agencies. Full-time students are eligible for loans, grants and scholarships. Part-time students who have completed fewer than nine credits in a four-month period or eighteen credits in an eight-month period are also eligible for bursaries, loans and grants. The amount of financial aid varies according to the needs of individual students registered with Athabasca distance learning degree programs.

To formally submit an application for aid to the University, you would need to furnish documents related to your academic history, as well as furnish proof that you are in need of financial assistance and would not be able to continue your education otherwise.

Additionally, it is very important to note that processing of financial aid applications usually take up to twelve weeks from the time that complete documentation is submitted. So you should apply for funding a minimum of three months before your anticipated course start date. In fact, the earlier you submit, the better would be your chances of getting aid, subject to the fulfillment of other pre-requisites.

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