Athabasca University is a public canadian open university that runs majorly online. Founded in 1970, it is one of the first Canadian online unversities. AU is committed to proffering educational distinction, offering 850 courses in more than 55 undergraduate and graduate programs, spanning arts, science and business.
Found in Athabasca, Alberta Canada, its goal is to remove barriers on access to education. It is a world leader in online distance and blended learning.
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HISTORY OF ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY
Athabasca University (AU) was founded in 1970 by the Government of Alberta as a public research university. It was originally conceived as a traditional campus-based institution, but in 1972, the university changed course and began to focus on distance education. This was a bold move at the time, as distance education was still a relatively new concept. However, AU’s gamble paid off, and the university quickly became a leader in the field of distance learning.
The first AU course, World Ecology, was offered in 1973. The university’s first Convocation, for two graduates, was held in 1977. AU achieved self-governing status as Alberta’s fourth public university on April 12, 1978.
In the early years, AU’s courses were delivered through a variety of media, including correspondence, audiotapes, and videotapes. However, the university has always been at the forefront of technological innovation, and in the 1990s, it began to offer its courses online. Today, AU is one of the leading online universities in the world, and its courses are delivered through a variety of digital platforms.
AU has a strong focus on adult learners, and its courses are designed to be flexible and convenient. Students can study at their own pace, and they can access AU’s courses from anywhere in the world. AU also offers a variety of support services to help students succeed, including online tutoring, library resources, and career counselling.
In recent years, AU has expanded its offerings to include graduate programs, professional development courses, and continuing education programs. The university also has a strong research focus, and its faculty are active in conducting research in a variety of fields.
Today, AU is a thriving university with a global reach. It has over 50,000 students from over 100 countries. AU is known for its innovative approach to distance education, its focus on adult learners, and its strong research focus. The university is committed to providing high-quality education to students around the world.
Some of the key milestones in AU’s history include:
- 1970: AU is founded by the Government of Alberta.
- 1973: The first AU course, World Ecology, is offered.
- 1977: AU’s first Convocation, for two graduates, is held.
- 1978: AU achieves self-governing status as Alberta’s fourth public university.
- 1990s: AU begins to offer its courses online.
- 2000: AU’s satellite campus in Fort McMurray closes.
- 2010: AU’s student body reaches 50,000.
- 2020: AU celebrates its 50th anniversary.
AU is known for:
- Its innovative approach to distance education.
- Its focus on adult learners.
- Its strong research focus.
- Its global reach.
AU’s mission is to:
- Provide high-quality education to students around the world.
- Promote lifelong learning.
- Advance knowledge and understanding.
- Serve the needs of Alberta and Canada.
AU’s vision is to be:
- The leading global university in distance education.
- A university of choice for adult learners.
- A university that is recognized for its research excellence.
- A university that is committed to social responsibility.
COURSES OFFERED AT ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY
Athabasca University offers a wide variety of courses across a range of disciplines. Here is a list of the departments and their respective courses:
Arts and Humanities
- Anthropology
- Communication Studies
- English
- History
- Indigenous Studies
- Languages
- Literature
- Philosophy
- Political Science
- Psychology
- Sociology
Business and Management
- Accounting
- Business Administration
- Economics
- Finance
- Human Resources Management
- Information Systems
- Marketing
- Operations Management
- Organizational Behaviour
Education
- Curriculum Studies
- Educational Leadership
- Educational Psychology
- Elementary Education
- Higher Education
- Language Education
- Mathematics Education
- Science Education
- Secondary Education
Health and Human Services
- Counselling Psychology
- Early Childhood Education
- Gerontology
- Health Administration
- Health Promotion
- Human Resource Development
- Nursing
- Occupational Health and Safety
- Social Work
Science and Technology
- Biology
- Computer Science
- Environmental Science
- Mathematics
- Physics
- Psychology
- Statistics
Professional Studies
- Criminology
- Disaster and Emergency Management
- Indigenous Governance
- Legislative Drafting
- Management Information Systems
- Public Administration
- Sustainable Development
Continuing Education
- Certificate Programs
- Diploma Programs
- Graduate Certificates
- Graduate Diplomas
- Graduate Degrees
This is just a sample of the courses offered by Athabasca University. For a complete list of courses, please visit the university’s website.
Note: The number of courses offered by each department may vary.
ATHABASCA UNIVERSITY TUITION AND PAYMENT OPTIONS
Tuition and fees at Athabasca University vary depending on the student’s residency status, the number of credits they are taking, and the program they are enrolled in.
Canadian students
- Undergraduate tuition: \$324 per credit
- Graduate tuition: \$432 per credit
- Application fee: \$100
International students
- Undergraduate tuition: \$648 per credit
- Graduate tuition: \$864 per credit
- Application fee: \$125
In addition to tuition, students may also be required to pay other fees, such as:
- Student services fee: \$120 per year
- Library fee: \$40 per year
- Technology fee: \$25 per year
Students can pay their tuition and fees in a variety of ways, including:
- Credit card
- Debit card
- E-transfer
- Cheque
- Money order
Payment plans
Athabasca University offers a variety of payment plans to help students make their tuition payments more manageable. These plans include:
- Full payment: Students must pay their full tuition and fees in full by the due date.
- Installment plan: Students can pay their tuition and fees in installments over a period of up to 12 months.
- Financial aid: Students who qualify may be able to receive financial aid to help pay for their tuition and fees.
For more information on tuition and fees at Athabasca University, please visit the university’s website.
Athabasca University is a leading online university with a global reach. It offers a wide variety of courses across a range of disciplines, and its courses are designed to be flexible and convenient. Students can study at their own pace, and they can access AU’s courses from anywhere in the world. AU also offers a variety of support services to help students succeed, including online tutoring, library resources, and career counselling.
If you are looking for a university that offers high-quality education and flexibility, Athabasca University is a great option. The university has a strong reputation for its innovative approach to distance education, and its graduates are highly successful in their careers.
To learn more about Athabasca University, please visit the university’s website.
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