History
- Athabasca University was established by Order in Council of the Government of Alberta on June 25, 1970.
- Originally conceived as a traditional campus-based institution, AU changed course in 1972 through a pilot project to test the concept of an open, distance university.
- The first AU course, World Ecology, was offered in 1973, and AU's first Convocation, for two graduates, was held in 1977.
Education
- Athabasca University is committed to excellence. The University offers 90 graduate and undergraduate degrees, diplomas, and certificate programs, and more than 700 university courses in the sciences, social sciences, humanities, interdisciplinary studies, business and administrative studies, nursing, and commerce.
Research
- AU is committed to excellence in research and scholarship. Through the discovery, dissemination and transfer of new knowledge and the engagement of students at both the undergraduate and graduate levels, the university integrates research with creative teaching, thereby informing the curriculum and providing opportunities for highly qualified graduates to promote innovation and to participate more fully in society.
- Mission critical research in the scholarship of teaching and learning in open and distance environments is the primary focus of AUs research activity; however, the university also actively supports and maintains high standards in discipline-based research.
Career
AU Counselling Services offers Career Cruising for registered students. This resource provides assessment tools, goals & career exploration activities, as well as, a résumé builder.Explore career options using these resources, which contain information on duties, working conditions, skills, education, salary, employment prospects and opportunities.
- Occupation information
- Program career options
- Education and training options
Short Courses
Business & Management (18)
- Certificate Coach Approach for Leadership Development
- Certificate Communication and Conflict Resolution
- Certificate Crafting a Digital Strategy
- Certificate Digital Transformation Leadership
- Certificate Dream Teams
- Short Course Elevate Your Personal Brand
- Certificate Essential Skills for Leaders
- Certificate Implementing a Digital Future
- Certificate Leader Development
- Certificate Leadership in Action
- Certificate Leading Others
- Certificate Leading Processes
- Certificate Leading Self
- Certificate Leading Transformational Change
- Certificate Leading for Legacy
- Certificate Leading with Authenticity
- Short Course Navigating Extraordinary Times
Computer Science & IT (7)
- Certificate Artificial Intelligence Ethics
- Short Course Artificial Intelligence Ethics - An Introduction
- Short Course Artificial Intelligence Ethics - Data
- Short Course Artificial Intelligence Ethics - Roboethics
- Certificate Decoding Disruptive Technologies
- Certificate Using Machine Learning for Competitive Advantage
Engineering & Technology (5)
- Certificate Alternative and Innovative Energy
- Short Course Artificial Intelligence Ethics - Roboethics
- Short Course Fossil Fuels
- Certificate Innovative and Diversified Energy Resources
Humanities (5)
- Certificate Artificial Intelligence Ethics
- Short Course Artificial Intelligence Ethics - An Introduction
- Short Course Artificial Intelligence Ethics - Data
- Short Course Artificial Intelligence Ethics - Roboethics
Education & Training (3)
- Certificate Coach Approach for Leadership Development
- Short Course Purpose and Flow - Future-Proof Your Goals
Environmental Studies & Earth Sciences (3)
- Short Course Earth Materials, Environment, and Energy Resources
- Certificate Environmental Impact Assessment
- Short Course Regenerative Design
Social Sciences (3)
- Short Course Accessible Spaces 101
- Certificate Communication and Conflict Resolution
- Short Course Embracing Allyship and Inclusion
Arts, Design & Architecture (1)
- Short Course Regenerative Design
Student services
- Advising and counselling
- Library
- Academic services
- FInancial aid and scholarships
Library services
- The Athabasca University provides its students with a fully-equipped library. It is a unique studying environment where hard cover books and online materials blend together in order to create the appropriate learning sorrounding.
ICT services
- To develop a reliable mechanism that will provide support to ITS clients in a organized, efficient manner. To use the staff and computing resources within ITS to the best advantage for clients and ITS staff.
Campus life
- Athabasca University (AU), Canada’s Open University, is a publicly funded university in the province of Alberta, Canada. AU is one of the world’s foremost and fastest growing online and distance education specialists, serving 40,000 students worldwide.
- As an open university, AU strives to eliminate barriers that prevent people from pursuing university studies. By providing access to flexible online and distance learning, AU helps people continue their studies regardless of where they live, their educational backgrounds, and their career or family obligations.
- AU is committed to innovation, flexibility in learning, and excellence in teaching, research, and scholarship.
Student clubs
- The Athabasca University Students’ Union (AUSU) is an independent, student-run society representing the undergraduate students of Athabasca University.
- We serve nearly 40,000 members annually in home-study locations across Canada and internationally. In any given month, our membership is about 26,000 active students.
- Athabasca University is accredited by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, 3624 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19104. (267-284-5000). The Middle States Commission on Higher Education is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.