Graduate Certificate in Information Security

Applicants for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Information Security (GC InfoSec) program must:

• Hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree in computer science, information systems, or a related area, or
• Hold a minimum of a baccalaureate degree and have significant professional-level experience with information technologies, or
• Hold the Canada’s Association of I.T. Professionals Information Systems Professional (CIPS ISP) designation or equivalent.

If the potential applicant does not have a degree, but believes his or her education and experience is equivalent to an undergraduate degree, then it is the responsibility of the applicant to provide adequate documentation to support their request as part of the application process. The admission committee will review the supporting documentation to determine applicant’s eligibility to the entry in the program.

Applications for program admissions will be considered only if the applicant has full and unrestricted Internet access.

If academic credentials are more than 5 years old, it is the applicant's responsibility to provide evidence that they have worked in an IT field within the past 5 years and that their knowledge and skills are current.

Transfer credit

Some applicants to the program may have completed graduate level course work at other post-secondary institutions that is applicable to the GC InfoSec program. For details on policy and procedures related to transfer credit, please refer to the Graduate Transfer Credit Policy.

English language proficiency

There are minimum English language proficiency requirements allowed for admission to a graduate program at Athabasca University. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet the minimum requirements.

Please read all the application procedures carefully prior to commencing with your application. You may want to print a copy for your reference.

Application deadlines

There are 2 program intakes per year. The SCIS Graduate office must receive all application materials by March 1 for admission to the program for Fall semester, and by October 1 for consideration to the program for the Winter semester.

Application procedures

Applications for admission to the Graduate Certificate in Information Security (GC InfoSec) Program are submitted online, including payment of the application fee.

• Complete the Application to the Faculty of Graduate Studies online through the Registrar's Office at Athabasca University.
  
  IMPORTANT: If you have been a student at Athabasca University (AU) or have received an AU student ID number as part of a previous application:
  • You must first login by clicking the Login link (left-hand side, under the General heading);
  • Click on Graduate Application and complete the required steps;
  • Be sure to select "Application for Graduate Certificate”
  • Then select Major “Information Security".
  • You will be required to pay the GC InfoSec Program Application fee.
• Proceed to the SCIS Graduate Student Admission System.
• Select the "Graduate Certificate in Information Security (GC InfoSec)" option to start your application.
  
  Complete all components of the online GC InfoSec Program application. Each component must be finalized.
• Click on the "Proceed to Final Review" button in the checklist after all components have been completed and submitted. At that point you will no longer have access to view or modify your application.
• You can make changes or additions to your application at any time prior to the application deadline (and prior to submitting your application for final review). You will be able to track completion of various components of the online application through an online Application Checklist.
  
  To check your application status, log into your myAU Portal and click on the link titled "Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Management Graduate Student Admission System".
• The status of your application will appear as "Under Review" if all steps have been completed and the application has been submitted for final review. All applications will be reviewed for approval during the two week period prior to the Course Registration deadline (please see below). Note that telephone confirmation will not be provided.
• If the status of your application appears as "Review Complete", your application has been processed. Click on the link beside your status to review the results of your application.
  
  Track receipt of hardcopy documents and the status of your application online through the online Application Checklist. It is your responsibility to ensure that all components of your application package have been received by the application deadline. Allow sufficient time prior to the deadline for receipt of letters of reference, transcripts, credential assessments (if required), and CIPS ISP designation or equivalent.
• In addition to the online application, you must submit one complete package containing all the supplementary application materials:
  
  Transcripts
  Request that the institution you graduated from send an official transcript(s), including the date of graduation, the Bachelors degree granted, and any graduate-level courses you have completed to the Office of the Registrar. Transcripts must be received directly from the accredited institution(s).
  
  Assessments
  Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents. If the credential being submitted has been earned outside North America, documentation attesting to its equivalence to a North American baccalaureate is required. Such documentation can be provided through:
  
  • NACES - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
    Contact NACES at: naces@ierf.org
  • CICIC - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
  • AACRAO - American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
    Contact IES at: (202) 296-3359 or email: ies@aacrao.org
  
  
  When requesting an assessment please select the assessment type that includes a description of course work that lists the courses completed towards credential if you would like to be considered for Advanced Standing.
  
  Letters of reference
  
  All letters of reference must be sent directly to fst_grad_success@athabascau.ca as an attachment by the referees to the School of Computing and Information Systems. Athabasca University will not accept letters of reference not received directly from referees. Applicants may download the GC InfoSec Reference Template to send to the referees:
  
  * It is the applicant's responsibility to notify his or her referees, that, in accordance with the Province of Alberta's Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the information contained in the letter of reference is not considered to be confidential and it may be viewed by the applicant upon request. For more information, contact us.
  • CIPS ISP designation or equivalent
  • World Education Services (WES) or International Qualifications Assessment Services (IQAS), if required
  • For applicants without Canadian citizenship: Photocopy of either permanent resident documentation or study authorization/permit will need to be provided.

Please note that a student's application file will automatically go inactive 12 months after the initial application date, if the student does not proceed with the application process and/or there has not been any contact with the School of Computing and Information Systems.

Students, once admitted as program students, will be considered to have MSc IS program status. Where applicable, the following official documentation must be received before your application can be processed.

Ensure that all documentation is directed by mail or courier to:

Office of the Registrar
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
Canada

Note: All transcripts, references, test scores, and other documents become the property of Athabasca University and will not be returned to the applicants or forwarded to another program or institution.

Please read the entire application procedures carefully prior to commencing with your application.

Non-program application deadlines

The following deadlines apply to non-program applications:

• July 31st for Fall Session courses (September to December)
• November 30th for Winter Session courses (January to April)
• March 31 for Spring Session courses (May to August)

Late applications will not be reviewed and will be forwarded to the next available session.

Visiting students and prospective students who have not yet been admitted to the Graduate Certificate in Information Security (GC InfoSec) program may be permitted to register in GC InfoSec courses for which they have the appropriate prerequisites in up to three courses on a first-come, first-served basis, space permitting.

Courses taken as a non-program student can be applied towards a SCIS graduate program, if and when a student becomes a program student. Grades on courses completed as a non-program student will be considered in the admission process. However, successful completion of courses as a non-program student does not guarantee admission into a SCIS graduate program.

Non-program application requirements

Non-program students must meet the following application requirements:

• hold a baccalaureate degree in computer science, information systems, or a related area, or
• hold a baccalaureate degree and have significant professional-level experience with information systems (defined as follows: "Experience must be in a role requiring the use of a significant level of IT knowledge where a high level of independent judgment and responsibility are exercised"), or
• hold the CIPS ISP designation or equivalent (Canadian IT Professional [CITP] or Certified Computing Professional [CCP] designation).

These requirements must be met by the application deadlines.

Application procedure

Applications for admission as a non-program student to GC InfoSec are submitted online, including payment of the application fee.

• Complete the Application to the Faculty of Graduate Studies online through the Registrar's Office at Athabasca University.
  
  IMPORTANT: If you have been a student at Athabasca University (AU) or have received an AU student ID number as part of a previous application:
  • You must first login by clicking the Login link (left-hand side, under the General heading);
  • Click on Graduate Application and complete the required steps;
  • Be sure to select “Non-Program Application for the School of Computing and Information Systems”
  • You will be required to pay the non-program Application fee. Proceed to the SCIS Graduate Student Admission System.
• Select the "School of Computing and Information Systems Non-Program" option to start your non-program application.
  
  Complete all components of the online non-program application. Each component must be finalized.
• Click on the "Proceed to Final Review" button in the checklist after all components have been completed and submitted. At that point you will no longer have access to view or modify your application.
• You can make changes or additions to your application at any time prior to the application deadline (and prior to submitting your application for final review). You will be able to track completion of various components of the online application through an online Application Checklist.
  
  To check your application status, log into your Portal and click on the link titled "SCIS Graduate Student Admission System".
• The status of your application will appear as "Under Review" if all steps have been completed and the application has been submitted for final review.
• If the status of your application appears as "Review Complete", your application has been processed. Click on the link beside your status to review the results of your application.
  
  Track receipt of hardcopy documents and the status of your application online through the online Application Checklist. It is your responsibility to ensure that all components of your application package have been received by the application deadline. Allow sufficient time prior to the deadline for receipt of transcripts, credential assessments (if required), and CIPS ISP designation or equivalent.
• In addition to the online application, you must submit :
  • Copies of your transcripts
  • CIPS ISP designation or equivalent
  • World Education Services (WES) or International Qualifications Assessment Services (IQAS), if required
  Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents. If the credential being submitted has been earned outside North America, documentation attesting to its equivalence to a North American baccalaureate is required. Such documentation can be provided through:
  • NACES - National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
    Contact NACES at: naces@ierf.org
  • CICIC - Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials
  • AACRAO - American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admission Officers
    Contact IES at: (202) 296-3359 or email: ies@aacrao.org
  When requesting an assessment please select the assessment type that includes a description of course work that lists the courses completed towards credential.
  Please note that a student's application file will automatically go inactive 12 months after the initial application date, if the student does not proceed with the application process and/or there has not been any contact with the School of Computing and Information Systems.
  
  Ensure that all documentation is directed to:
  • Email: fst_grad_success@athabascau.ca
  • Fax: (780) 675-6148
  • Mail:

  Office of the Registrar
  Athabasca University
  1 University Drive
  Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
  Canada

  Note: All transcripts, references, test scores, and other documents become the property of Athabasca University and will not be returned to the applicants or forwarded to another program or institution.

There are 2 program intakes per year. The MScIS office must receive all application materials by:

• March 1 (for consideration to the program for the Fall session)
• Oct. 1 (for consideration to the program for the Winter session)

Registration to grouped study courses are only available during the following periods:

• Feb. 1 – April 1 (for Spring session)
• June 23 – Aug. 4 (for Fall session)
• Oct. 15 – Nov. 15 (for Winter session)

Individualized-study courses begin on the first day of every month, so registration is ongoing.

Winter 2023
Jan. 9	First day of Winter session grouped-study courses
Feb. 9	Last day for early withdrawals from Winter session grouped-study courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. Partial refund.
Feb. 1	Online course registration for Spring session grouped-study courses opens
Feb. 20	Family Day	University closed
March 1	Deadline for receipt of all application documents for admission to the program for Fall 2023 session
March 20	Fall 2023 admission decisions are made and student notifications are sent. Online admissions open.
March 31	Deadline for admissions and fees for Fall 2023
April 1	Online course registration for Spring session grouped-study courses closes
April 7 – 9 (inclusive)	Easter break	University closed
April 9	Last day of Winter session grouped-study courses
Spring 2023
April 30	Deadline to apply for graduation in June. All final grades must be received by the Office of the Registrar, and all program requirements must be completed by this date. Plan ahead. Allow professor at least 10 business days for grading and the Faculty of Science and Technology office 5 business days for processing final grade report(s), in advance of this deadline.
May 1	First day of Spring session grouped-study courses
May 22	Victoria Day	University closed
May 31	Deadline to register for Convocation 2023. (Note: In order to graduate in June, all requirements must be met by April 30. See above.)
June 1	Last day for early withdrawals from Spring session grouped-study courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. Partial refund.
June 15 – 17	Convocation 2023. Visit the Convocation website for more information on this virtual event.
June 23	Online course registration for Fall session grouped-study courses opens
July 1	Canada Day	University closed
July 30	Last day of Spring session grouped-study courses
Aug. 4	Online course registration for Fall session grouped-study courses closes
Aug. 7	Heritage Day	University closed

 

Fall 2023
Sept. 4	Labour Day	University closed
Sept. 11	First day of Fall session grouped-study courses
Oct. 1	Deadline for receipt of all application documents for admission to the program for Winter 2024 session.
Oct. 9	Thanksgiving Day	University closed
Oct. 11	Last day for early withdrawals from Fall session grouped-study courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. Partial refund.
Oct. 15	Online course registration for Winter session grouped-study courses opens.
Oct. 20	Winter 2024 admission decisions are made and student notifications are sent. Online admissions open.
Oct. 31	Deadline for admissions and fees for Winter 2024
Nov. 13	Remembrance Day (in lieu)	University closed
Nov. 15	Online course registration for Winter session grouped-study courses closes
Dec. 10	Last day of Fall session grouped-study courses
Dec. 23 – Jan. 1	The university will close at 4:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 22, 2023 and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, Jan. 2, 2024.	University closed

Winter 2024
Jan. 8	First day of Winter session grouped-study courses
Feb. 1	Online course registration for Spring session grouped-study courses opens
Feb. 8	Last day for early withdrawals from Winter session grouped-study courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. Partial refund.
Feb. 19	Family Day	University closed
March 1	Deadline for receipt of all application documents for admission to the program for Fall 2024 session
March 20	Fall 2024 admission decisions are made and student notifications are sent. Online admissions open.
March 31	Deadline for admissions and fees for Fall 2024
March 29 – April 1 (inclusive)	Easter break	University closed
April 1	Online course registration for Spring session grouped-study courses closes
April 7	Last day of Winter session grouped-study courses

Spring 2024
April 29	First day of Spring session grouped-study courses
April 30	Deadline to apply for graduation in June. All final grades must be received by the Office of the Registrar, and all program requirements must be completed by this date. Plan ahead. Allow professor at least 10 business days for grading and the Faculty of Science and Technology office 5 business days for processing final grade report(s), in advance of this deadline.
May 20	Victoria Day	University closed
May 29	Last day for early withdrawals from Spring session grouped-study courses. No record of the course will appear on the transcript. Partial refund.
May 31	Deadline to register for Convocation 2024. (Note: In order to graduate in June, all requirements must be met by April 30. See above.)
June TBD	Convocation 2024. Visit the Convocation website for more information on this virtual event.
June 23	Online course registration for Fall session grouped-study courses opens
July 1	Canada Day	University closed
July 28	Last day of Spring session grouped-study courses
Aug. 4	Online course registration for Fall session grouped-study courses closes
Aug. 5	Heritage Day	University closed

Students are required to complete 12 credits (four courses) in the Graduate Certificate in Information Security (GC InfoSec) program.

Program delivery

The program is offered during three semesters each year. The fall semester begins in September. The winter semester begins in January. The spring sessions begins in May. Each semester is 13 weeks in length.

Program status

To maintain program status, students must complete at least 6 credits of course work during each academic year, September 1st to August 31st or January 1st to December 31st depending on the date of admission to the program.

The lowest acceptable grade for courses is B- (70 per cent). Students who receive a grade lower than B- may be required to withdraw from the program.

Full- and part-time involvement

Students may study in the program on a full- or part-time basis. Part-time students must complete a minimum of 6 credits (2 course equivalents) per calendar year. In order to comply with Alberta Student Aid requirements, and to qualify for full-time status at the graduate studies level for funding and T2202 purposes, students must complete a minimum of 9 credits (3 courses) per calendar year (one course per term).

Definitions

Guidelines

To be considered for a 60 per cent course load, students are required to register in at least 1 three-credit course per term to be considered full time.

To be considered for a 100 per cent course load, students are required to submit a full year's study plan (three terms). Students will need to identify at least 12 credits of study covering a full 12-month period.

Students who request certification of a 100 per cent course load must identify their full 12-month study plan at the commencement of their first term of studies. Students are permitted to use any number of combination of credits in their three identified terms, provided the total number of credits is equal to 12.

Residency

To meet the residency requirements, students must complete a minimum of 2 courses (6 credits) through Athabasca University.

Relationship to MSc Information Systems (MSc IS) program

Students, who successfully complete the Graduate Certificate in Information Security (GC InfoSec) program, may apply for admission to the MSc IS program. If admitted, credits completed by the student towards the GC InfoSec will be accepted for credit towards the MSc IS degree in accordance with the MSc IS program regulations. Please note that students must achieve minimum required grades in various courses as per the MSc IS program regulations to be able to count the credits towards MSc IS program.

Curriculum content

The Graduate Certificate in Information Security will be awarded upon completion of 4 courses (12 credits). Students are required to complete the following:

Students are encouraged but not required to complete COMP 604 and COMP 607 before taking COMP 660. Elective course may be taken on completion of the core courses or concurrently with the core courses offered in any term.

Permission of the program director is required before courses are taken for GC InfoSec program credit outside Athabasca University.

Program extension

Courses

Graduate Certificate in Information Security (GC InfoSec) students take their courses alongside MSC IS students, and are required to complete the same activities and achieve the same standard.
Students will access all course tools and technologies online. In addition, students are expected to use web-based communications for the following purposes:

• For instructor and student-to-student interactions in computer conferences
• For email, both within and outside of the course structure
• For file transfer or file attachment of assignments and feedback between instructor and students and between students on joint projects
• For accessing electronic databases (for example, Athabasca University’s Library)
• For using Athabasca University’s Landing (a social network platform for students, instructors and staff)

Delivery modes

GC InfoSec courses are delivered via online paced study using distance education instructional design principles and enabling web-based technologies:

• Course materials—study guides, assignments, links to online resources, etc.—are made available through the online learning environment.
• Courses have required online components, such as the use of cloud-based analytics tools.
• Students work their way through the learning materials, complete assignments, and communicate with the instructor, the university, and with other students anytime and from anywhere through the Internet.
• Students have online access to an instructor, who gives subject matter assistance and discusses scholarly issues, marks assignments, and provides feedback.
• Concluding examinations (where applicable) can be taken at many pre-approved invigilation centres across Canada and overseas.
• Students are expected to use web-based communications for the following purposes:
  • Instructor and student-to-student interactions,
  • File transfer or file attachment of assignments and feedback between instructor and students and between students on joint projects, and
  • Accessing web-based resources such as electronic databases (the Athabasca University library maintains subscriptions to ACM and IEEE digital libraries).

Online paced study

GC InfoSec program will be conducted in an online paced study mode involving online study as part of a group, with specific start and end dates. The courses in the GC InfoSec program will be offered during three terms each year. Please refer to the Academic Schedule for each term start date. All course work should be completed during the term periods. Online paced study delivery has the following characteristics:

• Students engage with fellow students and instructors and complete various course activities on a 13-week timetable.
• Terms start 3 times each year: September, January, or May.
• Exams, where applicable, are written in the last scheduled week of classes.

Course registration procedures

Registration in courses is subject to prerequisite requirements or professor permission. Elective courses may be taken on completion of the core courses or concurrently with the core courses offered in any term.

Course extensions

Course extensions are not available for any of the core and elective courses in the GC InfoSec program.

Re-registration

Students are allowed only 1 re-registration in each course. Both the initial registration and the re-registration will appear on the student’s academic record.

Students may re-register in a course only if they have received more than one final grade of B- or lower in a core course or more than one final grade of C+ or lower in an elective course, or have withdrawn from the course in good standing. In re-registering, students must complete all course requirements and pay the full course fee.

Course withdrawals and refunds

Early withdrawal

(Within 30 days of the course start date)

Students may withdraw within 30 days from their course start date for a refund of the full courses fee, less the withdrawal processing fee. The registration will not appear on the transcript and will be deleted from the official record. Please refer to the refund policy for further details. Learning resources should not be returned to Athabasca University.

Withdrawal

(Before the course contract end date)

Students may withdraw from a course before the course end date without academic penalty. A "W" (Withdrawal) will appear on the transcript, which means the student has withdrawn without credit and without penalty. There is no refund, and learning resources should not be returned to Athabasca University.

Students will not be able to withdraw from a course without academic penalty in any of the following cases:

• The course has a final exam and the student has written the final exam, or
• If the course does not have a final exam, but all of the assignments have been submitted for marking.

If a student does not formally withdraw by the course end date, and does not complete the course, the official record will reflect and "F" (Failure). A grade will be assigned and calculated into the cumulative average. There is no refund, and learning resources should not be returned to Athabasca University.

The course end date is the scheduled end of an independent paced session for grouped study courses, and the expiry date of the course contract period for individualized study courses. We also do not automatically withdraw students and we handle re-enrolment on a case-by case basis.

Refunds

Students will receive a refund of their full course fees minus the course withdrawal processing fee (refer to GCIS fees) if they withdraw from the course within the first month. Students should not return their learning resources. Students wishing to withdraw from a course(s) before the first day of class will receive a full refund providing all materials are returned completely unmarked and are able to be reissued to another student.

Grading system

All courses will be graded using the Alpha/4.0 grading scale.

Please review the Graduate Grading Policy and Academic Records FAQ for more information on grading scales.

A non-refundable convenience charge will be charged when using Visa or Mastercard to pay student fees. American Express is no longer an accepted method of payment. For more information on the convenience charge, please visit the Financial Services website.

The following fees are effective for courses starting September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.). G.S.T. is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)

¹ GC InfoSec Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $158 and a Course Materials fee of $33 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fee of $13 per credit.

Estimated program tuition cost (2022 - 2023):

The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, would be $7,524 ($1,881 x 4, three-credit course equivalents). AUGSA fees, the Course Administration and Technology fee, and the Course Materials fee are included in the above calculations. Application and admission fees are not included.

Other fees

Fee information effective September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023.

A non-refundable convenience charge will be charged when using Visa or Mastercard to pay student fees. American Express is no longer an accepted method of payment. For more information on the convenience charge, please visit the Financial Services website.

The following fees are effective for courses starting September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.). G.S.T. is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)

¹ GC InfoSec Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $167 and a Course Materials fee of $35 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fee of $13 per credit.

Estimated program tuition cost (2023 - 2024):

The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, would be $7,932 ($1,983 x 4, three-credit course equivalents). AUGSA fees, the Course Administration and Technology fee, and the Course Materials fee are included in the above calculations. Application and admission fees are not included.

Other fees

Fee information effective September 1, 2023 to August 31, 2024.