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  • Graduate Calendar
    • 2022-2023 Graduate Calendar
    • Faculty of Business
      • Overview
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    • Faculty of Health Disciplines
      • Overview
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    • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
      • Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
      • Master of Arts – Interdisciplinary Studies
      • Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting
      • Graduate Diploma in Heritage Resources Management
      • Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education*
      • Doctor of Education (EdD) in Distance Education
      • Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology
      • Graduate Diploma in Instructional Design
      • Graduate Certificate in Instructional Design
      • Graduate Certificate in Technology-Based Learning
    • Faculty of Science and Technology
      • Overview
      • Master of Science in Information Systems
      • Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics
      • Graduate Certificate in Information Technology Management
      • Graduate Certificate in Information Security
      • Graduate Diploma in Architecture
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    • Additional Information
      • Additional information
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Course procedures

Regulations effective September 1, 2022.

Individualized study is the most common method of teaching and learning at Athabasca University. See the Calendar Glossary for definition. Unless otherwise stipulated, "courses" means individualized study courses.

At AU, courses begin the first day of each month provided you register by the 10th day of the previous month. You will have 6 months to complete 0-, 1-, 3-, or 4-credit courses and 12 months to complete 6-credit courses.

Available courses

To ensure that you do not overburden yourself, AU limits your course load to a maximum of 6 active registrations. If you have a full-time job or are new to distance learning, we suggest you start with one course. Students may be actively registered in 1 to 6 courses at a time, including: courses with an In-Progress Status, those taken via the Challenge for Credit process, grouped study courses, and wait-listed or pre-registered courses that overlap current registrations.

A course overload (registration in more than six courses) is only allowed when a student is at the maximum course load and has finished all of their coursework and requested exams (if applicable) for one or more course(s). Students must request permission for a course overload by emailing Enrolment Services at enrol@athabascau.ca.

You may pre-register in an individualized study course up to 3 months before the course start date. Pre-registration guarantees you that tutorial support will be available for a specific start date. When you pre-register, you will be paying the fee that is effective the date your course begins. Should you alter your pre-registration, you will be charged a fee.

You will receive your course materials shortly after your pre-registration. Tutorial support will not begin until your official course start date. Your tutor introductory letter will arrive approximately one week before your course start date.

Registration process

Once you are admitted to AU and you have received your student ID number, you may register in courses. As part of selecting a course, review the course syllabus to ensure that you have the required prerequisites and that it is currently available. The course syllabus will also tell you the delivery mode, the evaluation criteria, and the course materials provided.

Log in to myAU to complete and submit the Undergraduate Course Registration along with the appropriate payment. Confirmation of course registration by e-Letter will be available within 48 hours of the course registration in your myAU portal (use your student ID number to log in).

The request for a course materials package will be sent as soon as your course registration is processed. A tutor will also be assigned after you register in a course; however, the tutor’s support will not be in effect until the course contract start date.

  • myAU
  • Course syllabi
  • Course fees
  • Undergraduate Course Registration

AU’s individualized study courses begin the first day of the month and are offered year-round. You must request and pay for courses by the 10th day of the month prior to the requested course start date. For example, if you wish to start your course on November 1, you must register for the course by requesting and paying for it by no later than October 10.

For students without access to the online registration system, the Office of the Registrar will process paper course registration requests and payments that are received by the 10th day of the month before your requested start dates.

Remember to consider postal, courier, and processing times when a particular start date is desired. Students living overseas are generally assigned course start dates 1 month later than students living in North America.

Each individualized study course has a specific course contract start date and end date, and all course requirements must be completed within contract. Lab exceptions, if any, will be noted in the course syllabus. You will have 6 months to complete a zero-, one-, three-, or four-credit course, and 12 months to complete a six-credit course. Your course contract end date is the last day of your individualized study course. Course contract end dates fall on the last day of a month. Course extensions are available, if required.

Full-time funded students have 4 months to complete a 0-, 1-, 3-, or 4-credit course, and 8 months to complete a 6-credit course. Course extensions may be available, but not recommended. Speak to your financial advisor for more information.

Financial AssistanceYou are considered actively registered in your course until you have completed the course requirements, the course contract date expires, or you withdraw. Your course materials package will be sent or accessible as soon as your registration or pre-registration request is processed, however, tutor support, submission of coursework, and the writing of examinations cannot begin until the official course contract start date.

Early access to courses varies based on individual course design. Prior to the course contract start date, student access may not be provided to some assignments and will not be provided to quizzes or exams. (Note: In some courses, early access is not provided at all.) Students cannot submit assignments and quizzes, nor write exams until their course contract period commences. Tutorial and faculty access will not be provided until the course contract period begins.

All students studying outside of Canada must comply with the regulations governing the normal course contract period.

Course start date for students living overseas (those living outside Canada and the continental United States) depend on the arrival of the course package. To reduce postal delays, AU will courier you course package, but you must provide a street address (not a Post Office box address) and telephone number.

Most courses are completely online, including access to textbooks, so start dates are not affected by delivery times. Check your syllabus for details.

After you register in an individualized study course, you will receive an e-Letter containing contact information for your specific support method, depending on the course.

  • Courses in the Faculty of Business will have access to the Student Support Centre and academic experts.
  • Courses in the Faculty of Science and Technology will have access to the Student Success Centre and academic experts.
  • Courses in other faculties will receive a tutor's name, address, email address, phone number, and tutor hours.

Your course's particular form of contact will be posted in your student myAU portal approximately 10 days before your course contract start date. The default method of student information delivery is e-Letter. If you have not received your support letter one week before your course start date, or have questions, contact Learning Services Tutorial as soon as possible.

Your support will assist you throughout your course either by phone or email. Tutors/academic experts offer subject-matter assistance, engage in scholarly discussion, mark assignments, provide feedback, and help prepare you for your examinations. Never feel reluctant to contact your tutor/academic expert. They are your main link with AU.

You may contact your tutor on the course start date, but not before. You may phone your tutor toll-free from anywhere in Canada or the US during established tutor hours, or you can leave a voicemail or email message at any time.

In case of vacation time, your tutor may not be available for up to 10 days. In case of absences of longer than 10 days, other arrangements will be made for you and you will be notified.

Course materials

Course fees include all course materials needed for the course. You may be required to purchase additional items such as stationery, binders, calculators, etc. Most courses have required computer components (refer to Computer Requirements in the Glossary).

The payment of course registration fees entitles you to receive most of your individualized study course materials. Course materials include, but are not limited to, textbooks, student manuals, study guides, tutorial assistance where provided, access to online materials and other instructional materials required to complete the course for the period of active registration. Additional lab fees may be required for some Faculty of Science and Technology courses. You may be required to pay for additional small items such as binders, calculators, home lab materials, etc.

Some AU courses introduce students to a more specialized course in the same field. These courses often reference the same textbook. Please retain the textbook from the previous course as a duplicate textbook will not be distributed.

Your course package will include various course materials that are identified in the online course syllabus. In some courses, the course materials are available entirely online. In others, the resources may be a combination of offline materials such as a hard copy textbook(s), CDs, and/or DVDs, and the balance of course materials is accessed online. And in others, the entire course materials package is print-based and is mailed or couriered.

Your course materials will arrive before your official start date. If for some reason the materials don’t arrive on time, contact Learning Resource Services at AU as soon as possible (1-780-675-6366).

In many courses, the course materials are available either online or in print, or a combination of both formats. If a course has print course materials, they will be sent shortly after your course registration has been processed.

Shipping within North America

Students living in Canada will receive their print course materials through Canada Post. Students who live in the U.S. or Mexico will receive their print course materials by courier. Please allow two weeks or longer to receive the material.

Shipping overseas

Various methods are used to ship print course materials overseas. AU’s Learning Resource Services department determines the most efficient and appropriate method. If you live overseas, please allow up to one month to receive your course materials. See Overseas Students’ Course Start Dates above.

Materials Management

  • 1-800-788-9041 ext. 6366
  • cmat@athabascau.ca

Course extensions

If you are unable to complete your individualized study course during the course contract period, you may apply for and purchase up to three, two-month extensions at Athabasca University. While extensions are available for all undergraduate individualized study students, it could be detrimental for full-time funded students receiving government financial aid to request a course extension. See Extensions for full-time funded students below.

Course extensions apply to individualized study courses only. See further information on grouped study courses, pilot courses, practicum courses, and courses taken via challenge for credit below.

The extension begins on the first day of the month following your course contract end date. How you apply depends on what kind of student you are (full-time funded, or part-time funded and non-funded). See below for further information.

Course extensions do not extend full- or part-time status past the original course contract period for any student. (Full-time funded students receiving financial aid, see below.)

If you fail to complete your course and you do not apply for an extension by the required deadline, you will receive a grade of F (Failure) for the course. If you wish to obtain credit for the course, you may re-register and pay a fee. Both the original registration and the re-registration will appear on your transcript.

Extensions for non-funded students and part-time funded students

Course extensions for non-funded and part-time funded students can be requested up to the last day of the course contract period. Course extensions for non-funded students and part-time funded students must be requested and purchased online (via your myAU portal using your student ID number to login). Course Extension Fees are non-refundable.

Course extensions do not extend full- or part-time status past the original course contract period for any student. For example, if a full-time non-funded student took 4 courses or more starting in the same month and applied for extensions for any or all courses, the full-time status would still only be for the original 6-month course contract period.

  • myAU
  • Extension fee

Extensions for full-time funded students

Course extensions for full-time funded students receiving government financial aid can be requested up to 30 days before the course contract end date.

Full-time funded students are restricted by shorter time limits than part-time funded students or non-funded students. If you are a full-time funded student and want to request an extension, you must contact the Student Awards and Financial Aid Unit of the Office of the Registrar. Extensions to full-time funded students' courses will affect the full-time eligibility for funding for current and future funding terms. If you are granted an extension, your full-time status will not be extended and your current or future funding eligibility will not be guaranteed. For example, if a full-time funded student took 4 courses or more starting in the same month and applied for extensions for any or all courses, their full-time status would still only be for the original 4-month course contract period. It is important to note: this will negatively affect your funding.

Full-time funded students cannot request an extension online and must complete a paper form and pay by e-transfer or by credit card. Send completed forms to sfa@athabascau.ca. Course Extension Fees are non-refundable.

  • Extension Request Form
  • Extension fee

Students who are registered in grouped study courses or the Challenge for Credit process are not eligible to extend their original course contract period.

Students registered in a pilot course must refer to the course syllabus to determine whether course extensions are available for that course.

Nursing Practicums: Course extensions are not allowed.

Psychology Practicums: Course extensions are allowed in Psychology practicums, but must be negotiated with the Course Coordinator and the practicum site.

Heritage Resources Management Practicums: Course extensions are allowed and follow the same process as any other six-credit course extension.

Course withdrawal

You may withdraw from an individualized study course at any time within the course contract period, except in the following cases:

  • after your course contract end date,
  • once the final examination has been written (or if all course work has been submitted for marking, for courses that do not have a final exam requirement), or
  • during disciplinary proceedings.
If at the conclusion of the proceedings, it has been decided not to proceed with a charge of Student Academic Misconduct or Non-Academic Misconduct and the student wishes to withdraw from a course or program, the withdrawal may be backdated to the date the proceedings were initiated, at the request of the student. In instances of disciplinary proceedings, withdrawal requests will only be accepted and processed as allowed under the Student Academic Misconduct Policy and the Non-Academic Misconduct Policy.

Refunds and returns

Students are responsible for the cost of returning any course materials to Athabasca University. See Refunds for further information.

Withdrawal timeframes have an impact on your academic record. If you withdraw:

  1. prior to and up to 30 days after the course contract start date: The course will not appear on your transcript and you are eligible for a refund of course fees paid, less the Course Withdrawal Processing Fee and the Course Materials Fee (unless the materials are returned as per the Course Materials Returns and Refund Policy).
  2. after 30 days and on or before the course contract end date: Your transcript will indicate a “W” (Withdrawal) and credit will not be awarded for the course. No refunds will be given.
  3. after the course contract end date: You cannot withdraw after the course contract end date. If no course work has been completed, a grade of “F” (Failure) will be assigned and recorded on the transcript. No refunds will be given.

Withdrawal requests should be submitted online via the myAU portal, except for withdrawals from nursing practicum courses and health administration practicum courses.

Students in a nursing practicum course are allowed to withdraw during the theory component of their professional practice course provided they have not started their clinical placement. Normally, no refunds will be given after students have registered in a nursing practicum course. Withdrawal requests during the clinical placement are not allowed unless approved by the Faculty of Health Disciplines, Program Director, Undergraduate Programs. If students in a nursing practicum course withdraw:

  1. prior to the first scheduled clinical day: Your transcript will indicate "W" (Withdrawal) and credit will not be awarded for the course. No refunds will be given.
  2. on or after the first clinical day: You must first discuss your withdrawal request with the Program Director, Undergraduate Programs. If the withdrawal request is accepted,typically a grade of "U" (Fail in a pass/fail grade mode) will be assigned and noted on the transcript and no credit will be awarded for the course. No refunds will be given.

Nursing Practicum students must submit the Course Withdrawal Request Form to the Faculty of Health Disciplines Program Director, Undergraduate Programs, and discuss the reasons for requesting the withdrawal. The Program Director will notify the student in writing of the registration status and grade to be assigned.

Students in University Diploma in Health Administration or Bachelor of Health Administration practicum courses are allowed to withdraw during the placement proposal component of their course provided they have not started their field placement. Normally, no refunds will be given after students have registered in a health administration practicum course. Withdrawal requests during the field placement are not allowed unless approved by the Program Director, Health Administration. If students in a health administration practicum course withdraw:

  1. prior to the first scheduled field placement day: Your transcript will indicate "W" (Withdrawal) and no credit will be awarded for the course. No refunds will be given.
  2. on or after the first field placement day: You must first discuss your withdrawal request with the Program Director, Health Administration. If the withdrawal is accepted, typically a grade of "F" (Failure) will be assigned and noted on the transcript and no credit will be awarded for the course. No refunds will be given.

Health Administration Practicum students must submit the Course Withdrawal Request Form to the Program Director, Health Administration, and discuss the reason for requesting the withdrawal. The Program Director will notify the student in writing of the registration status and grade to be assigned.

Re-registration

At Athabasca University, students are permitted one registration and one re-registration in each course. You may re-register in an undergraduate course provided you are eligible to register in the current revision of the course. You cannot re-register in a course that has been temporarily or permanently closed.

In order to carry forward any completed coursework and examination results in a course, you must first obtain written approval from the course professor/course coordinator prior to the course contract start date. Approval to carry forward completed course work and examination results is at the discretion of the Course Coordinator. Coursework and examination results can only be carried forward if they have been completed in the same revision of the course.

  1. The re-registration must be in the current revision of the course. Contact AU and determine whether the current revision of the course has changed since your original registration. If the current revision has changed from your original registration, you will be required to pay the course materials fee. If the revision hasn't changed, you will not be charged the course materials fee.
  2. Complete the undergraduate course registration process.

All appeals related to undergraduate individualized study courses must be made using the Office of the Registrar Online Appeals Form. The Appeals Officer, designated by the Registrar, has the final decision-making authority on all appeals.

All decisions will be communicated in writing to the Appellant.

Information effective Sept. 1, 2022 to Aug. 31, 2023.

Updated July 17, 2023 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)

https://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/2022/ b124a4010a2a55f3406c70621e8e79e9