Graduate studies - Program student application

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Step 1: Apply to be an AU graduate learner

The application process has 2 parts. You must first apply to become a graduate learner at Athabasca University and then apply to your program.

Complete the graduate program application through the AU Office of the Registrar Online Services to receive your student ID number, which is needed to apply for your specific program.

Current or returning students:

1. 1. Click here and login by clicking the "login" on the left side, under the "General" heading.
   2. Click on the "Graduate Application" and complete the required steps.
   3. Be sure to select the appropriate Graduate Program.

New to AU:

1. 1. Click here, and click on "Apply Now" under the Graduate Application heading in the middle of the screen.
   2. You will be assigned an AU student ID number, which will be used to access all AU services and resources.
   3. Be sure to select the appropriate Graduate Program.

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Step 2: Pay the application fee

Pay your non-refundable application fee as part of the AU graduate program application process.

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Step 3: Apply to your program

Once you have received your student ID number and paid your fee, log into your myAU account to begin the program application process. You will complete your program application using the Faculty of Health Disciplines' Graduate Student Admission System (GSAS).

In your GSAS application, please select the same program as you did in Step 1.

As part of the application process, you will provide information related to:

• Academic background
• Work and volunteer experience
• Professional development activities
• The rationale for applying to the program and other pertinent information

You can log into your GSAS application and change your information anytime during the application process. However, it can no longer be modified once you finalize and submit your GSAS application for review. You can track the completion of various online application components through the GSAS Application Checklist after submission (receipt of reference forms and hardcopy documents). You do not need to wait for your Hardcopy Materials Package to be confirmed as received before submitting your online application for review. However, the Hardcopy Materials Package must be received by your chosen application deadline.

To check your application status, return to the GSAS application, not myAU.

Letter of reference

Letters of reference must be submitted within the online application process; paper copies will not be accepted. Each applicant must provide 3 official letters of reference, including each referee's email address. At least one of the letters of reference should come from someone familiar with your academic skills. If an academic reference is not provided, you will be asked to explain within the application why you were unable to meet this requirement.

All referees must be able to objectively assess your background and capabilities with respect to the prospective graduate program. Letters from friends, family members, clients, colleagues, or people currently registered in an AU graduate program or general reference letters (not written to support your application to the particular graduate program) are unacceptable. For professional or employment references, please select individuals familiar with your work, preferably if they have supervised you in some way.

You must submit current letters of reference with your application, even if you have previously applied to an AU graduate program.

Note: The application system does not allow changes in the References section after the application deadline (e.g.,, modifying a referee’s email address, changing a referee, etc.).

• Counselling Programs Reference Assistance, contact: gcapgradapply@athabascau.ca
• Nursing and Health Studies Reference Assistance, contact: cnhsgradapply@athabascau.ca

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Step 4: Submit required hardcopy materials

Please print the hardcopy application material checklist and include this form with your completed hardcopy application package.

Assemble and then mail or courier all required hardcopy information. Email attachments, photocopies, unsealed/opened transcripts and faxed documents are considered unofficial and will not be accepted. Send your hardcopy information when you have compiled all the required materials, and in sufficient time to be received by the Faculty of Health Disciplines and date stamped by the application deadline.

When assembled, send your hardcopy materials to:

Graduate Programs
Faculty of Health Disciplines
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
Canada

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Required hardcopy materials

Official transcripts

Submit official transcripts from all institutions (including Athabasca University, if applicable) regardless of the number of courses taken or the amount of time spent there. Please note the following:

• To be considered official, transcripts in your package must be received in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution or via MyCreds.
• Do not include transcripts from high school.
• Transcripts must state the degree awarded and must be dated within 1 year of the application deadline.
• Official transcripts must be issued directly to you and mailed/couriered as part of your hardcopy documents package to the address listed above. AU is not responsible for the delay/loss of transcripts sent directly to the University.

Additional materials for all programs

• Applicants with international credit (completed outside Canada and the US) must request a course-by-course educational assessment from a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (members include: World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES)). The assessment must be dated within 5 years of the application deadline. If your assessment was issued more than 5 years before the deadline, the credentialing agency must reassess or reissue it before your package submission.
• Official translated transcripts must be submitted for applicants with transcripts issued in a language other than English (e.g., Canadian French language post-secondary institutions).
• Applicants without Canadian citizenship must provide a photocopy of permanent resident documentation.
• Proof of English Language Proficiency. See the English language proficiency requirements.
• Applicants requesting transfer credit for courses taken outside Athabasca University must review the Transfer Credit page and follow the steps provided.
• 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 institute.

Additional materials for Master of Nursing: Nurse Practitioner and Post-Masters Diploma: Nurse Practitioner only

You must provide the following documents in your Hardcopy Application Package:

• Photocopy of current Nursing Registration
• Copy of current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate
• Photocopy of Nursing Practitioner (NP) license (if applicable)
• Letter of Verification (from employer or College of Registered Nurses) confirming 5,000 hours of recent clinical practice as a Registered Nurse

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Step 5: Track your application status

Track receipt of your hardcopy documents and your application status by logging into your GSAS application.

• Nursing/Health Studies applicants
• Counselling applicants

You are responsible for ensuring that all components of your application package have been received by the FHD program office and date-stamped by the application deadline.

Allow sufficient time before to the deadline for the assembled package containing transcripts, etc. to be received by the FHD Program Office. The Faculty recommends you allow at least 8 weeks for this. Please ensure your former institution does not send your transcripts directly to Athabasca University's Registrar's Office. You must assemble and mail/courier the Hardcopy Materials Package directly to the FHD Graduate Program Office (address above).

Once your file has been reviewed the status of your application will be updated online. You are responsible for continuing to check your GSAS application for updated information. Due to the large volume of applications, the FHD administrative staff cannot provide information on the status of your application by phone or email.

Application deadlines are final and no exceptions will be granted. There are no appeals to admission decisions. Incomplete or late application packages will not be assessed nor retained for consideration for admission the following year.