Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology

At a glance

Credential: graduate diploma
Credits: 18
Next start: see program details

Learn the current principles and practices of technology use in distance education and training with Athabasca University's online Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology.

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About Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology

If you're passionate about the evolving landscape of distance education, Athabasca University's online Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology is the perfect next step for you. This 18-credit program is designed to give professionals like instructors, trainers, and administrators the skills they need to effectively prepare, deliver, and manage distance education programs. With 3 annual intakes and an online grouped study format, you get both flexibility and structure, letting you learn alongside Master of Education students in Open, Digital, and Distance Education.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree or equivalent education and experience.

See full Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology admission requirements

Program details

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology emphasizes the concepts and skills required to prepare, deliver, and manage distance programs. It will benefit those who work in distance education as:

instructors
teachers
trainers
decision-makers
planners
managers
administrators

As Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology courses are part of the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd) program, you will take your courses with MEd students.

Why take the Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology?

If you're interested in issues related to the use of technology in distance education and training, but aren't ready to pursue the MEd, this program may be for you.

The Graduate Diploma in Distance Education and Technology is an 18-credit online graduate program. You must complete at least 9 credits through Athabasca University. All courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates.

Application deadlines and start dates

Application deadline	Start date
Jan. 15	spring
May 15	fall
Sep. 15	winter

Routes and options

Ladder to a master's degree

Once you have completed the Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology, you may apply to the MEd program. If you're admitted, your Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology credits may be applied towards the MEd degree.

Completion times

You can take up to 3 years to complete all requirements.

Tuition and fees

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 Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025. 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.

program application and admission fees
Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies:	$197
Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable):	$255
Non-program application fee (non-refundable) required only once and waived if previously an AU student:	$124

Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)

fees in canada and out
Students living in Canada:	$1,975¹
Students living outside Canada:	$2,220¹

¹ Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology (GDDET) Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $167 and Course Materials fee of $37 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fee of $14 per credit.

Estimated program tuition cost (2024-2025)

The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, would be $11,850 ($1,975 x 6, three-credit course equivalents). The AUGSA fees, Course Administration and Technology fee, and Course Materials fees are included in the above calculation. Application and admission fees are not included.

Other fees

other fees
Transfer credit evaluation fee (one time):	$348
Transfer credit evaluation fee (international)(one time):	$348
Letter of Permission fee:	$100
Western Deans' Agreement administration fee (non-AU visiting students)	$250/course
Course extension fee:	$334
Course withdrawal processing fee¹:	$453
Continuation (program extension) fee. Same as course tuition fees (see above).
AU Graduate Student Association Fee (per credit)	$14

¹The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees (see above) less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to Course Withdrawal.

Continuation fees

Continuation fees are the same as course fees. Continuation fees are normally assessed when program students do not register in the required six credits per academic year of course work. Continuation fees may be charged to students that exceed the maximum completion time limit.

Information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.

Courses

In Athabasca University's Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology, you'll delve into core courses focusing on the foundations of distance education, instructional design, and current educational technology applications. You also have the freedom to choose from a variety of electives that cover everything from online teaching methods to trends in K-12 online learning, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of distance education.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology.

Our program regulations can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you'll take them in.

Program regulations

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program.

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Career options

Earning a Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology opens doors to a variety of mid-level roles in both educational and corporate settings. You could find yourself shaping the future of online learning as an instructional designer, training manager, or even an educational technology consultant, among other fulfilling careers.

Some careers that you could pursue may include:

distance learning coordinator
instructional designer
e-learning specialist
educational technology consultant
training and development manager
online curriculum developer
learning management system administrator
education program manager
corporate training specialist
education technology project manager

Resources and links

Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.

Program resources

Additional resources

Program contact

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