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Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education*

Regulations effective Sep. 1, 2023, unless otherwise noted.

* This program was previously called Master of Education in Distance Education.

The Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd) program is offered by Athabasca University's Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences and is one of the oldest graduate programs in distance education. Established in September 1994, its primary focus is on the fields of distance education and training—learning that helps students overcome the barriers of time and space. Distance education and training are rapidly expanding fields and indicators point to their continued and steady growth well into the future.

Today, distance education and training students of all ages are provided with the opportunity to learn in a wide variety of subject areas, formats, and organizations. If distance educators are to adapt to the increasingly sophisticated field of distance education and to maintain their professional competence, continuous upgrading is essential. Professional growth is also required by people from a variety of educational and occupational backgrounds who seek entry into this burgeoning field.

As the demand for distance education and training increases, the need for formal qualifications in their delivery becomes more pressing. Those students who currently work or aspire to work in distance education and training and whose personal commitments demand a flexible and accessible graduate-level program, may find Athabasca University’s MEd program the path to a more rewarding career.

The MEd program is unique in several ways. It is housed at Athabasca University, one of the world’s leading open universities. All courses for the degree are delivered online and use a variety of learning platforms and communication tools. There are no face-to-face requirements for completion of the degree. Tuition rates are affordable. Up to 12 credits (four courses) may be transferred from other institutions (refer to MEd Program Regulations).

Program participants work in diverse distance education and training settings such as business firms, government agencies, voluntary and professional associations, hospitals and other health-care organizations, schools, colleges, and universities.

The MEd program is designed to provide all students with a common base of skills, knowledge, and values regarding distance education and training, independent of the students' special area of interest. All graduates will gain experience in the following areas:

  • Problem solving, analysis, synthesis, and interpretation in distance education and training.
  • Designing educational and training programs, as well as implementing, evaluating and managing them. This will result in skills in institutional and organizational design, management and administration, budgeting and finance, curriculum and program development, course development, design, delivery and support, and program evaluation and revision.
  • Designing, implementing, and disseminating research in distance education and training.
  • Designing and developing distance education and training courses and materials.
  • Selecting, implementing, and evaluating technologies for use in distance education and training.

Athabasca University has developed program learning goals that can assist you in making informed decisions about your career options upon graduating.

Applicants to the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd) program must hold a baccalaureate degree (three or four years) from a recognized post-secondary education institution.

If the potential applicant does not have a degree, but believes their education and experience is equivalent to an undergraduate degree, then it is the responsibility of the applicant to put forward this position in writing as part of the application process.

Advance standing or transfer credit

Some students may have completed graduate level course work at other post-secondary institutions that is applicable to the MEd program.

After being admitted to the MEd program, students may request a review of such course work. A faculty committee will review the work to determine whether the student should be awarded advance standing or transfer credit in the MEd program.

See Course Regulations and Procedures for more information.

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.

Application deadline

There are three Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd) program intakes per year. The Distance Education office must receive all program application materials by:

  • January 15 for a course start date in spring of the same year
  • May 15 for a course start date in fall of the same year
  • September 15 for a course start date in winter of the following year

Application procedures

  1. Complete and submit the online MEd Application form along with the electronic application fee. Please use the form MEd Application to complete and submit your application.

    For applicants who have previously received an Athabasca University (AU) student ID number, please note: you will need to "Login" using your AU student ID number before completing the form.
  2. Complete and submit the Questionnaire. This form and the accompanying forms (see below) can be downloaded.
  3. Submit an up-to-date résumé.
  4. Complete and submit the Record Card.
  5. Submit official transcripts* directly from an accredited institution showing the granting of a baccalaureate degree.

    Transcripts should be sent to:

    Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences – Graduate programs
    Distance Education
    Athabasca University
    1 University Drive
    Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
    Canada

    *Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g., transcripts) in a language other than English or French must provide an official translation of such documents. If the credential being submitted has been earned outside Canada and the US, documentation attesting to its equivalence to a Canadian baccalaureate degree is required. Such documentation can be obtained from an assessment agency that is a member of:

    ACESC – Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada

    or

    NACES – National Association of Credential Evaluation Services
    naces@ierf.org

    When requesting an assessment please select the "Basic" assessment type that simply indicates the North American equivalent of your degree. The credential assessment agency will assess each student's international educational documents and compare them to educational credentials in Canada.

    All assessments, regardless of the agency used, must be completed using original documents or certified copies—official documents issued directly from the sending institution are preferred. Students must also submit copies of all foreign transcripts used in the assessment to AU. Please note, AU reserves the right to request that official documents be sent directly from the institution to AU.
  6. Submit two Letters of Recommendation; including one from someone who is familiar with the applicant’s academic skills. Applicants may download the Reference Template to send to the referees. Additional letters may be requested by the admissions committee.

    It is the applicant’s responsibility to notify their 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. The applicant, upon request, may view the information. Contact the MEd Program Director for more information.

Non-program student status

Individuals who are not enrolled in an AU Distance Education program are permitted to register as non-program students in individual courses, space permitting.

New non-program students must complete and submit the Distance Education non-program student application form and fee (non-refundable), if applicable. This fee is required only once and is waived if previously an AU student.

Courses taken as a non-program student may also be applied towards Distance Education program degree requirements according to program regulations, if and when the student becomes a program student. The University is under no obligation to admit non-program students into AU Distance Education programs.

For more information on non-program status, contact the Distance Education office.

Non-program student course registration

Distance Education program students are given priority for course registration in each term. Non-program student registrations are then accepted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Course registrations are accepted up until two weeks prior to the course start date. Please email the Distance Education office to confirm space in the MDDE course you are interested in and to receive the necessary manual course registration forms.

Refer to Course Regulations and Procedures for all other course-related information.

Academic schedule
Fall 2023
Sept. 4 Labour Day University closed
Sept. 5 MDDE Fall courses begin.
Oct. 2 National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (in lieu) University closed
Oct. 5 Last day for early withdrawal from Fall courses.
Oct. 9 Thanksgiving Day University closed
Oct. 15 Application deadline for MEd, diploma, and certificate programs.
Nov. 13 Remembrance Day (in lieu) University closed
Dec. 1 MDDE Fall courses end.
Dec. 23/23– Jan. 1/24 The University will close at 4:30 p.m. Friday, December 22, 2023 and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Tuesday, January 2, 2024. University closed
Winter 2024
Jan. 8 MDDE Winter courses begin.
Jan. 15 Application deadline for MEd, diploma, certificate programs.
Feb. 8 Last day for early withdrawal from Winter courses.
Feb. 19 Family Day University closed
Apr. 5 MDDE Winter courses end.
March 29 – April 1 (inclusive) Easter break University closed
Spring 2024
May 6 MDDE Spring courses begin.
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 days for grading, and the Distance Education office 5 days for processing final grade report(s), in advance of this deadline.
May 15 Application deadline for MEd, diploma, and certificate programs.
May 20 Victoria Day University closed
June 6 Early withdrawal deadline for Spring courses.
May 31 Deadline to register for Convocation 2024. (Note: In order to apply for graduation, all requirements must be met by April 30. See above.)
June 20 Convocation 2024.
July 1 Canada Day University closed
Aug. 2 MDDE Spring courses end.
Aug. 5 Heritage Day University closed

Completion time limits

Students have a maximum of six years from their first registration as a program student to complete the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd) degree program.

Program delivery

The program is offered during three semesters each year. Each semester is 13 weeks in length. The fall semester begins the first Tuesday in September. The winter semester begins the second Monday in January. The spring/summer semester begins the last Monday in April.

All course work should be completed during the semester periods. Extensions to these timelines may be granted, if circumstances warrant (refer to Course Regulations and Procedures).

Program status

To maintain program status, students must complete 6 credits of course or thesis work during each academic year (September 1 to August 31).

In core courses, the lowest acceptable grade is B-. Students who receive a grade lower than B-, or receive more than one grade of B- or lower, may be required to withdraw from the program.

In elective courses, the lowest acceptable grade is C+. Students who receive a grade lower than C+, or receive more than one grade of C+ or lower, may be required to withdraw from the program.

Residency

Students may transfer a maximum of four courses (12 credits) into the MEd program.

To meet the residency requirements:

  1. for the Thesis Route, students must complete a minimum of three courses (nine credits) from the core curriculum and complete the thesis through Athabasca University.
  2. for the Course-based Route, students must complete a minimum of three courses (nine credits) from the core curriculum, a minimum of three elective courses (9 credits) through Athabasca University, and successfully complete MDDE 694: Capstone e-Portfolio Project.

Program requirements

Thirty-three credits are required to complete the MEd program. These credits can be earned in one of two ways.

  1. Thesis Route: The curriculum requirement for the thesis route consists of five core courses, two elective courses, and 12 credits of thesis work. Normally, students will register in thesis credit after completion of the core courses.

    For those individuals pursuing the thesis route, a thesis (12 credits) provides an opportunity for investigating a novel question or synthesizing/applying what has been learned in the course work. Students must register in MDDE 700, MDDE 701 or 702, MDDE 703, and MDDE 704, as they proceed to complete the thesis requirements.
  2. Course-based Route: The curriculum requirement for the course-based route consists of five core courses, five elective courses and MDDE 694 – Capstone e-Portfolio Project.

Students pursuing the course-based route are required to complete a 3-credit capstone e-portfolio project as their final course, providing an opportunity to develop a high quality, comprehensive e-portfolio and to conduct an oral defense of that product. Students must register in MDDE 694 once they have completed all their core and elective courses, or are currently completing their final course.

Students can also choose to pursue focus areas for either the thesis or course-based routes in: Instructional Design, Leadership in Education, Mobile Learning, and K-12 Blended and Online Learning.

Core curriculum

The core curriculum is an integrated arrangement of courses covering the field of distance education and training. The five core courses (15 credits) review current knowledge, theory, and practice in distance education and training.

For all MEd program students, MDDE 601 and MDDE 602 must be taken before any other program courses, either concurrently or consecutively.

Students must also take MDDE 603, either MDDE 604 or MDDE 605, and either MDDE 610 or MDDE 620 to complete their core course requirements. The courses not chosen to meet the core course requirements can be used to meet the elective requirements.

The core courses provide students with the skills and knowledge that will facilitate their understanding and ability to analyze, synthesize, evaluate, create, and implement distance education and training courses, programs, and systems. Core courses in the MEd are normally offered three times a year.

Core courses

core courses
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Open, Digital, and Distance Education (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 604 – Instructional Design in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (3)
 or
MDDE 605 – Leading and Managing Open, Digital, and Distance Education
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
 or
MDDE 620 – Technology in Education and Training

Elective curriculum

Elective courses are designed to complement the core curriculum and expand basic knowledge, theory, and practice into areas and issues of individual interest or concern. These courses allow students to specialize in particular topics or learn new sets of skills necessary for research and practice in distance education and training. Normally, elective courses may be taken concurrently with core courses.

Some elective courses may not be available every year and a growing list of electives will emerge as student and faculty interests change and develop.

Elective courses

electives
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications * (3)
MDDE 611 – Foundations of Adult Education (3)
MDDE 612 – Experiential Learning (3)
MDDE 613 – Adult Education and Lifelong Learning (3)
MDDE 614 – International Issues in Open and Distance Learning (3)
MDDE 615 – Human Factors in Educational Technology (3)
MDDE 617 – Program Evaluation in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 618 – Instructional Project Management (3)
MDDE 619 – Trends and Issues in Instructional Design (3)
MDDE 620 – Technology in Education and Training * (3)
MDDE 621 – Online Teaching in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 622 – Openness in Education (3)
MDDE 623 – Introduction to Mobile Learning (3)
MDDE 630 – Trends and Issues in K-12 Online and Blended Learning (3)
MDDE 631 – Inclusive Leadership and Practice in Education (3)
MDDE 632 – Leadership in Education Innovation (3)
MDDE 650 – Tutoring and Student Support in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 651 – Gender Issues in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 660 – Professional Seminar: Leading Change in Teaching and Learning for a Digital World (3)
MDDE 661 – Seminar Topics in Educational Conferencing  (3)
MDDE 662 – Seminar Topics in Evaluating Conferencing Software  (3)
MDDE 663 – Seminar Topics in Emerging Technologies: Emerging Issues in Distance Education Technology  (3)
MDDE 664 – New Perspectives in International Distance Education  (3)
MDDE 665 – Collaboration and Mentoring in Educational Environments (3)
MDDE 690-691 – Independent Study (3)

* Elective courses listed above with an asterisk may be used to fulfill the technology core course requirement.

Thesis courses

Students who pursue the thesis program route are required to complete four, 3-credit thesis courses:

thesis courses
MDDE 700 – Introduction to Education Projects and Thesis Research (3)
MDDE 701 – Quantitative Research Methods (3)
 or
MDDE 702 – Qualitative Research Methods
MDDE 703 – Research Proposal Writing (3)
MDDE 704 – Thesis Completion and Oral Defence (3)

Prior to registration in a thesis course, it is important for students to ensure that they have spoken with the MEd thesis advisor about their program and thesis plan. The MDDE 704 thesis course must be registered for manually through the Distance Education office. Normally, students will register in a thesis course after completion of all core course work and electives.

Students who have successfully completed MDDE 700, MDDE 701 or 702, and/or MDDE 703, but decide to opt out of the thesis route, can choose to pursue the course-based route by contacting the Distance Education office.

Students choosing the thesis route should familiarize themselves with the Master's level thesis regulations outlined in the Faculty of Graduate Studies website.

MEd focus areas

Students are strongly advised to contact the Distance Education office for assistance and for advice on planning their studies. To qualify for a focus area, students must declare their selection with the MEd Program Administrator. Students must also complete all core and prescribed electives for either the course-based or thesis route of the focus area they are pursuing.

Leadership in Education

Instructional Design

Mobile Learning

K-12 Blended and Online Learning

Program withdrawal

Students may withdraw from the program by submitting their request in writing to the program director. Students who withdraw may be re-enrolled in the program by following the application procedures. Students requesting re-admission to the program will be competing against all other applicants and will not receive special consideration.

Focus areas

  • Leadership in Education
  • Instructional Design
  • Mobile Learning
  • K-12 Blended and Online Learning

Students are strongly advised to contact the Distance Education office for assistance and for advice on planning their studies.

To qualify for a focus area, students must complete all core and prescribed electives for either the course-based or thesis routes, as well as declare their selection with the MEd Program Administrator.

To pursue the course-based route in a focus area, students are required to complete the five core courses, in addition to five 3-credit electives and the final MDDE 694 E-Portfolio Capstone Project.

To pursue the thesis route in a focus area, students are required to complete the five core courses, in addition to two 3-credit electives and the four thesis courses (MDDE 700, MDDE 701 or MDDE 702, MDDE 703, MDDE 704).

Focus area: Leadership in Education: Course-Based Route

Core requirements (for the MEd)

core requirements
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 605 – Planning and Management in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
or
MDDE 620 – Technology in Education and Training
MDDE 694 – Capstone e-Portfolio Project (3)
Total core: 18 credits

Required for the focus area: Leadership in Education (Course-Based Route)

To fulfill the Leadership in Education focus (course-based route), students take the following two (2) required courses and three (3) electives:

required for focus area
MDDE 631 – Inclusive Leadership and Practice in Education (3)
MDDE 632 – Leadership in Education Innovation (3)
Total required: 6 credits

Electives

electives
Choose any three of the following:
MDDE 611 – Foundations of Adult Education (3)
MDDE 613 – Adult Education and Lifelong Learning (3)
MDDE 617 – Program Evaluation in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 630 – Trends and Issues in K-12 Online and Blended Learning (3)
MDDE 650 – Tutoring and Student Support in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 651 – Gender Issues in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 665 – Collaboration and Mentoring in Educational Environments (3)
MDDE 690 – Independent Study (3)
Total electives: 9 credits
Total core + required + electives: 33 credits

Focus area: Leadership in Education: Thesis Route

Core requirements (for the MEd)

core requirements
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 605 – Planning and Management in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
or
MDDE 620 – Technology in Education and Training
Total core: 15 credits

Required for focus area: Leadership in Education (Thesis Route)

To fulfill the Leadership in Education focus (thesis route), students take the following two (2) courses and four (4) thesis courses:

required for focus area
MDDE 631 – Inclusive Leadership and Practice in Education (3)
MDDE 632 – Leadership in Education Innovation (3)
Total required: 6 credits

Thesis

thesis
MDDE 700 – Introduction to Thesis Research (3)
MDDE 701 – Quantitative Research Methods (3)
or
MDDE 702 – Qualitative Research Methods
MDDE 703 – Research Proposal Writing (3)
MDDE 704 – Thesis Completion and Oral Defense (3)
Total thesis: 12 credits
Total core + required + thesis: 33 credits

Focus area: Instructional Design: Course-Based Route

Core requirements (for the MEd)

core requirements
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 604 – Instructional Design in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
MDDE 694 – Capstone e-Portfolio Project (3)
Total core: 18 credits

Required for focus area: Instructional Design (Course-Based Route)

To fulfill the Instructional Design focus (course-based route), students take the following three (3) courses:

required for focus area
MDDE 617 – Program Evaluation in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 618 – Instructional Project Management (3)
MDDE 619 – Trends and Issues in Instructional Design (3)
Total required: 9 credits

Electives

electives
Choose any two of the following:
MDDE 611 – Foundations of Adult Education (3)
MDDE 612 – Experiential Learning (3)
MDDE 613 – Adult Education and Lifelong Learning (3)
MDDE 621 – Online Teaching in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 622 – Openness in Education (3)
MDDE 623 – Introduction to Mobile Learning (3)
MDDE 650 – Tutoring and Learner Support in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 690 – Independent Study (3)
Total electives: 6 credits
Total core + required + electives: 33 credits

Focus area: Instructional Design: Thesis Route

Thesis Route

Core requirements (for the MEd)

course requirements
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 604 – Instructional Design in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
Total core: 15 credits

Required for focus area: Instructional Design (Thesis Route)

To fulfill the Instructional Design focus (thesis route), students take the following two (2) courses and four (4) thesis courses:

required for focus area
MDDE 617 – Program Evaluation in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 618 – Instructional Project Management (3)
or
MDDE 619 – Trends & Issues in Instructional Design
Total required: 6 credits

Thesis

thesis
MDDE 700 – Introduction to Thesis Research (3)
MDDE 701 – Quantitative Research Methods (3)
or
MDDE 702 – Qualitative Research Methods
MDDE 703 – Research Proposal Writing (3)
MDDE 704 – Thesis Completion and Oral Defense (3)
Total thesis: 12 credits
Total core + required + thesis: 33 credits

Focus area: Mobile Learning: Course-Based Route

Core requirements (for the MEd)

core requirements
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 604 – Instructional Design in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
MDDE 694 – Capstone e-Portfolio Project (3)
Total core: 18 credits

Required for focus area: Mobile Learning (Course-Based Route)

To fulfill the Mobile Learning focus (course-based route), students take the following two (2) required courses, as well as three (3) electives:

required for focus area
MDDE 621 – Online Teaching in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 623 – Introduction to Mobile Learning (3)
Total required: 6 credits

Electives:

electives
Choose three of the following:
MDDE 611 – Foundations of Adult Education (3)
MDDE 612 – Experiential Learning (3)
MDDE 613 – Adult Education and Lifelong Learning (3)
MDDE 618 – Instructional Project Management (3)
MDDE 619 – Trends and Issues in Instructional Design (3)
MDDE 622 – Openness in Education (3)
MDDE 690 – Independent Study (3)
Total electives: 9 credits
Total core + required + electives: 33 credits

Focus area: Mobile Learning: Thesis Route

Core requirements (for the MEd)

core requirements
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 604 – Instructional Design in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
Total core: 15 credits

Required for focus area: Mobile Learning (Thesis Route)

To fulfill the Mobile Learning focus (thesis route), students take the following two (2) required courses and four (4) thesis courses:

required for focus area
MDDE 621 – Online Teaching in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 623 – Introduction to Mobile Learning (3)
Total required: 6 credits

Thesis

thesis
MDDE 700 – Introduction to Thesis Research (3)
MDDE 701 – Quantitative Research Methods (3)
or
MDDE 702 – Qualitative Research Methods
MDDE 703 – Research Proposal Writing (3)
MDDE 704 – Thesis Completion and Oral Defense (3)
Total thesis: 12 credits
Total core + required + thesis: 33 credits

Focus area: K-12 Blended and Online Learning: Course-Based Route

Core requirements (for the MEd)

core requirements
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 604 – Instructional Design in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
or
MDDE 620 – Technology in Education and Training
MDDE 694 – Capstone e-Portfolio Project (3)
Total core: 18 credits

Required for the focus area: K-12 Blended and Online Learning (Course-Based Route)

To fulfill the K-12 Blended and Online Learning focus (course-based route), student take the following three (3) required courses and two (2) electives:

required for focus area
MDDE 621 – Online Teaching in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 622 – Openness in Education (3)
MDDE 631 – Inclusive Leadership and Practice in Education (3)
Total required: 9 credits

Electives:

electives
Choose two of the following:
MDDE 630 – Trends and Issues in K-12 Online and Blended Learning (3)
MDDE 650 – Tutoring and Student Support in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 623 – Introduction to Mobile Learning (3)
MDDE 651 – Gender Issues in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 665 – Collaboration and Mentoring in Educational Environments (3)
MDDE 690 – Independent Study (3)
Total electives: 15 credits
Total core + required + electives: 33 credits

Focus area: K-12 Blended and Online Learning: Thesis Route

Core requirements (for the MEd)

core requirements
MDDE 601 – Introduction to Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 602 – Research Methods in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 603 – Foundations of Instructional Design: Systems Analysis and Learning Theory (3)
MDDE 604 – Instructional Design in Distance Education (3)
MDDE 610 – Survey of Current Educational Technology Applications (3)
or
MDDE 620 – Technology in Education and Training
Total core: 15 credits

Required for focus area: K-12 Blended and Online Learning (Thesis Route)

To fulfill the K-12 Blended and Online Learning focus (thesis route), students take one (1) required course, one (1) elective, and four (4) thesis courses:

required for focus area
MDDE 631 – Inclusive Leadership and Practice in Education (3)
Total required: 3 credits

Electives

electives
Choose one of the following:
MDDE 621 – Online Teaching in Distance Education and Training (3)
MDDE 622 – Openness in Education (3)
MDDE 630 – Trends and Issues in K-12 Online and Blended Learning (3)
Total electives: 3 credits

Thesis

thesis
MDDE 700 – Introduction to Thesis Research (3)
MDDE 701 – Quantitative Research Methods (3)
or
MDDE 702 – Qualitative Research Methods
MDDE 703 – Research Proposal Writing (3)
MDDE 704 – Thesis Completion and Oral Defense (3)
Total thesis: 12 credits
Total core + required + electives + thesis: 33 credits

Note: Additional courses may be used for credit with prior permission from the program director.

MDDE courses

Courses are designed to encourage self-study either at home or in the workplace. Students will be supplied with basic course materials, if required, and access to a course website for each course. Students are also expected to use computer mediated communications for the following purposes:

  • instructor and student-to-student interactions in computer conferences;
  • email, both within and outside of the course structure;
  • file transfer or file attachment of assignments and feedback between instructor and students and between students on joint projects; and,
  • accessing electronic databases (for example, Athabasca University's Library).

Advance standing or transfer credit

Students may have completed graduate-level course work at other post-secondary institutions that may be applicable to their program. After admission, students may request a review of such course work. A faculty committee will review the work to determine whether the student should be awarded Transfer Credit or Advance Standing toward the program.

Students will not be awarded credit for courses previously used towards another credential.

Students wishing to request transfer credit or advance standing must submit the following information to the Program Director:

  • a written request outlining how the course(s) fulfill a program requirement;
  • detailed course outline(s)/syllabi, including assignment descriptions;
  • Official Transcripts; and,
  • Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee.

Letter of permission

Students enrolled in a Distance Education program may take courses from other post-secondary institutions in fulfillment of their program requirements, provided such courses are applicable to their program.

Students wishing to take courses from other institutions must submit the following information to the Program Director for review:

  • a Letter of Permission Request Form and applicable fee;
  • a written request outlining how the course fulfills a program requirement, and;
  • detailed course outline(s)/syllabi, including assignment descriptions.

If approved, the Distance Education office will issue a Letter of Permission. To allow for processing time, requests for a Letter of Permission should be made at least one month before the registration deadline at the institution where the student will be taking the course. Upon completion of the course, the student must submit an official transcript to the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences Distance Education office in order to obtain credit for the course.

Program student course registration

Once enrolled, students will be permitted to register in MDDE courses on a first-come, first-served basis, space permitting. Program students are encouraged to register for their courses online.

Course extensions

In exceptional circumstances, and where the course instructor concurs, students may be granted a short informal course extension. Students taking courses in a Distance Education program (i.e. courses beginning with the prefix MDDE or EDDE) may submit assignments up to 30 days after the last day of the course upon approval of the instructor.

A Course Extension is required to submit assignments after that date. Course Extensions for a period of up to 50 days may be granted upon approval of the instructor or Program Director and payment of the Course Extension Fee. Courses not completed within 90 days of the final day of the course may receive a grade of "F".

Re-registration

Students may not re-register in a course for which they have received a passing grade.

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;
  • received more than one final grade of C+ or lower in an elective course; or
  • withdrawn from the course in good standing.

In re-registering, students must complete all course requirements and pay the full course fee.

Students are permitted only one re-registration in each course. Both the initial registration and the re-registration will appear on the student's academic record.

Course withdrawal

Early withdrawal
(Within 30 days of course start date)

Students may withdraw within 30 days from their course start date for a refund of the full course 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 Course Refunds below for further details. Learning resources should not be returned to Athabasca University.

Withdrawal
(After 30 days of course start 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.

Late course withdrawal

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

Course refunds

Students will receive a refund of the full course tuition fee minus the course withdrawal processing fee if they withdraw from the course within the first month. Students should not return their course materials. Students wishing to withdraw from a course(s) before the first day of class will receive a partial refund (full tuition fee minus the withdrawal processing fee).

Grading system

With the exception of MDDE 694, 695, 700, 701, 702, 703, and 704, which will be graded on a pass/fail basis, 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 Jan. 1, 2024 to Aug. 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.

program application and admission fee
Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies: $184
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: $116

Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)

fees for students in Canada and out
Students living in Canada: $1,9721
Students living outside Canada: $2,2171

1Master of Education in Open, Digital and Distance Education (MEd) Course Tuition fees now include the Course Administration and Technology fee of $166 and Course Materials fee of $35 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fee of $14 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 $21,692 ($1,972 x 11, three-credit course equivalents). The AUGSA fees, Course Administration and Technology fee, and Course Materials fee are included in the above calculation. Application and admission fees are not.

Other fees

other fees
Transfer credit evaluation fee (one time): $325
Transfer credit evaluation fee (international)(one time): $325
Continuation (program extension) fee. Same as course tuition fees (see above).
Course extension fee: $312
Letter of Permission fee: $93
Western Deans' Agreement administration fee (non-AU visiting students) $250/course
Course withdrawal processing fee1: $423
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 normally assessed when program students do not register in the required six credits per academic year of course or thesis work or when students have completed all required course work but have not yet completed their thesis oral exam or e-Portfolio defense. Continuation fees may be charged to students that exceed the maximum completion time limit.

Fee information effective Jan. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2024.

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 fee
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 for students in Canada and out
Students living in Canada: $1,9751
Students living outside Canada: $2,2201

1Master of Education in Open, Digital and Distance Education (MEd) Course Tuition fees now include the 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 $21,725 ($1,975 x 11, three-credit course equivalents). The AUGSA fees, Course Administration and Technology fee, and Course Materials fee are included in the above calculation. Application and admission fees are not.

Other fees

other fees
Transfer credit evaluation fee (one time): $348
Transfer credit evaluation fee (international)(one time): $348
Continuation (program extension) fee. Same as course tuition fees (see above).
Course extension fee: $334
Letter of Permission fee: $100
Western Deans' Agreement administration fee (non-AU visiting students) $250/course
Course withdrawal processing fee1: $453
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 normally assessed when program students do not register in the required six credits per academic year of course or thesis work or when students have completed all required course work but have not yet completed their thesis oral exam or e-Portfolio defense. Continuation fees may be charged to students that exceed the maximum completion time limit.

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.

Information effective Sep. 1, 2023 to Aug. 31, 2024.

Helpful links and resources:

  • Faculty website
  • Course offerings
  • Contact information

  • Financial aid and awards information
  • Awards finder

Updated June 13, 2024 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)

https://www.athabascau.ca/calendar/ 12ab3e340a2a5543024b566676282c53