Doctor of Education (EdD) – Distance Education

To be offered admission to Athabasca University for the purpose of studying in the Doctor of Education – Distance Education program (EdD), an applicant must meet the application requirements listed below.

• Completion of a master's degree, preferably with a thesis or research project, in a relevant field or area of study (e.g., education or distance education, psychology or educational psychology, instructional technology, adult education, curriculum and instruction, and the like) from an accredited university, normally with a GPA of at least 3.7 or 85 per cent (Graduate Grading Policy);
• Significant experience in open or distance learning, which demonstrates that the student is capable of study at a distance and completing high quality, original research with distance supervision only.
• A completed admission package consisting of the following:
  • a completed application form;
  • their curriculum vitae;
  • a Statement of Intent (750 – 1250 words);
  • a description of their research background and interests (750 – 1250 words);
  • three letters of reference, from people who are familiar with their work and can comment on their ability to do research and succeed in advanced studies;
  • official transcripts, sent directly to the Distance Education office from the originating institution(s). (Note: applicants with degrees obtained outside of North America may be required to have their educational qualifications assessed independently by a credential evaluation service);
  • a non-refundable application processing fee.

Applications to the EdD program will be reviewed by an Admissions Committee that will make recommendations regarding offers of admission to the EdD Program Director. The Admissions Committee will consist of no fewer than three Distance Education faculty members.

Selection will be based on the applicant's previous academic record, research track record, and perceived ability to participate in scholarly studies and conduct research independently at a distance. A telephone interview may be required to complete the selection process.

Offers of admission will be made by the EdD Program Director.

The applicant will formally accept the offer of admission and pay the first program fee installment to indicate their commitment to join the cohort of students for that year.

Applications from students wishing to transfer into the EdD program from other doctoral programs will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Transferring students must meet the admission requirements and complete at least 2/3 of their doctoral courses, the proposal defence/candidacy examination, and all of the dissertation requirements with Athabasca University. Other university courses used must not have been used towards another degree.

In exceptional circumstances, the EdD Program Director may waive one or more of the above application criteria.

Further information regarding the EdD program or application procedures may be directed to:
Email: edd@athabascau.ca

Potential students

The doctoral program is intended for individuals currently involved in distance education, who have already completed a graduate degree. Potential students include:

• individuals in mid-career in distance education-related occupations, or in adult education and continuing education fields, as well as those responsible for policy development and implementation of distance, virtual, or alternative educational programs;
• those who wish to augment readiness for promotion or further growth in their careers, or to prepare for career change;
• individuals who are unable or unwilling to interrupt their careers to undertake a full-time, campus-based doctoral program, or who prefer the distance learning conditions of the online doctoral;
• professionals with advanced degrees in various disciplines (e.g., university and college academics, teachers, instructors) who wish to specialize in aspects of distance education research and scholarship;
• senior-level staff in corporate, military, and industry training environments;
• instructional design specialists, senior-level managers and program planners, and others in areas related to the development of complex instructional systems (This is an area where the proliferation of advanced educational technologies has resulted in needs for new learning systems design, development, management, evaluation, and research.);
• those employed in other areas related to the development of alternative or "virtual" learning systems, with mediated interaction among participants.

The distance nature of the online doctoral program will also facilitate access by non-urban students, those who are employed, individuals with disabilities, and others for whom pursuit of a doctoral-level degree through a traditional institution would be difficult or impossible.

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.

All documents and forms must be completed and received on or before January 31 for consideration of a program start as indicated on the Doctor of Education – Distance Education (EdD) academic schedule below.

Applications will be reviewed by an Admissions Committee. Selection will be based on the applicant’s previous academic record, research track record, ability to participate in scholarly studies and conduct research independently at a distance. A telephone interview may be required to complete the selection process; if required, the Admissions Committee will contact the applicant to make arrangements.

Applicants will be notified of the committee's decision typically after March 1. Successful applicants will be required to pay the first installment of the yearly program fee within two weeks of offer of admission (non-refundable).

Follow the steps in the application process on the Doctor of Education – Distance Education website and include the non-refundable application fee.

The doctoral program is cohort-based. Normally, 12 students will be admitted each year, and will (unless individual circumstances prevent it) progress through the program as a group. Cohort-based delivery provides exposure to and networking among a diverse group of highly skilled, experienced professionals, and promotes collaborative learning in a scholarly learning community.

A cohort is defined by the year in which the Doctor of Education – Distance Education (EdD) students first begin their program of study (e.g. students beginning in 2015 would be referred to as cohort 8). If a student falls behind their cohort group (e.g. through a program deferral), the student may join a later cohort group in order to complete the courses remaining in their program.

At the beginning of the first year of the program, a required five-day orientation workshop is conducted. This time will be spent in instruction (i.e., work on the first course will continue), in program planning, in discussions with faculty and colleagues, in community-building activities, and in technology-related tutorials. The on-site component of the orientation is normally planned to coincide with the AU convocation ceremonies in June.

Courses are offered on a paced basis with specified start and completion dates. Courses will normally be taken in sequential order from EDDE 801 through EDDE 806.

Residency requirement

Students may transfer a maximum of two courses (6 credits) into the EdD program, on approval of the EdD Program Director. Students will not be awarded credit for courses previously used towards another credential.

To meet the residency requirements:

1. Students must complete a minimum of four courses (12 credits) from the core curriculum through Athabasca University.
2. Students must complete the proposal defence/candidacy examination, and all of the dissertation requirements with Athabasca University.

Program requirements

The EdD program is comprised of six online courses and an on-site orientation. All courses and the orientation are mandatory in the program curricula. The courses are normally taken in the sequence they are offered.

Year 1:

• Admission to program
• Appointment of interim dissertation supervisor
• On-site orientation

Year 2:

Years 3 and 4:

• Confirmation of dissertation supervisor and supervisory committee

• Development of dissertation proposal candidacy
• Examination/proposal defence
• Dissertation research – data gathering and writing the dissertation
• Submission of dissertation to Dissertation Supervisory Committee
• Oral dissertation defence

Completion requirements

To be awarded the EdD, the student must have:

• successfully completed the requirements set out below;
• completed an application for graduation form;
• paid all fees owed to the University and returned all library resources;
• satisfied all other regulations of the University.

All applications for graduation must be approved by the Athabasca University General Faculties Council.

The EdD is comprised of six 3-credit courses for a total of 18 credits. The following are also required:

• a one-week on-site orientation workshop;
• completion of the candidacy examination*;
• completion of a dissertation and oral defence*, as per Faculty of Graduate Studies policies.

* The candidacy examination and dissertation and oral defence are normally conducted at a distance, using appropriate Internet-based technology, e.g. audio/video conferencing.

Candidacy examination

Students enter the program as provisional doctoral candidates, and are required to complete EDDE 801, EDDE 802, EDDE 803, EDDE 804, and EDDE 805 before requesting the Candidacy Examination.

To become a doctoral candidate, the student must successfully pass the candidacy examination, including presentation and approval of the dissertation proposal. The candidacy examination includes both written and oral components, to assure that the student’s knowledge, presentation abilities, and conceptual and analytical skills meet the required standard, and are sufficient to permit the student to successfully complete the rest of the program, including completion of the dissertation. The candidacy examination may be conducted at a distance using any technologies acceptable to all parties.

Research

Research is an important focus of the doctoral program. Given that most students will already be experienced distance educators, research will tend toward an examination of practice, but could also include theory-building and more basic research. In addition, students who wish to pursue more conceptual or theoretical interests may be accommodated.

Doctoral students will be required to meet high standards of proficiency in scholarship, research, and teaching, including writing and presentation skills. In their studies and dissertation research, students are expected to produce scholarly publications, and take an active part in the opportunities presented by Athabasca University’s online journal, International Review of Research in Open and Distance Learning. Doctoral students must also demonstrate proficiency with technologies for communication and information access, as well as for supporting teaching and learning. Developing and demonstrating these skills will be a component of each student's program.

Supervision

When the student is admitted to the EdD program, the Interim Dissertation Supervisor is appointed to provide advice, as required, and assist with the determination of an appropriate Dissertation Supervisor.

The Dissertation Supervisor will advise on the dissertation research and chair the Dissertation Supervisory Committee. This will normally not take place until year three.

Full-time involvement

All active students enrolled in the EdD program and who are in good standing are considered full time.

Active status and good standing

Active status refers to an EdD student or doctoral candidate who is progressing in an expected manner toward the completion of their program and/or dissertation research.

In good standing refers to an EdD student or doctoral candidate who has no more than one grade of B-, who has paid all fees, and has not withdrawn, failed, or been expelled from the program.

Completion time limits

Students must complete the program within five years, commencing with their program start date, and will normally complete in four years. After the fourth year, continuation fees will be levied.

Extensions of up to one additional year may be approved by the Faculty of Graduate Studies and the EdD Program Director, or designate, and require the payment of a continuation fee.

Academic expectations

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

To be awarded the EdD degree, students must pass all courses. Only one grade of B- is allowed in a student's program. All other grades must be a B or higher.

Students receiving a B- in a course may re-register in the course, subject to the approval of the Program Director. Only one re-registration will be allowed.

The mark received in the second attempt of the course will be counted towards the program. Both registrations and grades will appear on the official student transcript.

Students re-registering in a course will be required to pay the tuition for that course.

Student who fail a course (i.e. receive a grade of less than B-) will normally be withdrawn from the program, with no opportunity to re-register in the course unless exceptional approval is given by the EdD Program Director and the Dean, Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Program deferral

A deferral is typically reserved for situations when extenuating circumstances are present. Having multiple competing responsibilities is usually not sufficient to be considered extenuating circumstances. Students with questions or concerns should discuss these with their supervisor, the Program Administrator, or the EdD Program Director.

The length of time of a deferral is not included in the time period for completion of the program, and deadlines will be adjusted accordingly after a deferral.

EdD students may defer the start of their program for a period of no more than one year, upon approval of their request by the EdD Program Director and payment of the first program fee. If, after the one-year deferral, the student has not commenced the program, he/she will be required to reapply if he/she wishes to rejoin the program.

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.

Progress reports and transcripts

Annual progress reports will be completed according to the processes set by the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Grading system

The grading system for the EdD will follow the Graduate Grading Policy. The dissertation proposal defence/candidacy exam and the final dissertation oral defence are assessed using the following categories as outlined by the Faculty of Graduate Studies:

• pass
• pass subject to revision
• adjourned for re-examination
• failed

Course extensions

In exceptional circumstances, and where the course instructor concurs, students may be granted a short 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 a 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 re-register in a course only if they have received a final grade of "B-" or lower. Only one B- is allowed in the EDDE program. 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 withdrawals

Early withdrawal
(Within 30 days of Course Start Date)

Students may withdraw within 30 days from their course contract 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 contract 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 contact 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 EDDE 806, 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.

The EdD fees consist of a yearly program fee and individual course fees. The annual program fee is paid in three installments (see the example below). Individual course fees are due by the course registration deadline.

If your tuition is being sponsored by a company or other organization, we will require a Letter of Guarantee.

Example:

* Students may take up to 5 years to complete their degree. After year 4 (12 installments of $1,810 already paid) there will be a continuation fee of $1,810 payable each 4-month term.

† Should Candidacy and/or EDDE 806 not be completed in year 3, they may be completed in year 4. Students work towards completing their dissertation in year 4. Please note that students must pay a minimum of 12 program installments even if they complete the program in less than 4 years.

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

The EdD fees consist of a yearly program fee and individual course fees. The annual program fee is paid in three installments (see the example below). Individual course fees are due by the course registration deadline.

If your tuition is being sponsored by a company or other organization, we will require a Letter of Guarantee.

Example:

* Students may take up to 5 years to complete their degree. After year 4 (12 installments of $1,846 already paid) there will be a continuation fee of $1,846 payable each 4-month term.

† Should Candidacy and/or EDDE 806 not be completed in year 3, they may be completed in year 4. Students work towards completing their dissertation in year 4. Please note that students must pay a minimum of 12 program installments even if they complete the program in less than 4 years.

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026.