Doctor of Education – Distance Education

Regulations effective Sep. 1, 2025, unless otherwise noted.

Athabasca University offers the Doctor of Education – Distance Education (EdD). The program is managed and administered by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences (FHSS), in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations. Program regulations, procedures, and operational decisions are made by the EdD Program Director, or designate, in consultation with the FHSS faculty. The MEd and EdD Program Council advises in all matters related to the EdD.

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 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.

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

Information effective Sep. 1, 2025 to Aug. 31, 2026.

Updated July 04, 2025 by Office of the Registrar