Doctor of Education in Distance Education

Program overview

Athabasca University’s online Doctor of Education in Distance Education is a professional doctoral degree for distance education practitioners and those with related career experience. The program is the first of its kind in North America.

The EdD provides rigorous preparation for advanced responsibilities and leadership in the distance-learning field, including:

• planning
• teaching
• directing
• designing
• implementing
• evaluating
• researching
• managing

Research is an important focus, as you will be expected to make an original and significant contribution to their profession as part of your doctoral program. Research opportunities include:

• examination of practice
• theory-building
• basic research

More conceptual or theoretical interests may also be accommodated.

Why take the Doctor of Education in Distance Education?

AU is a global leader in distance education teaching, scholarship, and program innovation; you will be learning from leaders in the field.

As a professional doctoral degree, the EdD program provides a relevant and accessible learning context designed for the working professional. This program may be of interest to:

• mid-career professionals involved in
  • distance education
  • adult education
  • continuing education
  • policy development and implementation
• academics, teachers, and instructors who wish to specialize in aspects of distance education research and scholarship
• instructional design specialists
• senior-level managers and program planners

Program details

The Doctor of Education in Distance Education is an 18-credit online doctoral program. You must normally complete the entire program through Athabasca University. (Inquire if you have questions.)

There is only 1 EdD intake each year. The application deadline is in January, and classes start in May. A face-to-face orientation in Edmonton or Athabasca for 1 week in August is a program requirement. All courses are online grouped study, with defined start and end dates. As noted above, the program includes a 5-day on-site orientation.

Routes and options

Detailed information about courses in this program can be accessed using the following link:

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 4 years of study. You can take up to 5 years to complete all requirements.

Admission requirements

Normally, admission requirements include a master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum grade point average (GPA).

• See full EdD admission requirements

Tuition and fees

The EdD program has:

• an application fee
• a yearly program fee

Tuition is then paid on a course-by-course basis.

• See all EdD fees

Application deadlines and start dates