Overview
This Athabasca University program is for practitioners who are interested in:
- technology use in distance education and training settings
- teaching and learning theory applied to online technology implementations
- current online learning theory applied to distance uses of communications and delivery technologies
- program evaluation in distance education
- research into online uses of technology
As Graduate Certificate - Technology-Based Learning courses are part of the Master of Education - Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd) program, you will take your courses with MEd students.
Why take the Graduate Certificate - Technology-Based Learning?
As distance education and technology-based learning evolve, educators skilled in technology-based tools are in high demand. Completing the Graduate Certificate - Technology-Based Learning can help you meet that demand.
You must complete at least 6 credits through Athabasca University to meet residency requirements. There are normally 3 intakes each year: in Sept., Jan., and April. 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 degree
Once you have completed the Graduate Certificate - Technology-Based Learning, you may apply to the MEd program. If you're admitted, your GCTBL credits may be applied towards the MEd degree.
Completion times
You can take up to 2 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 for students living in canada and out | Students living in Canada: | $1,9751 |
| Students living outside Canada: | $2,2201 |
1 Graduate Certificate – Technology-Based Learning (GCTBL) Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $167, and a 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 $5,925 ($1,975 x 3, 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 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.
Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Courses
The Graduate Certificate - Technology-Based Learning is a structured yet flexible program, offered over three 13-week semesters each year, designed to be completed within 2 years. Students must complete a total of 9 credits through a mix of core and elective courses, with a minimum of 6 credits fulfilled at Athabasca University to meet residency requirements.
To complete the program, you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Graduate Certificate - Technology-Based Learning.
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. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.
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Career options
With a Graduate Certificate - Technology-Based Learning, you could find career opportunities as an instructional designer, e-learning consultant, or technology coordinator in various educational settings, from K-12 schools to higher education and corporate training programs. The skills you gain will make you a valuable asset in an evolving educational landscape increasingly dependent on distance learning and digital platforms.
Some careers you could pursue with this certificate could include:
- instructional designer
- e-learning consultant
- technology coordinator in education
- corporate training specialist
- distance education program manager
- curriculum developer for online learning
- learning management system administrator
- educational technology specialist
- online course developer
- digital learning strategist