Overview
The Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology emphasizes the concepts and skills required to prepare, deliver, and manage distance programs. It will benefit those who work in distance education as:
- instructors
- teachers
- trainers
- decision-makers
- planners
- managers
- administrators
As Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology courses are part of the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education (MEd) program, you will take your courses with MEd students.
Why take the Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology?
If you're interested in issues related to the use of technology in distance education and training, but aren't ready to pursue the MEd, this program may be for you.
The Graduate Diploma in Distance Education and Technology is an 18-credit online graduate program. You must complete at least 9 credits through Athabasca University. 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 master's degree
Once you have completed the Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology, you may apply to the MEd program. If you're admitted, your Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology credits may be applied towards the MEd degree.
Completion times
You can take up to 3 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 in canada and out | Students living in Canada: | $1,9751 |
| Students living outside Canada: | $2,2201 |
1 Graduate Diploma – Distance Education Technology (GDDET) Course Tuition fees now include a 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 $11,850 ($1,975 x 6, three-credit course equivalents). The AUGSA fees, Course Administration and Technology fee, and Course Materials fees 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.
Information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Courses
In Athabasca University's Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology, you'll delve into core courses focusing on the foundations of distance education, instructional design, and current educational technology applications. You also have the freedom to choose from a variety of electives that cover everything from online teaching methods to trends in K-12 online learning, ensuring a well-rounded understanding of distance education.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology.
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.
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Career options
Earning a Graduate Diploma in Distance Education Technology opens doors to a variety of mid-level roles in both educational and corporate settings. You could find yourself shaping the future of online learning as an instructional designer, training manager, or even an educational technology consultant, among other fulfilling careers.
Some careers that you could pursue may include:
- distance learning coordinator
- instructional designer
- e-learning specialist
- educational technology consultant
- training and development manager
- online curriculum developer
- learning management system administrator
- education program manager
- corporate training specialist
- education technology project manager