Build strong distance-education skills, knowledge and values with Athabasca University’s online Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education program.
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About Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education
At Athabasca University, our Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education program is designed to empower you with comprehensive skills in distance education and training. You'll gain hands-on experience in areas like curriculum development, budgeting, and program management, preparing you for diverse settings such as businesses, health care organizations, and educational institutions. With over 40 years of expertise in distance learning and a graduate program dating back to 1994, we're committed to keeping you at the forefront of this ever-evolving field.
Admission requirements
Admission requirements include a baccalaureate degree or equivalent education and experience.
Build strong distance-education skills, knowledge and values with Athabasca University’s online program.
As you learn how to design, implement, evaluate and manage distance education and training programs, you will gain skills in:
institutional and organizational design
management and administration
budgeting and finance
curriculum and program development
course development
delivery and support
program evaluation and revision
You will work with and learn from fellow students in a broad range of distance education and training settings, such as:
business firms
government agencies
voluntary and professional associations
hospitals and other health-care organizations
schools, colleges and universities
Why take the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education?
Distance education is constantly evolving. Staying on top of this increasingly sophisticated field means that continuous upgrading is essential. At AU, we’re always researching and developing new ways to engage our students wherever they are – and we love to share what we know.
With more than 40 years of experience in delivering distance learning and one of the oldest graduate programs in distance education (established in 1994), AU is a strong choice for your distance education graduate degree.
The Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education is a 33-credit online graduate program. You may transfer up to 4 courses (12 credits) from another graduate program.
Application deadlines and start dates
Application deadline
Start date
Jan. 15
spring
May 15
fall
Sep. 15
winter
Routes and options
You can choose to complete your MEd through either a thesis route or a course-based route.
You can take up to 6 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 fee
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 in Canada and out
Students living in Canada:
$1,9751
Students living outside Canada:
$2,2201
1Master of Education – Open, Digital and Distance Education (MEd) Course Tuition fees now include the 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 $21,725 ($1,975 x 11, 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.
Other fees
other fees
Transfer credit evaluation fee (one time):
$348
Transfer credit evaluation fee (international)(one time):
$348
Continuation (program extension) fee. Same as course tuition fees (see above).
Course extension fee:
$334
Letter of Permission fee:
$100
Western Deans' Agreement administration fee (non-AU visiting students)
$250/course
Course withdrawal processing fee1:
$453
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 normally assessed when program students do not register in the required six credits per academic year of course or thesis work or when students have completed all required course work but have not yet completed their thesis oral exam or e-Portfolio defense. Continuation fees may be charged to students that exceed the maximum completion time limit.
Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Focus areas
Leadership in Education
The Leadership in Education focus area at AU offers a deep dive into the essentials of effective educational leadership. Whether you're involved in administration, curriculum design, or program delivery, you'll refine your skills through case-based study and practical applications of inclusive, innovative leadership methods. The curriculum covers everything from general leadership theory and project management to tackling current educational issues, equipping you with a well-rounded set of competencies for any educational setting.
The Instructional Design focus area in the MEd is perfect for those keen on shaping the future of education through course and program development. You'll gain a solid foundation in learning theory and design, along with the skills to harness technology for instructional innovation. The program covers a broad spectrum of topics including program evaluation, project management in education, and universal design for learning principles, setting you up for success in creating impactful educational experiences.
If you're passionate about making education accessible through mobile technologies, the mobile learning focus area is designed for you. This focus area equips you with an in-depth understanding of learning theory and design, specifically tailored for course and program delivery that reaches learners anytime, anywhere. With an emphasis on practical applications, you'll explore everything from the capabilities and limitations of mobile tools to the ROI of mobile learning technologies, setting you up for success in this exciting, growing field.
If you're engaged in K-12 education and are eager to integrate technology into your teaching practices, our K-12 online and blended learning focus area will suit you well. You'll expand your understanding of technology-enabled curriculum design, focusing on open educational practices and resources. You'll also delve into the nitty-gritty of creating inclusive classrooms, mastering effective teaching strategies and understanding the technologies that can make distance education in a K-12 setting both accessible and effective.
In the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education program, you'll embark on a comprehensive journey that includes core courses focused on the essentials of distance education and training, as well as electives that allow you to dive deeper into areas like instructional design or mobile learning. You'll also have the flexibility to choose between a thesis route, which includes research-intensive work, or a course-based route that culminates in a capstone e-portfolio project.
To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Master of Education, plus those specific to your focus area.
Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program.
Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program.
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Career options
After completing the Master of Education in Open, Digital, and Distance Education, you could step into various roles such as instructional designer, educational technology consultant, or even an administrator in online and blended learning environments. The program also equips you for careers in academia, corporate training departments, and organizations focused on educational innovation, allowing you to apply your expertise in creating and managing educational experiences that are both effective and accessible.
Some possible career outcomes include:
distance education coordinator
online learning specialist
instructional designer
e-learning developer
curriculum developer
educational technology consultant
online course developer
distance learning facilitator
online education manager
learning management system (LMS) administrator
educational content developer
distance education researcher
online training coordinator
virtual learning specialist
online course instructor
digital learning consultant
educational technologist
online education program manager
e-learning project manager
distance education administrator
Resources and links
Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.