Athabasca University is a public, Government of Alberta-designated online and distance learning university in Athabasca, Alberta, Canada.
Athabasca University is a fully accredited public post-secondary institution in Canada. It is a designated post-secondary institution reporting to the Government of Alberta through the Ministry of Advanced Education, and it is governed by The Governors of Athabasca University under Alberta's Post-secondary Learning Act. Its home campus is in Athabasca, Alberta, 145 km north of Edmonton. The university describes itself as Canada's Open University, offering online learning.
Athabasca University was established in 1970. Since then, the university reports that over 50,000 program and course alumni from more than 100 countries have graduated.
Athabasca University offers undergraduate degree programs, diplomas, and certificates in business, health, technology, arts, and more. Online graduate programs lead to master's degrees, doctoral degrees, graduate diplomas, or certificates. The university offers over 850 online course options across a variety of subject areas. Most courses are delivered online as individualized study, and the university recommends allocating 10-15 hours per week for each undergraduate course.
Athabasca University uses an open admission policy, under which anyone aged 16 or older is accepted as a student. Most undergraduate programs have no specific admission requirements, though some have additional criteria. Graduate programs require an undergraduate degree, and doctorate programs require a master's degree. Admission routes include undergraduate open admission, graduate programs, open studies for individual courses, and visiting student status.
The university has an Indigenous meeting place called Nukskahtowin, a Cree term meaning meeting place, which provides academic and administrative support for Indigenous citizens.