Athabasca University

What you'll study

The curriculum concentrates on practical and theoretical aspects of designing learning for remote and web-based contexts. Core emphases include:

• Applying learning theory to instructional design
• Applying program evaluation concepts within distance education
• Using current Instructional Systems Design (ISD) models for distance education
• Developing instructional materials in a project-based setting

Entry requirements

Admission requires a baccalaureate degree or equivalent combination of education and experience. Applicants should consult the full admission requirements on the program page for details and any supporting documentation needed.

Career prospects

Graduates commonly move into roles that support online and blended learning. Typical career paths include instructional designer, e-learning developer, training consultant, curriculum developer, learning and development specialist, educational technologist, content strategist, project manager in educational settings, online course coordinator, and user experience designer. These roles appear across education, healthcare, corporate and other sectors that use distance education.

Scholarships & funding angle

Program fees and application/admission fees apply; fee details and payment policies are published by Athabasca University and quoted in Canadian dollars. Beginning Sep. 1, 2026, Canadian Indigenous graduate students are eligible for a 10% reduction on the tuition portion of AU graduate course costs. Prospective students should review the university’s Financial Services and program pages for up-to-date tuition, fee schedules, and available funding or bursary information.