Athabasca University

Programme overview

This program supplies the academic component of the RAIC Syllabus when paired with RAIC studio and supervised work experience, and is described as Canada’s first online architecture program. The curriculum emphasises environmental and community sustainability and is aimed at adult learners regardless of location or life commitments. Students with approved architecture diplomas may enter a Post Diploma route and receive 30 credits toward the degree; further credits may be granted after content review.

What you'll study

The BSc Arch requires 120 credits with at least 75 senior (300/400) level credits and a minimum of 30 senior-level credits completed through AU. Core requirements total 39 credits in discipline-specific science, arts and architecture courses. Key course groupings include:

• Core disciplinary courses (selected examples): APST 245 Materials, Properties and Applications; APST 305 Introduction to Structures; APST 355 Sustainable Design; PPRC 451 The Regulatory Environment; PHYS 200/201/202 options; mathematics choices such as MATH 209 and MATH 215/216; COMP 210 computing; PHIL 252 Critical Thinking and a professional ethics course; PSYC 432 Psychology and the Built Environment; ENGL 255 Introductory Composition (or waiver rules apply).
• Design workshop sequence (36 credits): Foundations of Design I/II (ADST 206/246 or RAIC 200), Foundations of Architectural Design: Elements (ADST 306 or RAIC 300), Simple Habitat (ADST 326 or RAIC 350), Collective Habitat (ADST 356 or RAIC 400), Cultural/Recreational/Institutional design (ADST 406 or RAIC 450), and Workplace design (ADST 456 or RAIC 490).
• Architectural communication (9 credits): ARCM 222 Introduction to Graphic Representation; ARCM 242 3D Modelling, Digital Representation and Presentation; ARCM 302 Computer Aided Design.
• Architectural theory (9 credits): ARCH 243 Architectural Design Theory Fundamentals; ARCH 323 Landscape; ARCH 453 Urbanism.
• Architectural history (12 credits): ARCH 204 History of Ideas in Architecture I; ARCH 224 History of Ideas in Architecture II; ARCH 324 History of Canadian Architecture; ARCH 354 History and Theory of Modernism.
• Advanced technologies (6 credits): APST 405 Building Envelope and Assemblies; APST 455 Mechanical Equipment of Buildings.
• Architectural electives (9 credits): options include any 300/400-level Science course; a 300/400-level ORGB or MKTG course; and one additional 300/400-level course in any area.

Entry requirements

The BSc Arch has open admission. Applicants holding an approved architecture diploma may apply for the Post Diploma route and receive 30 credits; additional diploma credits may be assessed. Students with a prior recognised first degree may be admitted as a second undergraduate degree student; up to 50% of AU degree requirements can be credited where appropriate, but the second degree must include 60 credits not in the first degree and at least 30 credits completed at AU (with at least 30 senior-level AU credits overall). Preparatory (100-level) courses cannot be used toward a second undergraduate degree. ENGL 255 is strongly recommended early; it can be waived if a student has a B- (70%) or better in an AU English course above the preparatory level or a transfer university-level English course with a B- or better (students must replace the three credits if waived). Maximum PLAR credit is 30. AU will not grant transfer credit for science courses older than 10 years, and some computing courses are subject to staleness rules if older than five years unless students are currently working in the field.

Career prospects

Graduates receive the academic portion of the RAIC Syllabus and, when combined with RAIC studios and supervised work experience and the Graduate Diploma – Architecture, can progress toward the RAIC Syllabus Professional Diploma in Architecture—an alternative path toward licensure in Canada. The program also prepares students for roles in urban and construction planning, design-related positions in the public and private sectors, and other professions concerned with the built environment.

Scholarships & funding angle (general)

Students should explore institutional scholarships and bursaries, external architecture and construction sector awards, employer tuition support for practitioners, and government student aid options where eligible. Those entering via diploma-to-degree or employer-sponsored work placements may be able to combine workplace support with AU funding opportunities; always confirm eligibility and application deadlines with AU and external funders.