Athabasca University

What you'll study

The curriculum is structured around six core online courses and milestone tasks that scaffold professional scholarship and research. Students progress sequentially through paced study and cohort activities, culminating in proposal defence, a candidacy examination (EDDE 806), and a doctoral dissertation. Research options span examination of practice, theory-building and basic research; the program can also accommodate conceptual or theoretical interests. Course codes cited in the program sequence include EDDE 801–806.

Entry requirements

Admission normally requires a master’s degree in a relevant field with a minimum grade point average. Applicants should consult the program’s full admission requirements for details on any additional expectations or documentation.

Career prospects

Graduates are prepared for senior and leadership roles related to distance learning: planning, directing, designing, implementing, evaluating, researching and managing distance education and adult learning programs. Typical candidates and future roles include mid-career practitioners, instructional design specialists, program planners, senior managers, policy developers, and academics who wish to specialize in distance education research and scholarship.

Scholarships & funding angle

Specific scholarships or funding arrangements are not listed on this page. Prospective students should investigate institutional scholarships, employer sponsorship (a Letter of Guarantee may be required), and external doctoral funding; the program also specifies program and course fees and a structure of yearly program installments and course tuition.