Athabasca University: On-line Higher Education
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There's a popular belief floating around that going to school from home is the easy way to get an education. Being home-schooled afterall, means being able to sleep in, not have any homework deadlines, and do the bare minimum you need to do to get your diploma. Nothing could be farther away from the truth.
I did the regular high-school thing and honestly all I learned was how to stay alive in a hostile environment. I never thought that after high-school I would go on to college. With high tuitions and GPA demands, I would never get in. So, it was labour work for me.
Then I learned about Athabasca University, Canada's Open University. Because I had had poor grades throughout school and still managed to graduate I was attracted to their 'Open' policy (meaning, everyone gets in). As I learned more I discovered that AU is an accredited University for both Canada and the United States.
The whole concept of learning from home was a new experience for me. Being self-diciplined and motivated is something they don't teach kids anymore, myself included. On top of it all I was completely computer illiterate and knew very little about how to write a decent term-paper.
Degrees
Athabasca University is a world leader in Distance Education and they currently have the following degrees and diplomas;
I enjoyed my time with the AU. They had a great, grounded staff who were always around to help. As I look back on my experience learning with them I realized that they are the future of education. Virtual classrooms, exams over the internet, on-line libraries, the possibilities are endless with the Internet and so is the our learning.
Athabasca University News
- Creative Commons Canada re-launch
Athabasca University, BCcampus, and the Samuelson-Glushko Canadian Internet Policy and Public Interest Clinic have joined together to re-establish a CC affiliate team in Canada. - 8 weeks ago
- University recognized for healthy workplace environment
Athabasca University is among nine Alberta employers recently honoured by Premier Allison Redford for making their workplaces both healthier and happier. - 2 months ago
- Open Educational Resources Week
The UNESCO/COL Chair in Open educational Resources, Dr. - 2 months ago
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I know that the University of Phoenix is accredited in Canada, they are very popular among the MBA and management pursuers. There is also Capella University On-line from Minnesota who are accredited to Canadian students as well. Even though a school is accredited doesn't mean you're in the clear. You still need to know what your regional requirements are for what you are pursuing, so that you can meet their criteria and avoid taking unnecessary courses.
Wow, this is great information
Thanks.
To clarify, Athabasca University is not accredited in the United States and the University of Phoenix is not accredited in Canada.
That being said, they don't need to be and would not be. What they do need is acceptance from employers and colleges in the other country for further study.
Good article!
Actually - Athabasca University is accredited in the USA.If you go to the MSCHE web site, they are listed as being accredited. In fact, that is the same commission that accredited the university I attended in Virginia for my undergraduate degree. Direct quote/source is below:
Accreditation in the United States
Athabasca University is the first Canadian university to be awarded accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE). More details about accreditation in the U.S.A. are available.
Here's the link for that Accreditation reference.
http://www.msche.org/institutions_view.asp?idinsti
Thanks for clearing that up.
Great hub! Athabasca is a world renowned distance university.
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Hal Licino 4 years ago
I'm fascinated as to how a Canadian Uni can get accredited in the USA. Do you know if US online Unis such as Uni of Phoenix have reciprocal accreditation in Canada?