Graduate Diploma in Architecture

Applicants to the GDA program must have met the following requirements:

1. Completion of the Athabasca University Bachelor of Science in Architecture (BSc Arch) degree with a minimum grade point average of 2.3; or,
2. A baccalaureate degree in architecture* from an accredited post-secondary institution as evaluated by the Program Admissions Committee, with a minimum grade point average of 2.3.

Exception: RAIC Syllabus students may be admitted to the GDA who have:

1. Successfully completed Parts 1 and 2 of the existing Syllabus with at least an overall GPA of 2.3; and
2. Fulfilled the work experience requirements of Part 2 within the Syllabus Diploma.

Examples of acceptable undergraduate degrees

The following undergraduate degrees are examples of the kinds of credentials that will be considered for admission:

1. a 4-year Bachelor of Science with a major in architecture
2. a 4-year Bachelor of Environmental Design

An acceptable undergraduate degree should also include the equivalent of at least 18 credits in design studio courses, 12 credits in building science, and 12 credits in theory or history.

Transfer credit

Some students may also request advance standing in the GDA in the form of transfer credits. Transfer credits will only be allowed from equivalent courses at the Master's level. A maximum of 6 transfer credits will be permitted. The final studio and the professional practice courses are all mandatory.

Non-program students

Students who wish to take a few courses to begin a career in architecture, or to be considered for promotion, or are simply interested in the topic and do not wish to register in the GDA, may register as non-program students. Students wishing to enrol in the GDA program as a non-program student must hold a baccalaureate degree from a recognized post-secondary education institution. All persons applying for non-program status will be required to submit confirmation of successful completion of an undergraduate degree. Applicants may be asked to submit a resumé in support of their non-program application. Students are accepted into the GDA program at the discretion of Athabasca University. Some courses may have limited enrolment. Application information can be found on the RAIC Centre for Architecture website.

Non-program students who are interested in the Design Studio courses will be required to complete the course prerequisites prior to registering within these studios.

All materials for non-program student registration (including the application form and fees) must be completed in full and received 1 month prior to the course start date.

Non-program students may take up to 2 GDA courses in total.

English language proficiency

There are minimum English language proficiency requirements allowed for admission to a graduate program at Athabasca University. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet the minimum requirements.

1. Complete and submit the online graduate-level Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA) application form along with the non-refundable application processing fee.
2. Wait for confirmation of receipt via email (which will include login and password information).
3. Once you have received confirmation, you must submit the following:
   
   Official Transcript(s) of post-secondary education.
   
   Applicants other than graduates of Athabasca University must arrange for official transcripts of their academic records be transferred through MyCreds™ or sent directly to:
   
   Office of the Registrar
   Athabasca University
   1 University Drive
   Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
   
   Applicants submitting any official documents (e.g. transcripts) in a language other than English must provide an official translation of such documents.
4. Await official confirmation of acceptance into the program.
5. Submit the online admission fee upon acceptance into the program.

The Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA) will allow students to build on the principles and skills attained in the BSc Arch degree. Accordingly, students will explore advances in environmental design and urban theory, as well as management theory and practice. As this is a graduate program, students are required to complete an independent project and submission of a diploma comprehensive project report.

Note: Syllabus students may only take face to face studios (these have the designation "RAIC"). Non-Syllabus students take virtual studios (these have the designation ADST).

Program withdrawal

Students may withdraw from the Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA) program by submitting their request in writing to the program director. Students who withdraw may be re-enrolled in the program by following the application procedures. Students requesting re-admission to the program will be competing against all other applicants and will not receive special consideration.

Completion time limits

Students must complete the GDA program within 5 years.

Course delivery

Except for the design studios, the Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA) courses completed through Athabasca University (AU) are delivered by individualized study; a self-directed learning environment. Students will communicate with their course professor via telephone and email and send assignments over the Internet through the learning management system. These courses may be taken year-round, and will begin on the first day of every month. Students will have 6 months to complete a three-credit course.

However, the 3 virtual Design Studio courses (designated "ADST") are completed within a paced group study delivery method.

Students will require access to a computer with configurations and software as outlined in the computer requirements. As instructional support is provided through an online environment, it is important that students have regular and reliable internet access.

Course extensions

Students who cannot complete their course on or before their course contract end date may apply for an extension by submitting an Extension Request Form along with the applicable fee.

Students may apply for 1 extension only per course on or before the original course contract end date. The extension starts on the first day following the original course contract end date. An extension provides students with an additional 2 months with full instructor support. The schedule for completing the course within the extension period is the responsibility of the student.

One extension per course will be granted to any one student. If the required course work has not been submitted by the end of the extension period, a failing grade will be assigned.

Course withdrawals

Students may withdraw from a course by filling out the Course Withdrawal Request Form only if the final examination has not been written.

Early withdrawal (within 30 days of course start date)

Students may withdraw from a course within 30 days of their course start date for a refund of the full course fee less the Withdrawal Processing fee. The registration will not appear on the transcripts and will be deleted from the official record. The student should not return the course materials.

Withdrawal (After 30 days of the course start date)

Students may withdraw from a course at any time up to the end of the original course end date without academic penalty. A “W” will appear on the transcript which means a student has withdrawn without credit and without prejudice. There is no refund and course materials should not be returned.

Failing to withdraw

If a student does not formally withdraw from the course before the course end date, and does not complete the course, the official record will reflect an “F” (Failure). A grade of zero will be assigned and calculated into the cumulative average. There is no refund and course materials should not be returned.

Refunds

Students will receive a refund of the full course tuition fee minus the course withdrawal processing fee (refer to Fees) if they withdraw from the course within the first month of the course start date. Students wishing to withdraw from a course(s) before the first day of class will receive a partial refund (full tuition fee minus the withdrawal processing fee).

Grading system

All courses will be graded using the Alpha/4.0 grading scale.

Please review the Graduate Grading Policy and Academic Records FAQ for more information on grading scales.

A non-refundable convenience charge will be charged when using Visa or Mastercard to pay student fees. American Express is no longer an accepted method of payment. For more information on the convenience charge, please visit the Financial Services website.

The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (G.S.T.). G.S.T. is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)

¹Graduate Diploma in Architecture (GDA) Course Tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology fee of $167 and Course Materials fee of $37 per course, plus the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fees of $14 per credit.

Estimated program tuition cost (2024 - 2025):

The total tuition cost for a student living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, would be $17,688 ($1,988 x 7, three-credit course equivalents, plus $3,772, one six-credit course equivalent). AUGSA fees, the Course Administration and Technology fee, and Course Materials fee are included in this calculation. Application and admission fees are not.

Other fees

² The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a student withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees (see above) less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to Course Withdrawal.

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.