Program student FAQs

Transcripts from other institutions must be submitted for evaluation to determine if the coursework is acceptable for credit transfer. Your transcripts cannot be officially evaluated unless you are enrolled in a program at Athabasca University. However, to find out how your course credits might transfer to an AU degree, use our online transfer credit assessment tool.

You can request an evaluation of your previous coursework by completing the Undergraduate General Application, or Change of Program if you are already an existing AU student.

More information on evaluations and transfer credit can be found in the Undergraduate Calendar.

Students enrolled in a 4-year Bachelor of Arts program, as either a first or second undergraduate degree, generally have the option to combine 2 majors into a double major.

Students who take double majors must fulfill all requirements for both majors. The selected majors may significantly restrict course selection options (particularly in the second undergraduate degree program) or require the completion of more than 120 credits.

Students considering enrolling in double majors should consult with an Athabasca University advisor to select their programs and courses.

To change programs online, log in to myAU and under "Manage my Program", select "Change my Program". To change programs by mail or fax, complete and submit Athabasca University’s General Application form.

You must comply with regulations that are in effect at the time the change takes place. Course work completed previously, including transfer credit, will be reassessed and applied towards your new program following the applicable regulations.

Athabasca University students may also return to a previous program of study or version of a program, but only if that program or version is still being offered.

If you are currently enrolled in a program of study that is no longer offered or has changed substantially, you should carefully consider your options before requesting enrollment in a new program. Athabasca University’s advisors are ready to assist you in determining the results of your requested change in credentials.

For more information about changing your program, contact an Advisor.

We suggest logging into Degree Works and looking at how your transfer credits have been applied to your program to understand better how any credits granted fit in. If you would like further assistance interpreting your transfer credit evaluation report, contact a student advisor.

For assistance specific to Faculty of Business programs, email your request to business-support@athabascau.ca.

For assistance specific to the Faculty of Science programs, email your request to fst_success@athabascau.ca

At Athabasca University, completion time limits vary depending on your program. You decide how long it will take to complete your credential within the program’s predetermined range.

Your file at AU will remain open if you take a minimum of 1 course per year. You will become an inactive student if you are not registered for an Athabasca University course within 12 months of the completion date, the contract date, or the date of withdrawal of your last course, or you are not in the process of completing a course on a Letter of Permission from AU.

For information about specific program requirements, browse our programs online and view our undergraduate and graduate calendars. Our student advisors can provide you with a copy of AU’s individual program regulations and help you plan your program.

Your course fees will vary depending on your location.

• Fees for Canadian students
• Fees for non-Canadian students
• Fees for students living outside of Canada

Our online course fee calculator can help you determine your course fees before you register.

Undergraduate course fees include all textbooks and materials. They are:

• tuition
• learning resources fees (course material fee)
• mandatory fees

They entitle the student to receive the course materials and support services required to complete the course during the period of active registration.

• Academic-related fee listing
• Estimated program fees
• Fee summary

PLAR

Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR) is a process designed to award you credit towards your degree or certificate at Athabasca University by recognizing the learning you have acquired from life experience, job training, workshops, seminars or other experience.

Visit What is PLAR? to learn more.

Transfer credit

Transfer credits are credits granted for the successful completion of post-secondary course work at another recognized organization.

Use the transfer credit assessment tool to determine how your previous education could be assessed towards an AU program.

Additional information on transfer credits is available here:

• Evaluations and transfer credit
• How do I transfer credit?
• Transfer Alberta

English Writing Skills Requirement

Some AU programs require successful completion of an English Writing Requirement. To graduate, students must meet the following English writing skills requirement:

• hold credit in ENGL 255 (students are strongly encouraged to register in ENGL 255 early in their program)

or

• have a grade of B- (70 per cent) or better in an Athabasca University English course above the preparatory (100) level

or

• receive credit for an English course with a B- or better

We recommend that you begin with the required courses or electives as specified within the requirements. If you do not have any previous post-secondary education, you should consider starting with junior (200) level courses.

While you wait for the completion of the evaluation of your previous education, you may register in a course(s). However, if your course duplicates previously completed course work, you will receive credit for 1 course only. Athabasca University cannot officially approve any courses as being applicable to your program until your evaluation assessment is complete. If you register in a course and are subsequently given transfer credit for a similar course completed previously, you have the option of withdrawing from the course. Completing one course initially before attempting multiple courses is a great first step as it helps to establish a strong learning foundation from which to build.

Course selection assistance can be obtained contacting an advisor.

Athabasca University divides its courses into groups of related subjects. Arts is divided into humanities and social sciences; science includes all science courses; applied studies consist of business and administrative studies and applied Studies. The area designation for each course is shown in each course description. Visit our course listings to filter by area of study.

A discipline refers to courses in a specific subject area; for example, English is a discipline in the humanities, biology in the sciences, and accounting in business and administrative studies.

Review the program planner effective at the start of your enrolment.

Please contact an advisor for an updated program planner and course selection assistance.

You must follow the regulations that were in effect at the time you enrolled. If you become inactive or change your program, you must comply with the regulations currently in effect. Please contact an advisor if you are unsure what regulations to follow.

Degree conversion provision

The degree conversion provision is available to Athabasca University students awarded a 3-year AU degree and wish to convert to a 4-year degree. For more information about this regulation, please review the Degree Conversion Provision Policy.

You can obtain an updated student program plan by contacting the advising team responsible for your program of study. You can find the appropriate advising team by selecting your program of study on our contact page.

Students presenting non-Canadian/non-United States credentials for possible transfer credit to an Athabasca University program must obtain an evaluation of post-secondary course work from an international assessment agency, for example, the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS).

IQAS will assess each student’s international educational documents and compare them to academic credentials in Canada. Athabasca University requires a description of course work evaluation from IQAS. Students must also submit copies of all foreign transcripts to Athabasca University.

If you elect not to use IQAS (or another comparable assessment service. Please see below.), you may not obtain any transfer credit for your course work towards an Athabasca University program. Upon request, the Office of the Registrar will forward your information and an application package to be returned to IQAS.

There are several other foreign credential evaluating services whose assessments will be accepted:

• In Canada
  • Canadian Information Centre for International Credentials.
  • Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada.

• In the United States
  • National Association of Credential Evaluation Services.

• Foreign Education Credential Service
  • American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers.

Athabasca University can also accept assessments from Comparative Education Services (CES) at the University of Toronto.

Athabasca University only accepts detailed course-by-course assessments for assessment purposes.