Athabasca

Discussion in 'General Distance Learning Discussions' started by Kizmet, Jun 9, 2017.

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  1. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  2. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member

    Well, you know, you're in freakin' Alberta. To service the locals you might try programs in caribou herding or oil sand extraction. As for distance learning, you might increase enrollment by announcing that you exist.
     
  3. toronto198

    toronto198 New Member

    This uni is a weird fit for Canada, it's kind of expensive in a place where Canadians will pay less for a better name. Renowned public universities in canada are starting to offer online degrees too.

    It's name is not something that inspire great confidence either. Before looking for online education I never heard of them.
     
  4. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member


    I recall Athabasca getting good notice in this forum perhaps a dozen years ago. That was because online options were limited at that time, or were in some disciplines. At this time I don't know how Athabasca can compete with other schools unless they can offer courses at cut rates.
     
  5. SteveFoerster

    SteveFoerster Resident Gadfly Staff Member

    ...which the last time I checked, they don't.
     
  6. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member

  7. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Precisely what does that mean, Decimon? Alberta has some pretty decent schools, which are not all about caribou-herding or Tar Sands. Athabasca's financial woes are primarily due to the Province cutting their funding from about 80% to about 30%. Their on-campus tuition is about $6,800 which is pretty much normal for the province.

    Yes, plenty of other Canadian Universities offer distance learning, but I haven't found any doing so at bargain rates. I think they should -- but they don't. I'm not defending Athabasca's pricing -- or the others, either. My son took some courses at Athabasca -- paid a lot, but said what he got was good.

    Here's some info on Alberta Universities:

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_universities_in_Canada#Alberta
    Top Universities in Alberta | 2017 Alberta University Ranking
    https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/education/canadian-university-report/alberta/article26898466/

    I wonder what reception I'd get if I wrote something here like "Well, you know, you're in freakin' Oklahoma?" :question: :question:

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 10, 2017
  8. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Some Athabasca students are on-campus, but not all that many. What I should have said is: "A full academic year costs $6,800 in tuition for Alberta Students. More for out-of-Province."

    J.
     
  9. decimon

    decimon Well-Known Member


    Athabasca is in northern Alberta and has a population of about 3,000. What was your question?
     
  10. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Your statement was "well, you know, you're in freakin' Alberta." I just want to know what, if anything that's supposed to explain - what is it (in your view) about Alberta (Pop. ~4.2 million) that makes it "freakin' Alberta?" It seems to have decent schools, a couple of fair-sized cities, smaller ones and many towns - and a lot of folks there wouldn't dream of living elsewhere.

    Heck, I once got a bit of mild disapproval for voicing my opinion on quality of life in the C.A.R. (Central African Republic.)

    And yes, Athabasca U. is located in a very small town. For an online school, how much does that matter?

    J.
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Jun 10, 2017
  11. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

    [​IMG]
     
  12. Johann

    Johann Well-Known Member

    Good one, Kizmet. Aren't those businesses everywhere, though? I know they're here...uh, oh. :shock:

    J.
     
  13. Kizmet

    Kizmet Moderator

  14. CLSeibel

    CLSeibel Member

    Athabasca has extension sites both in Calgary (population 1.2 million) and here in Edmonton (population 930,000). The graduate school of business is located in west Edmonton. Of course, competition is pretty tight in these markets because there are a number of other institutions in both cities. These include the University of Alberta and the University of Calgary, both of which are highly rated globally.

    Athabasca does play an important role in northern Alberta because there are no other universities in that vast region anywhere north of Edmonton. That being said, as has already been noted, as other institutions develop a greater number of online offerings, the uniqueness of Athabasca's contribution is lessened.
     

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