Graduate Applications
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MBA Application Process
Your application package must include the following:
Resume
- A list of current and past job positions (most recent first) that includes
- company name and industry sector
- position duration (month and year) and location
- employment status (full-time or part-time)
- for part-time employment (less than 35 hours per week), average hours worked per week
- Description of duties and responsibilities that includes
- managerial and supervisory experience, including project management
- number of direct reports
- budgetary responsibilities
- Formal education and training that includes
- name of post-secondary institution attended
- degree or program sought or obtained
- start and end dates (month and year)
- academic achievements or awards received
- other training / educational experiences that relate to career and education goals (i.e. courses, workshops attended, etc.)
- Additional information that includes
- informal activities or life experiences that relate to career and graduate education goals
- a list of memberships in professional organizations
- a list of volunteer and community roles and activities
References
The MBA Admissions Committee requires three reference letters, which may be two business references and one academic reference, or three business references.
References must be submitted by individuals who will be able to attest to the depth and breadth of your managerial experience and suitability for graduate level studies.
References submitted by relatives or friends will not be accepted.
Partnership Applicants:
If you are applying under an accounting agreement, you must submit two business references plus one letter confirming membership in good standing from your provincial or territorial association/society.
Essay
To assess your managerial experience and your potential for graduate level studies, completion of a brief (1000 word) essay is required. Please respond to the following four questions in your essay:
- Why do you want to apply to the MBA program?
- How have your managerial responsibilities changed and progressed throughout your career?
- In the positions you have held, what three experiences have had the most impact on the development of your managerial skills and abilities?
- What do you expect the program to offer you in terms of personal development, career development and learning?
Transcripts
Official transcripts of your post-secondary educational achievements must be sent directly to the Faculty of Business, Graduate Studies from the respective institution(s) before the application deadline. These transcripts provide the basis for evaluating your educational history and for determining your capacity for graduate studies.
Your undergraduate (bachelor’s) degree must be a three (3) or four (4) year degree in any discipline from an accredited university.
Applicants applying with an accepted professional designation must submit either official transcripts or an official letter of program completion confirming that the professional designation has been earned and that the member is in good standing.
Please have each institution email official transcripts to: ssq@fb.athabascau.ca
NOTE: If your degree was obtained outside of Canada or the United States, your educational qualifications may require independent assessment*. International transcripts can be assessed by:
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- World Education Services-Canada (WES)
*If you have a degree accredited by the European Quality Improvement System (EQUIS) or Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB), the additional assessment is not required.
Online Form
All applicants are required to complete and submit an online application form. Once you begin the process of applying, the form will save your progress and allow you to return on multiple occasions to complete any required fields and attach required documents.
You may choose to submit the form and all required supporting documents at once or submit one at a time as they are completed.
Applicants without an undergraduate degree must apply to and successfully complete phase one of the MBA (first six courses and comprehensive exam), earning the Graduate Diploma in Management, and then apply to transfer into the remainder of the MBA. When completing the online application form, select GDM as your program type.
Fees
The application fee for Athabasca University Faculty of Business graduate programs is two hundred dollars in Canadian currency ($200 CAD), and is non-refundable.
You will be asked to provide payment by Visa, Mastercard, Debit Visa or Debit Mastercard when you submit your online application.
Additional Fees
Applicants applying to the accelerated entry, with an accounting designation or with the SCMP designation are also required to pay a $276 transfer credit evaluation fee.
Applicants applying to the Hockey Online MBA for executives are required to pay an $800 fee for assessment by the Business of Hockey Institute.
Application Deadlines for the MBA
June 15th, 2020 for a start date of August, 2020
October 15th, 2020 for a start date of January, 2021
March 31th, 2021 for a start date of May, 2021
Graduate & MBA Program Fees
The following fee charts are examples of payment schedules, illustrating the two MBA routes (applied project vs. course based).
In both examples, the student has chosen just one in-residence elective, located in Canada (tuition for international in-residence electives is higher, and varies depending on location).
Tuition fees include textbooks and our learning environment software, but do not include Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel and Powerpoint are required), Internet charges, Graduate Student Association fees ($13 per credit), and some travel and accommodation costs associated with in-residence electives.
A $400 (one-time) program surcharge** applies to students living outside of Canada.
A $276 transfer credit evaluation** fee applies to applicants applying to the accelerated entry, with an accounting designation, or with the SCMP designation.
Regular MBA Program
Applied Project Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Phase One | ||
| Six core courses | $17,586.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Phase Two | ||
| Four core courses | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Two online electives* | $5,862.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in-residence (Canada)* | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Applied Project | $4,512.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $44,584.00 | |
Course Based Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Phase One | ||
| Six core courses | $17,586.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Phase Two | ||
| Four core courses | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Five online electives* | $14,655.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in-residence (Canada)* | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $48,865.00 | |
*You may choose to take your in residence elective outside of Canada, or choose more than one in residence elective. Your selections will affect your overall tuition; your student services coordinator can help you sort through your options.
**The Application fee, admission fee, transfer credit evaluation fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
Accelerated MBA Program
Applied Project Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Core Program | ||
| Two core courses | $5,862.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Electives & Applied Project | ||
| Four core courses | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in residence (Canada)* | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Applied Project | $4,512.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $27,274.00 | |
Course Based Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Core Program | ||
| Two core courses | $5,862.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Electives | ||
| Seven online electives* | $20,517.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in-residence (Canada)* | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $31,555.00 | |
Students are provided with detailed payment schedules upon acceptance into the program. Fees are subject to change.
**The Application fee, admission fee, transfer credit evaluation fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
MBA for Accountants
Applied Project Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Phase One | ||
| Five core courses | $14,655.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Phase Two | ||
| Three core courses | $8,793.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| One online elective* | $2,931.00 | due upon registration |
| Applied project | $4,512.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $36,067.00 | |
Course Based Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Phase One | ||
| Five core courses | $14,655.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Phase Two | ||
| Three core courses | $8,793.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Four online electives* | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in residence (Canada)* | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $40,348.00 | |
All students must take one in residence elective, but you may choose to take more than one. Your selections will affect your overall tuition; your Graduate Enrolment Advisor can help you sort through your options.
Students receive a detailed payment plan upon acceptance into the program; fees are subject to change.
**The Application fee, Admission fee, Transfer credit fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
Accelerated MBA for Accountants
Applied Project Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Two core courses | $5,862.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Three online electives | $8,793.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in residence | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Applied project | $4,512.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $24,343.00 | |
Course Based Route
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Two core courses | $5,862.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Six online electives | $17,586.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in residence (Canada)* | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $28,624.00 | |
You may choose to take your in residence elective outside of Canada, or choose more than one in residence elective. Your selections will affect your overall tuition; your student services coordinator can help you sort through your options.
All students must take at least one elective in residence.
**The Application fee, Admission fee, Transfer credit fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
MBA for Hockey Management
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| MBA Application fee | $200.00 | due with your application |
| BHI Application fee | $800.00 | due with your application |
| MBA Admission fee | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| BHI Admission fee | $4,200.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| MBA Courses | ||
| Six MBA phase one courses | $17,586.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Four MBA phase two courses | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Certified Hockey Professional courses | ||
| Five CHP online courses | $34,155.00 | $6,831.00 each, payable upon registration |
| One CHP in-residence course | $9,900.00 | payable upon registration |
| Total | $79,365.00 | |
All fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.
**The Application fee, Admission fee, Transfer credit fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
Certified Hockey Professional Designation
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| AU Application fee* | $205.00 | due with your application |
| BHI Application fee | $800.00 | due with your application |
| BHI Admission fee | $4,200.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Certified Hockey Professional courses | ||
| Five CHP online courses | $34,155.00 | $6,831.00 each, payable upon registration |
| One CHP in-residence course | $9,900.00 | payable upon registration |
| Total | $49,260.00 | |
All fees are in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.
**The Application fee, Admission fee, Transfer credit fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
MBA for Supply Chain Managers
Applied Project Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Phase One | ||
| Four core courses | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Phase Two | ||
| Four core courses | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| One online elective* | $2,931.00 | due upon registration |
| Elective in residence (Canada)* | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Applied project | $4,512.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $36,067.00 | |
Course Based Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Phase One | ||
| Four core courses | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Phase Two | ||
| Four core courses | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Four online electives* | $11,724.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in residence (Canada)* | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $40,348.00 | |
You may choose to take your in residence elective outside of Canada, or choose more than one in residence elective. Your selections will affect your overall tuition; your student services coordinator can help you sort through your options.
All students must take at least one elective in residence.
**The Application fee, Admission fee, Transfer credit fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
Accelerated MBA for Supply Chain Managers
Applied Project Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Two core courses | $5,862.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Three online electives | $8,793.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in residence | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Applied project | $4,512.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $24,343.00 | |
Course Based Route
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Transfer credit evaluation fee** | $276.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Two core courses | $5,862.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Six online electives | $17,586.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Elective in residence | $3,900.00 | due upon registration |
| Total | $28,624.00 | |
You may choose to take your in residence elective outside of Canada, or choose more than one in residence elective. Your selections will affect your overall tuition; your student services coordinator can help you sort through your options.
All students must take at least one elective in residence.
**The Application fee, Admission fee, Transfer credit fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
Graduate Diploma in Management
| Application & Admission | ||
|---|---|---|
| Application fee** | $200.00 | due with your application |
| Admission fee** | $800.00 | due upon acceptance into the program |
| Phase One | ||
| Six core courses | $17,586.00 | $2,931.00 per course, due upon registration |
| Total | $18,586.00 | |
**The Application fee, admission fee, transfer credit evaluation fee, and international student program surcharge are non-refundable.
DBA Application Process
Your application package must include a completed online application form and the following six components:
Your Resume
Your resume should include the following information:
A list of current and past job positions (most recent first) that includes
- Company name and industry sector
- Position duration (month and year) and location
Description of duties and responsibilities that includes
- Managerial and supervisory experience, including project management
- Number of direct report
- Budgetary responsibilities
Formal education and training that includes
- Name of post-secondary institution(s) attended
- Degree(s) or program(s) sought or obtained
- Start and end dates (month and year)
- Academic achievements or awards
- Other training / educational experiences that relate to career and education goals (i.e. courses, workshops attended, etc.)
Additional information that includes
- Informal activities or life experiences that relate to career and graduate education goals
- A list of memberships in professional organizations
- A list of volunteer and community roles and activities
Three Letters of Reference
References must be submitted by individuals who will be able to attest to the depth and breadth of your managerial experience and suitability for doctoral level studies.
Submit three currently dated letters, one of which is from a current or previous employer. Where possible, one of the three letters should be from an academic who is in a position to judge your previous academic performance. If an academic reference is unavailable, the Admissions Committee will accept three business references. References submitted by relatives or friends will not be accepted.
- Academic Reference Form (PDF)
- Business Reference Form (PDF)
Important: In accordance with the Province of Alberta’s Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, the information contained in letters of reference is not considered confidential. You may, upon request, view the information. It is your responsibility to notify your references of this fact.
An Expression of Research Interests
Compose a 500 to 1,000 word expression of research interests. Note that you are expected to have significant knowledge and experience related to the area of management research you intend to pursue. The proposal should include your research topic, its purpose and practical contributions, its relation to your prior learning and experience, some research questions of interest, and intended methodology in general terms.
Transcripts
Official transcripts of your post-secondary educational achievements, including any professional designation transcripts, must be sent directly to the Faculty of Business from the respective institution(s) before the application deadline. These transcripts provide the basis for evaluating your educational history and for determining your capacity for graduate studies.
Please have each institution email official transcripts to: ssq@fb.athabascau.ca
NOTE: For applicants with degrees obtained outside of Canada or the United States, your educational qualifications may require independent assessment. International transcripts can be assessed by:
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada (ICAS)
- World Education Services-Canada (WES)
Please contact Student Services at 780-488-2832 or 1-800-561-4650 to determine if this applies to you. Details regarding this service will be provided at that time.
Demonstration of English Language Proficiency
Applicants without a high school diploma or a university degree from Canada, Australia, Ireland, New Zealand, U.S.A., United Kingdom, or English speaking West Indies must complete an English Language Proficiency Test.
Acceptable tests and required scores are as follows:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language TOEFL – paper based test (550); computer based test (213)
- University of Michigan English Language Examination Assessment Battery MELAB (80%)
Canadian Test of English for Scholars and Teachers CanTEST (band 4.5 in listening and reading and band 4.0 in writing and oral interview) - International English Language Testing System IELTS (6.5)
Test scores will only be considered if they have been obtained within the past two years and must be sent directly to the Faculty of Business from the testing institution before the application deadline.
Application Fee
The application fee for the online DBA program is two hundred dollars in Canadian currency ($200 CAD), and is non-refundable. Please enclose payment with your application.
DBA Program Fees
| Application Fee* | $200.00 | payable with your application |
| Admission Fee* | $800.00 | payable upon admission |
| Year One | ||
|---|---|---|
| Program Fee* | $4,360.00 | payable in two equal installments |
| Conceptual Foundations of Org Research (DDBA 800) | $4,250.00 | payable upon registration |
| Current Research (DDBA 801) | $4,250.00 | payable upon registration |
| Management in Practice (DDBA 802) | $4,250.00 | payable upon registration |
| Year Two | ||
| Program Fee | $4,360.00 | payable in two equal installments |
| Quantitative Research Methods (DDBA 803) | $4,250.00 | payable upon registration |
| Qualitative Research Methods (DBBA 804) | $4,250.00 | payable upon registration |
| Advanced Readings (DDBA 805) | $4,250.00 | payable upon registration |
| Year Three | ||
| Program Fee | $4,360.00 | payable in two equal installments |
| Dissertation Proposal (DDBA 806) | $4,250.00 | payable upon registration |
| Year Four | ||
| Program Fee | $4,360.00 | payable in two equal installments |
| Candidacy Exam | $5,410.00 | payable upon registration |
| Dissertation Defence | ||
| Total | $53,600.00 | |
Notes:
- Application fee, admission fee, and program fees are non-refundable*
- Graduate Student Association fees of $13 per credit are payable over the course of the program.
- A $400 (one-time and non-refundable) surcharge applies to students residing outside of Canada at the start of the program.
- A full payment schedule is provided upon acceptance into the program.
- The above fee chart is based on a standard expected completion time of four years. Total fees will vary depending on length of time required to complete the dissertation. Once all coursework is complete, students will continue to pay a program fee of $2,180.00 every six months until their dissertation is also complete. Students have a maximum of seven years to complete the program.
- All fees are payable in Canadian dollars and are subject to change.
Application Deadline for the DBA
March 15th, 2021 for a start date of September, 2021
Graduate Diploma in Leadership and Management Application Process
Your application package must include the following:
Resume
- A list of current and past job positions (most recent first) that includes:
- Company name and industry sector
- Position duration (month and year) and location
- Employment status (full-time or part-time)
- For part-time employment (less than 35 hours per week), average hours worked per week
- Description of duties and responsibilities for each position held
- Formal education and training (if applicable) that includes:
- Name of post-secondary institution attended
- Degree or program sought or obtained
- Start and end dates (month and year)
- Other training / educational experiences that relate to career and education goals (i.e. courses, workshops attended, etc.)
- Additional information that includes:
- Informal activities or life experiences that relate to career and graduate education goals
- A list of memberships in professional organizations
- A list of volunteer and community roles and activities
Transcripts
If you have completed prior post-secondary education, official transcripts must be sent directly to the Faculty of Business, Graduate Studies from the respective institution(s).
Please have each institution email official transcripts to: ssq@fb.athabascau.ca
References
One letter of reference must be submitted by individuals who will be able to attest to your work experience and suitability for graduate level studies.
A reference submitted by a relative or friend will not be accepted.