Athabasca University : Master of Science - Information Systems Reviews
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Lau2468
(In Progress) on September 9, 2011
(email verified)
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Good program but not much help from tutors
AU is classified as a research university. Computer Science and Information System department holds three or four Canadian Tier 1 or 2 research chairs. I take this program to upgrade my credential, and get a chance to do something really significant(the final integration project or thesis).
I was granted exemption for all IS foundation courses, and I am half way into my Master of Science degree. The courses are rigorous and demanding, but there is not much help from the tutors. Mostly learn everything by myself by completing the numerous research paper assignments. Each course had at least 3 to 4 research assignment and may be plus a final examination. Some other students in my class really struggled with their research papers, but for me, I can now write a good quality IS research paper without any problem. This is very similar to my B.C.I.T. bachelor of technology degree where I was given projects after projects in computer programming and system design. After some course from B.C.I.T., I have no trouble completing any programming and system design projects.
AU is really not for everyone. If you cannot learn by yourself, then you are wasting money with these kind of programs. If you think Athabasca U's on-line programs are an easy way to get a degree, then you are wasting your money.
There tuition fee is reasonable, $1400 (2011) for a 3 credit master level course, including text book (if any). They also charge for course extension and other fees, but these are normal for any college/university.
There tutors/professors are all PhDs and some academic coordinators(who also teach) have Master degree. Some do provide really feedback to my assignments but some just send me a mark.
Will I recommend this program to others? Yes, if you are smart and have good self discipline.
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Anonymous
(In Progress) on August 18, 2011
(email verified)
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A great experience
I am into my second year of the MScIS program and so far my experience with the institution has been nothing but positive. The MScIS program is well structured and the instructor team is experienced and extremely competent in their field. In fact, each instructor I've had so far was an accomplished researcher as well. Add to that the fact that AthabascaU is a public, non-profit institution, and you have another of my reasons for putting my trust in Athabasca rather than the many other privately-owned online degrees providers I have reviewed.
I have read many of the negative reviews and rants about the institution, so I suppose I should feel fortunate to have had such a great experience. But let's face it: this is distance education, and succeeding in this program requires self-discipline, self-motivation and self-learning skills. You just can't expect to have the instructor guide you every step of the way. And yes, a textbook by mail is what you get most of the time. No live/recorded lectures. But at least, AthabascaU has a decent learning management systems (Moodle) that provides guidance and allows the "class" to interact through discussion forums and messaging. And yes, course fees are somewhat higher than regular classes, but this is a very small price to pay for the convenience and flexibility the program affords.
I am now embarking onto the final journey of the program on the thesis route, and I have been fully integrated into one of Athabasca's research groups. The group is geographically dispersed, but with the use of technologies such as Skype and Adobe Connect physical distance simply does not come into play! Quite a clean departure from preconceived notions of distance learning!
In light of the above, I will not hesitate to recommend Athabasca to my colleagues. Again, this is not for the faint of heart, I actually found the program to be more demanding than traditional in-class curricula. But the payoffs have been substantial so far for me!
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