“Through the Grant MacEwan website, I was able to link up with eCampusAlberta and discovered that pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Applied Communications in the Professional Writing program didn’t have to mean ‘full time.’ I could take the courses I needed from my home in Morinville.

Finally, education was compatible with my schedule. What a huge benefit to those of us who are working full time or raising families.”
– Debra LeBlanc, Professional Writing, Grant MacEwan College

Overview of eCampusAlberta Online Course Delivery Model

eCampusAlberta provides the infrastructure (website, server and software) that facilitates the online learning experience for the student. Member institutions develop and provide instruction for their own online courses and online programs.

Students living anywhere in the province may take advantage of post-secondary education offered by Alberta colleges and technical institutes and still have access to the on-campus services offered by a partner institution located near their home.

The lead and partner model enables students to take online courses from any member institution in the province while accessing the educational services, such as the library, academic counselling and exam supervision at the institution that is located closest to them.

The lead institution offers the course. For example, if an online course created by Medicine Hat College was offered through eCampusAlberta and a student in Fort McMurray wanted to take that course, Medicine Hat would provide the instruction and course materials while Keyano College (located in Fort McMurray) would be student’s partner institution.

The partner institution provides educational support services to students. These may include assistance with library services, exam supervision and academic services, such as study skills enhancement instruction to name a few.

Learners register with the lead institution and select a partner institution that is located close to them at the same time.

Read the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

More about eCampusAlberta
eCampusAlberta is a consortium of 15 Alberta post-secondary institutions that was established in 2002 to facilitate greater access to high quality online learning (online education) opportunities for Alberta students. The organization enables students to choose from more than 50 provincially accredited programs – online certificates, online diplomas and online applied degrees – and 400 online courses.

Online education or eLearning as a modern form of distance education, has become increasingly popular in Alberta and across Canada over the past few years, especially as Internet technology has enabled better communication between instructors and students. Students typically choose distance learning or eLearning when they require flexibility in their studies to enable them to pursue other occupations, such as working full time, running a business or raising a family.

Some eCampusAlberta colleges and technical institutes also offer continuing education (non-credit) and adult upgrading programs and courses to students online.

Learn more about the online courses and programs offered through eCampusAlberta.

Learn more about online education and whether it may be right for you.