Committed to "breaking down barriers" that prevent well-deserving people from earning college degrees, such as income level, location, prior academic records, and family situations, Athabasca University is known as "Canada's Open University." Virtually anyone can be admitted into and graduate from one of the school's many degree programs, thanks to Athabasca University's distance learning and online educational opportunities.

Founded in Alberta, Canada in 1970, the Alberta government envisioned Athabasca University to be a university that would allow anyone, anywhere to obtain a college degree. The first Canadian university to be awarded accreditation by the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), Athabasca University offers a wide range of undergraduate programs, including bachelor of arts, bachelor of science, bachelor of commerce, and bachelor of health administration, as well as master's degree programs in business, the arts, information systems, health, counseling, and distance education.

Due to Athabasca University's focus on distance learning, the school's campus experience is markedly different from the traditional campus experience. Although they do not physically attend class together, students can connect via various online mediums, such as the Athabasca University Students' Union, which provides students with virtual clubs, coffee groups, study buddies, mentoring, and discussion forums. There is also a quarterly "e-zine" that shares news and information regarding student culture, which students can have sent to them via e-mail to stay in the loop with their online classmates.