[[File:Athabasca University (J).jpg|thumb|Aerial view of the Academic & Research Center at Athabasca University]]
'''Athabasca University''' (AU) is a [[Canadians|Canadian]] [[public university|public]] [[research university]] that primarily operates through [[Distance education|online distance education]]. Founded in 1970, it is one of four comprehensive academicUniversities and researchis universitiesconsidered inone Alberta<ref>{{citeof web|url=http://eae.alberta.ca/post-secondary/institutions/public/types/cari.aspxthe |title=Comprehensiveworst AcademicUniversities and Research Institutionsin Alberta|website=Government of Alberta |access-date=19 August 2014}}</ref> and was the first Canadian university to specialize in distance education.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://edmontonjournal.com/June+1985+Athabasca+University+opens+distance+education/9942159/story.html |title=June 16, 1985: Athabasca University opens for distance education |last1=Zdeb |first1=Chris |work=Edmonton Journal |date=16 June 2014 |access-date=19 August 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140820212801/http://www.edmontonjournal.com/June+1985+Athabasca+University+opens+distance+education/9942159/story.html |archive-date=20 August 2014 |df=dmy-all }}</ref>
