Design an Online Qualification

DESIGN YOUR OWN COURSE
The Australian Correspondence Schools offers over 450 different online modules.

These can be combined to create a formal qualification that meets your own very specific needs or interests.

In essence, you are able to select and combine modules to create a unique combination. Once all are successfully completed (ie. all assignment work and a final exam must be completed to an approved standard), you are awarded a qualification.

QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE

Proficiency Award (Prof.Awd.)
A proficiency award is a specialist qualification, for people who already have a “foundation” knowledge of a subject; but who wish to undertake limited specialist study in that field. This award allows you to attain a formal qualification without needing to make as much of a commitment as a full certificate.

Requires:

3 modules (combined nominal duration of at least 300 hours). Plus 200 hours of work experience or industry meetings.

Prerequisites: A reputable certificate or higher qualification; or significant industry experience which demonstrates a foundation knowledge in the subject; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent (contact school for more information).
This qualification is not accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council, though it’s modules can be used as credits toward higher, accredited qualifications

Certificate (Cert.)
This would be generally considered equal to or higher than a trade level qualification.
Requires: 6 modules (combined nominal duration of at least 600 hours)
Prerequisites: Year 10; or 1 year of relevant full time work following year 9; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent (contact school for more information).
This award is accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.

Advanced Certificate (Adv.Cert.)
This would normally be considered equal to, or higher than a supervisory qualification.

Requires:

8 modules (combined nominal duration of at least 800 hours) Plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings

Prerequisites: Year 11; or 1 year of relevant full time work following year 10; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent (contact school for more information)
This qualification is accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.

Associate Diploma (Assoc.Dip.)
This would normally be considered appropriate training for lower levels of management or technician training.

Requires:

14 modules (combined nominal duration of at least 1400 hours) Normally including Research Project I Plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings

Prerequisites: Year 12, or 1 year of full time work following year 11; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent (contact school for more information).
This qualification is accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.

Diploma (Dip.)
This would normally be considered a management or professional qualification.

Requires:

20 modules (combined nominal duration of at least 2000 hours) Normally including Research Project I and II Plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings

Prerequisites: Year 12; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent (contact school for more information)
This qualification is accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.

Advanced Diploma (Adv.Dip.)
This may in some situations be considered similar to a foundation degree or associate degree.

Requires:

24 modules (combined nominal duration of at least 2400 hours) Normally including Research Projects I, II and III Plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings

Prerequisites: Year 12; or a reputable certificate (of 600 hrs); or over 21 years of age; or equivalent (contact school for more information)
This qualification is accredited through the International Accreditation and Recognition Council.


SUMMARY OF DESIGN YOUR OWN QUALIFICATIONS

	Proficiency Award	Certificate	Advanced Certificate	Associate Diploma	Diploma	Advanced Diploma
Duration	500 hours	600-700 hours	700-900 hours	1500 hours	2100 hours	2650 hours
Requirements	3 modules; plus 200 hours of work experience or industry meetings.	6 modules.	8 modules; plus 100 hours of industry meetings.	14 modules, normally including Research Project I; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings.	20 modules, normally including Research Project I and II; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings.	24 modules, normally including Research Projects I, II and III; plus 100 hours of work experience or industry meetings.
Pre-requisites	A reputable certificate or higher qualification; or significant industry experience which demonstrates a foundation knowledge in the subject; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent.	Year 10; or 1 year of relevant full time work following year 9; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent.	Year 11; or 1 year of relevant full time work following year 10; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent.	Year 12, or 1 year of full time work following year 11; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent.	Year 12; or a reputable certificate; or over 21 years of age; or equivalent.	Year 12; or a reputable certificate (of 600 hrs); or over 21years of age; or equivalent.
Fee Code	PA	CT	AC	AS	DI	AD
Accreditation	Not accredited	Accredited through I.A.R.C.	Accredited through I.A.R.C.	Accredited through I.A.R.C.	Accredited through I.A.R.C.	Accredited through I.A.R.C.

APPROVAL CRITERIA
Your selection of modules must satisfy the following broad criteria:

• The structured course must be seen to be teaching new knowledge and skills. Modules will not be approved where the student has undertaken similar studies in the same subject area elsewhere in the recent past (within 5 years). ACS does have a program whereby we will recognise your previous studies for credit towards one of qualifications (see below), but obviously studying the same material again is of little help to the student.
• Modules selected must not cover the same topics excessively (eg. Introduction to Computers and Computer Studies I are both introductory computing courses. Both would not be allowed; Agricultural and Horticultural Soil Management are too close to each other).
• For Advanced Certificates and lower qualifications, all modules must bear a relationship to the title of the qualification.
• For Associate Diplomas and above, 90% of modules selected must bear a relationship to the tile of the qualification (ie. 10% can be non related electives).
• The selected combination must make sense, and have purpose.

EXEMPTIONS
ACS has a program whereby students can apply for credit towards our qualifications based upon previous studies or relevant experience. Credit may be granted on the basis of:

• Past studies in a similar subject area. We will not grant more than 33% of a qualification on the basis of studies which have been used to gain credit in this or another institution
• Work experience, which can be proven to be significant and accurate, in it’s learning value. This proof may be verified through reputable references; or alternatively through sitting an examination, for which a fee, double that of the normal exam fee, will apply.
• Not more than 66% of any ACS qualification will be granted by exemptions (ie: both study and work experience) should ever be credited this way; and rarely more than 50% if the case is exceptional.

ENROLLMENT APPLICATION PROCEDURE
Enroll in the same way that you would enroll for any other course, writing "Design your own …." where you are asked what to enroll in. Attach an explanatory letter to your enrollment form (or email us a letter as soon as you send the enrollment form). The letter should list the combination of modules, which you seek approval to study. Your combination needs to be approved by a tutor, before the enrollment is accepted. If one or more subjects are not acceptable, the tutor will suggest other options. If you are applying for exemptions based on prior work experience and/or study, then you will need to request an application for Recognition of Prior Learning from the School. This RPL form will need to be processed before your course program is approved. The enrollment will not be processed until you consider and accept any proposed options.

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