Program design guidelines and principles for development of associate degrees
Intent and objectives
Associate Degrees should have the following characteristics:
1. They should provide a guaranteed pathway into one or more relevant Bachelor Degrees (vertical articulation). Students will receive two years advanced standing for a Bachelor Degree in the same discipline. In addition students will receive credit into other relevant degrees (to be determined on a case by case basis).
2. They should provide a guaranteed pathway into one or more relevant Diplomas of Advanced Diplomas (horizontal articulation). All Associate Degrees should be mapped against relevant national and state vocational qualifications and clearly identify entry and exit points. Students will receive a guaranteed level of credit for relevant Diplomas (up to one year) and Advanced Diplomas (up to 1.5 years). In addition students will receive credit into other relevant TAFE qualifications (to be determined on a case by case basis).
The following table summarises the guidelines for Associate Degree credit transfer arrangements:
|
Degree |
Associate Degree (2 years) |
Bachelor Degree (3 years) |
Bachelor Degree (4 years) |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Diploma |
50% |
33% |
25% |
|
Advanced Diploma |
75% |
50% |
37.5% |
3. They should be designed around a common core of courses in the first year in with specialisation in the second year to enable pathways into one or more Bachelor Degrees aligned with the five RMIT industry priorities:
1 Aerospace and Aviation
2. Automotive
3. Media and Communications
4. Built Environment, Construction and Infrastructure; and,
5. Health and Community Services.
4. Courses will comply with the 12 credit point requirement.
5. Associate Degrees can be developed from new or existing courses and will normally include 16 courses.
6. At least one course will be a student elective.
7. Course assessment will use the higher education grading system (HD, D, Cr…).
8. The title will be Associate Degree in Discipline with specialisation (if relevant) indicated in brackets eg Associate Degree in Engineering Technology (Advanced Manufacturing).
9. They should support RMIT’s industry engagement strategy by being aligned with employers’ needs and be explicitly recognised by industry (through professional accreditation where appropriate). They should also incorporate work integrated learning and where possible workplace delivery.
10. They should be sufficiently differentiated and clearly marketed in relation to both Advanced Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees.
11. The development, delivery, review and termination of Associate Degrees will follow the established processes in place for Higher Education programs.
12. RMIT Program Quality Assurance (PQA) processes and systems (use of Student Feedback including course level surveys and staff student consultative committees and program annual reporting) will apply.
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