COURSE STRUCTURE
A Proficiency Award requires the completion of 3 modules and demonstration of 200 hours work experience.
THE MODULES
This comprises a set syllabus consisting generally around 30 lessons that relate to a particular specialist theme. A Proficiency Award allows you to study subjects in a highly specialised area. You select and study three short courses of your own choice, which relate to each other (eg. Three crops or three landscaping short courses). In addition, you must complete 200 hrs of approved work experience before receiving the award. Approval of course structure must be obtained before enrolling.
You may choose your 3 modules from any three offered in our horticulture programs. They must however be each of 100 hr duration; and each needs to be with a course code starting with V or B (Note: Codes that start with "A" are considered only appropriate for adult/hobby education)
For all the modules available in horticulture please visit http://www.acsedu.com/courses/horti.aspx
Your choice must also be approved by a member of the academic staff.
PROJECT
This is the final requirement that you must satisfy before receiving your award. There are various options available to you to satisfy this requirement, including the following:
Option 1.
If you work in a relevant industry situation (related to the modules taken) that you have been studying; you may submit a reference from your employer, in an effort to satisfy this industry (ie. workplace project) requirement; on the basis of RPL (ie. recognition for prior learning), achieved through your current and past work experience.
The reference must indicate that you have skills and an awareness of your industry, which is sufficient for you to work in a position of responsibility.
Option 2.
Workplace Projects I and II. These each involve a series of 3 Problem Based Learning projects. With problem-based learning, students are assessed on their ability to go through a problem solving process.
Research shows that PBL gives the learner greater long-term benefits than traditional learning, and many successful and progressive universities around the world use it in their courses. Graduates of PBL courses advance faster and further in their careers.
- Other benefits of PBL:
- Develops critical and creative thinking;
- Creates effective problem-solvers;
- Increases motivation;
- Encourages lateral thinking;
- Improves communication and networking skills;
- Is based on real-life situations.
Option 3.
If you do not work in the relevant industry, another option is to undertake a project as follows.
Procedure for a Workplace Project
This project is a major part of the course involving the number of hours relevant to the course (see above). Although the course does not contain mandatory work requirements, work experience is seen as highly desirable.
This project is based on applications in the work place and specifically aims to provide the student with the opportunity to apply and integrate skills and knowledge developed through various areas of formal study.
Students will design this project in consultation with a tutor to involve industry based activities in the area of specialized study which they select to follow in the course. The project outcomes may take the form of a written report, folio, visuals or a mixture of forms. Participants with relevant, current or past work experience will be given exemption from this project if they can provide suitable references from employers that show they have already fulfilled the requirements of this project.
Students will be assessed on how well they achieve the goals and outcomes they originally set as part of their negotiations with their tutor. During each project, the students will present three short progress reports. These progress reports will be taken into account when evaluating the final submission. The tutor must be satisfied that the work submitted is original.
