Master (Grad Dip, Grad Cert) of Childhood and Youth StudiesInformation for students commencing 2013

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About this Course

The Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Master of Childhood and Youth Studies are designed to meet the needs of people working, or intending to work, with children, young people and their families.

The course aims to develop the knowledge and skills of professionals, enabling them to respond more effectively to the issues that impact children, young people and families across a diverse range of contexts. It incorporates the latest research and explores the ways that children, childhood and youth are conceptualised within family, community and international settings, including the theories, policies and practices that can inform professional practice. Participants benefit from the opportunity to apply their learning immediately in the workplace.

Study is offered by distance education with online interaction and guest presentations.

Candidates can choose to complete the four unit Graduate Certificate, eight unit Graduate Diploma or twelve unit Masters or can enrol in single units as accredited professional development, leaving their options open for continuing on to the awards at a later date.

Career Opportunities

These awards are specifically designed for professionals such as social workers, health professionals, youth workers, family dispute resolution practitioners, case workers, psychologists, welfare workers, community development personnel, teachers, policemen and women, lawyers, government policy-makers, and researchers.

The qualifications are suited to positions in community services, child and family health services, community-based education settings, child and youth services, family relationships centres, community development, juvenile justice, government and non-government policy-making agencies, research and consultancy requiring higher level knowledge and skills in relation to children and young people.

Major Areas of Study

The course includes studies in:

Child protection and participation
Children and the law
Children’s rights
Social and emotional wellbeing
Drugs, alcohol and sexual health
Program evaluation
Research with and for children

Course Structure and Units (Subjects)

Important - Please contact the University for confirmation of the course structure prior to acting on this information. The University accepts no liability for any loss suffered by reason of reliance on this information.

To qualify for the Master of Childhood and Youth Studies a total of 12 units (144 credit points) must be completed.

This course offers intermediate awards (entry and/or early exit points) at Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma levels.

Please note that some majors and units may not be available at each location. Unit availabilities are published for each study period and vary from year to year. Please contact the School for further information.

For course rules and a full list of units, please refer to the Specific Award Rules below.

Course Summary

Locations
Distance Education	Session 1 Session 2^* ^ Master and Grad Cert only. The Grad Dip is only available in Session 1.*
Lismore	Unavailable
Coffs Harbour	Unavailable
Gold Coast Southern Cross Drive, Bilinga	Unavailable
Course Duration	GradCert — 1 year part-time GradDip — 1 year full-time; 2 years part-time Masters — 1.5 years full-time; 3 years part-time
Fees and Charges	• Domestic fees • Additional fee information
School	School of Education
Admission, Enrolment and General Enquiries	scu.edu.au/enquiries
Further Information	Ph: 1800 626 481

Total Units:	Award Abbreviation:	2013 ATAR equivalent/OP:
GradCert — 4 GradDip — 8 Master — 12	GradCertChildYouthSt GradDipChildYouthSt MChildYouthSt	N/A
UAC Course Code	QTAC Course Code	CRICOS Course Code
N/A	N/A	N/A

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Teaching Methods

Innovative online technologies are used to facilitate enhanced interaction and content delivery. Units are delivered online and most include regular online interaction and guest presentations by national and international experts in the field. This provides opportunities for students to discuss content and issues as a group and with their tutor.

Units are offered across the University's three study sessions, enabling students to fast track their studies.

Learning Resources

MySCU is a student’s point of entry to a range of online services and resources that support study and student life. The portal includes unit learning sites and information sites where students can access resources, communication tools and useful links that are integral to their studies.

The web-based program Blackboard Collaborate delivers advanced on-line learning environments for students and lecturers to communicate and collaborate through virtual meeting spaces and classrooms. They can share files, presentations, and applications. If the session is recorded, students can view it afterwards.

Learning materials include the provision of unit information guides, study guides and books of readings. Students may need to purchase or access prescribed text books.

The SCU Library provides a wide range of services including librarian assistance, print and electronic resources, a document delivery service, catalogues, databases, ebooks, ereadings, and full-text journal literature.

The Academic Skills Development team supports student learning by offering online and on-campus academic skills workshops, email, phone, and one-on-one support.

Assessment Methods

Most units have two assessment tasks. There is a strong focus on authentic and professionally-relevant assessment. There are no written examinations.

Equipment and Facilities

General campus resources are available including access to computer laboratories for individual study purposes.

How to Apply

Further application requirements specific to this degree

Please note: You must provide certified copies of your academic qualifications (e.g. a full academic transcript signed by a Justice of the Peace).

Direct Applications

Apply Online

The following applications to study can be made online, directly to SCU:

Undergraduate courses by distance education and all honours courses
All postgraduate by coursework courses
Higher degrees by research

Online applications for the Master of Childhood and Youth Studies involve four key steps:

Register your details to create an account or login to access your applications
Select the exact course you want to apply for
Answer the questions and submit documents
Submit your application

Once registered you can exit and return to your application at any time.

Advanced Standing

At Southern Cross University, your previous study or work experience may help you cut time off your degree.

Recognition of Previous Study
Advanced standing may be granted to a student for tertiary studies successfully completed within the last ten years at this university or at another approved post secondary institution including TAFE, private providers or other universities.
Recognition of Professional Experience
Advanced standing may be granted on the basis of current professional-level experience, skills or expertise that are deemed to be equivalent to Southern Cross University units available in this course.

We recommend that you apply for advance standing at the same time as you apply for admission into this course, because the amount and type of credit awarded will determine your study plan.

For more details and how to apply please visit the Advanced Standing website.

Master of Education

Specific Award Rules

See the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, in conjunction with the Specific Award Rules listed below.

4.1 Qualification for Admission

As an alternative to Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a of the University's Rules Relating to Awards, applicants for admission to candidature in the Master of Childhood and Youth Studies may be selected where one or more of the following has been satisfied:
1. have completed the Graduate Diploma of Childhood and Youth Studies; or
2. can demonstrate academic or professional standing considered by the School Board to be equivalent to the requirements of Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a or 4.1(a)(i).
As an alternative to Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a of the University's Rules Relating to Awards, applicants for admission to candidature in the Graduate Diploma of Childhood and Youth Studies may be selected where one or more of the following has been satisfied:
1. have completed the Graduate Certificate of Childhood and Youth Studies; or
2. can demonstrate academic or professional standing considered by the School Board to be equivalent to the requirements of either Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a or Rule 4.1(b)(i).
As an alternative to Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a of the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, applicants for admission to candidature in the Graduate Certificate of Childhood and Youth Studies may be selected where they can demonstrate academic or professional standing considered by the School Board to be equivalent to the requirements of Rule 2 Section 3 Clause (20)a of the University’s Rules Relating to Awards.
All applicants for admission to candidature must provide evidence of at least one year’s experience in a field of employment acceptable to the School Board.

4.2 Requirements for an Award

To be eligible for the award of Master of Childhood and Youth Studies a candidate shall successfully complete not less than twelve (12) units comprising:
1. All units from Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
2. Two (2) units from Part B of the Schedule;
3. Four (4) units from Part C of the Schedule not otherwise completed in Part B
4. all units from Part D of the Schedule.
To be eligible for the award of Graduate Diploma of Childhood and Youth Studies a candidate shall successfully complete not less than eight (8) units comprising:
1. All units from Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
2. Two (2) units from Part B of the Schedule;
3. Four (4) units from Part C of the Schedule not otherwise completed in Part B.
To be eligible for the award of Graduate Certificate of Childhood and Youth Studies a candidate shall successfully complete not less than four (4) units comprising:
1. All units from Part A of the Schedule of Units attached to these Rules;
2. Two (2) units from Part B of the Schedule;
A candidate who while enrolled for the Master of Child and Youth Studies has completed the requirements of the Graduate Diploma of Child and Youth Studies may elect to be awarded the Graduate Diploma following withdrawal from candidature for the Master's award.
A candidate who while enrolled for the Master of Child and Youth Studies has completed the requirements of the Graduate Certificate of Child and Youth Studies may elect to be awarded the Graduate Certificate following withdrawal from candidature for the Master's award.
A candidate who while enrolled for the Graduate Diploma of Child and Youth Studies has completed the requirements of the Graduate Certificate of Child and Youth Studies may elect to be awarded the Graduate Certificate following withdrawal from candidature for the Graduate Diploma award.

4.3 Advanced Standing

Candidates may be granted advanced standing in accordance with Rule 2 Section 4, provided that advanced standing shall not be granted for studies completed towards another award.