Student Entry Policy

STUDENT ENTRY POLICY
Rationale
The provision of course requirements ensures that there is a system for establishing and clearly publicising student entry requirements that are clear and includes no unreasonable barriers.
Purpose
1. To ensure that student entry requirements for courses are reasonable, clear and well publicised.
2. To ensure that adequate recognition is given to prior learning.
3. To ensure that students who move from one accredited provider to TCI will not be expected to undertake any course for which credit has already been gained.
4. To provide a mechanism by which pre-requisites can be waived in special circumstances.
5. To ensure the portability of courses taught at TCI to other educational institutions.
Guidelines
Pre-requisites
1. TCI will follow all programme pre-requisites established by relevant bodies or any other qualifications/programme provider with which TCI is linked.
2. All pre-requisites and TCI based entry requirements will be published in the annual Prospectus.
3. Where no qualification/programme/course pre-requisite exists, TCI’s own entry requirements will apply. These requirements will be fair, applied consistently and published in advance.
4. A student may in certain circumstances apply to the Director of Academic Studies to have pre-requisites waived (e.g. prior learning, academically able student, equivalent overseas assessments/certification, etc). In such circumstances discussion should also include the teaching site Co-ordinator.
5. There will be a formal procedure for application for recognition of prior learning. (See Application for Credit for Previous Studies and/or Recognised Prior and Current Learning).
6. Teaching site co-ordinators will be responsible for monitoring students’ choice of courses, to ensure that they have completed the appropriate pre-requisite where required.
7. Students will be provided with access to appropriate and timely guidance and support in order to make informed decisions regarding choice of courses.
Prospectus
1. TCI will provide each year a Prospectus, which includes among other things, entry requirements for each programme and for particular courses.
2. Where a teaching site co-ordinator or teaching staff member wishes to establish a pre-requisite or co-requisite for a particular course/s, e.g. in light of the specific content and learning outcomes of a course, moderation information, through tracking of student achievement, etc., application must be made to the Director of Academic Studies. The Director of Academic Studies (after consultation with the Academic Board) will communicate to the applicant the results of the application.
Conclusion
Students are fully informed about course requirements when choosing their programmes of study.
Details of Entry Requirements
The entry requirements for the Certificate of Catechetical Studies are:
 Students must be enrolled at the Colleges of Education at Waikato, Massey, Victoria and Canterbury universities, or any other College of Education.
 Students show an interest in teaching in Catholic integrated Primary or Secondary schools
 Students can apply for entry irrespective of their faith tradition.
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The entry requirements for the Certificate in Catholic Youth Ministry are:
 No prerequisites except for a proven ability to cope with tertiary education, or at least a motivation to learn at this level
 Entry is open to all adult students. Adults are those who are above secondary school age, that is above the age of 17
 Adults who are already, or are interested, in ministering to youth
 Adults who are already, or interested in, working in parishes, chaplaincies, schools or other church settings
 Adults who are interested in continuing their studies in understanding of faith
 Students can apply for entry irrespective of their faith tradition.
The entry requirements for the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry (Hospitals):
 No prerequisites except for a proven ability to cope with tertiary education, or at least a motivation to learn at this level
 Entry is open to all adult students. Adults are those who are above secondary school age, that is above the age of 17
 Adults who are already, or are interested, in ministering to the sick
 Adults who are interested in continuing their studies in understanding of faith
 Students can apply for entry irrespective of their faith tradition.
The entry requirements for the Certificate in Pastoral Ministry (Prisons) are:
 No prerequisites except for a proven ability to cope with tertiary education, or at least a motivation to learn at this level
 Entry is open to all adult students, that is above the age of 17
 Adults who are already in prison ministry, or are interested in ministering to prisoners
 Adults who are interested in continuing their studies in understanding of faith
 Students can apply for entry irrespective of their faith tradition.
The entry requirements for the Diplomas in Religious Education, Pastoral Ministry and Theological Studies:
 No prerequisites for entry
 Entry is open to all adult students. Adults are those who are above secondary school age, that is above the age of 17
 Adults who are already, or are interested, in teaching Primary or Secondary integrated Catholic school students
 Adults who are already, or interested in, working in parishes or other church settings
 Adults who are interested in continuing their studies in understanding of faith
 Students can apply for entry irrespective of their faith tradition.
The entry requirements for the Diplomas in Scripture Studies are:
 No prerequisites for entry
 Entry is open to all adult students. Adults are those who are above secondary school age, that is above the age of 17
 Adults who are already, or are interested, in teaching Primary or Secondary integrated Catholic school students
 Adults who are already, or interested in, working in parishes or other church settings
 Adults who are interested in continuing their studies in understanding of scripture and faith
 Students can apply for entry irrespective of their faith tradition.
The entry requirements for the Diploma in Pastoral Leadership are:
 No prerequisites except for a proven ability to cope with tertiary education, or at least a motivation to learn at this level
 Entry is open to all adult students. Adults are those who are above secondary school age, that is above the age of 17
 There are no barriers to entry requirements
 Students can apply for entry irrespective of their faith tradition.
The entry requirements for the Master of Educational Leadership are:
 A recognised Bachelor of Education degree and a professional teacher education qualification or
 A recognised first degree and a recognized course of professional teacher education
 Admission may also be granted through Special Entry as provided by the Australian Catholic University Regulations.