Being Consistent about Credit Maureen Bowen Helen Morahan Toni Verschuer 11 May 2009

Objectives Be familiar with the framework of UQ’s rules, policies and procedures regarding credit Gain understanding of current administrative processes Ensure consistency in dealing with credit

TOPICS UQ framework: rules and policies Responsibilities of Faculties and Schools Record keeping SI-net/Academic Advisement Future considerations

UQ is committed to providing first-class learning experiences and outcomes for its students. UQ has won more national teaching awards than any other university. UQ has more than 2200 highly-qualified academic staff dedicated to teaching and research. Flexible learning is part of the University’s overall strategy to deliver an enhanced, student-centred approach to learning. UQ teachers have a 100 percent success rate in the Carrick Citations for Outstanding Contributions to Student Learning. TEACHING AND LEARNING General Award Rules 1.6 Credit for other study 1.7 Credit for other study — dual program 1.8 Cancellation of credit

Credit for other study – GAR 1.6 A student must get one-third of the units required for an award by studies undertaken at the university; and in courses not credited towards another completed award. The credit granted to a student holding more than one award must be no more than the maximum available for the best. GARs and override any program rule.

“UQ teachers are committed to developing new, exciting and innovative ways of promoting the student learning experience.” National teaching award winner Dr Virginia Slaughter TEACHING AND LEARNING Credit for other study – GAR 1.6 cont. The associate dean (academic) may grant credit for a postgraduate course only if the comparable course is a postgraduate course. When a student has been granted credit,credit for that work cannot be credited towards the previous program. In administering a “maximum credit for other study” rule in program rules, treat courses completed in the suite as study completed while enrolled in the program.

“I’m proud to be both a UQ graduate and a UQ research leader. This University has the world-class infrastructure and vibrant research environment that leads to major international research breakthroughs.” Director of the Australian Research Council Centre for Functional Nanomaterials Professor Max Lu RESEARCH AT UQ Credit for other study - dual program – GAR 1.7 A student undertaking a dual program may get credit for a previously completed award, if the associate dean (academic) approves; and the credit sought is no more than one- third of the total units required by the student to complete the dual program. GAR 1.7 overrides any program rule.

Cancellation of credit – GAR1.8 A program may specify the “credit cancellation period” otherwise it is: 3 years for a graduate certificate 5 years for a graduate diploma 7 years for a coursework master 10 years for other programs from when studied, not from when credit was posted. An associate dean (academic) may only cancel credit under this rule if: (a)the program contains no comparable course; or (b)the course was passed or the award gained so long ago that the student is unlikely to be able to continue the current program satisfactorily without undertaking further work.

Rescinding Credit There is no provision in the GARs to rescind credit that has been awarded. The only time that credit can be rescinded is in the case of administrative error.

Handbook of University Policies and Procedures 3.20 Programs, Courses and Awards Maintenance of Academic Records Credit for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning

Maintenance of Academic Records Determination of GPA - transfer credit Credit granted on the basis of studies undertaken outside UQ is excluded in any UQ GPA calculation, unless otherwise specified in University rules or guidelines (e.g. for calculation of University Medals; program rules in relation to Honours etc). Credit granted on the basis of studies undertaken within another program at UQ is excluded in any subsequent UQ program GPA calculation, unless otherwise specified in University rules or guidelines (e.g. for calculation of University Medals; program rules in relation to Honours etc)

UQ conducts a major scholarship round each year where the following equity scholarships are offered: SCHOLARSHIPS Commonwealth Accommodation Scholarships (CAS) Commonwealth Education Costs Scholarships (CECS) Group of Eight Scholarships UQ Excellence Scholarships UQ-Link Residential Support Scholarships Applications open in early October with a closing date of mid-November in the year preceding the award. Other scholarships include Sporting Scholarships, Scholarships for Indigenous Students and School and Faculty Scholarships. Credit for Previous Studies and Recognised Prior Learning Credit Transfer Where credit is transferred to a program, a number of units up to a specified limit, may be granted towards a UQ award, on the basis of either previous formal or informal learning. The type of credit transfer granted should depend on the program rules and structure of an individual program. The type/s of credit transfer granted for individual programs must be outlined in faculty guidelines and includes: Specified credit Unspecified credit Block credit January 2004, UQ ceased granting transfer credit for grades of 3 (or equivalent).

Responsibilities of Faculties Associate Dean (Academic) makes decision on granting of credit; Faculties - receive applications; - assess and calculate applications in a timely manner; -notify students of the outcome in a timely manner; -record outcome on student’s official academic transcript; -maintain and publish guidelines on assessment of credit; -regularly review faculty guidelines to ensure consistency, equity and standards.

The UQ Abroad program offers students the exciting experience of studying overseas for up to one year on exchange. GLOBAL REPUTATION Responsibilities of Faculties –Record precedents in Credit Transfer database; –Keep records of applications and decisions; –Advise UQ International of credit granted to International students; –Forward original application and supporting documentation to RAMS or scan to Webdrawer; –Audit decisions 3 yearly; –Record progress of students granted credit.

Library The largest research collection in Queensland with millions of books; tens of thousands of journals, eBooks and multimedia; networked databases; and primary material. Student support services UQ provides an integrated, professional support service. Record Keeping Credit for students on exchange Processing transfer credit for VET Study Transcript noting – ensure consistency and clarity across academic records No grades applied against transfer credit awarded (one exception) Reset cumulative stats - exceptions

Record Keeping SI-net Academic Advisement

How to record transfer credit on SI-net Navigation: Records and Enrolment>Transfer Credit Evaluation>Course Credits - Manual

How to record transfer credit Add a New Value – will present a new record where pre-existing transfer credit does not exist for the nominated student in the nominated career

How to record transfer credit Add a New Value – will advise you if the student has pre-existing transfer credit for the nominated career.

‘Transfer Course Entry’ page Use this Model Nbr if TC has same target and source information. Add a new Model Nbr if TC has different target and source information. Leave unselected For Australian institutions must enter DEST Institution. If School Type OVR – Overseas Institution leave DEST Institution field blank. If School Type VET - Vocational Education and Training, additional fields ‘Level of Education’ and ‘Field of Education’ are to be completed. Can post transfer credit to multiple articulation terms for the same target and source information

Specific Credit, 1 to multiple One incoming course equivalent to…Two specific courses SPECIFIC CREDIT All transfer credit is to have an Official Grade of ‘T’

Specific Credit, multiple to 1 Multiple incoming courses equivalent to… 1 specific course

Block Credit, 1 to 1 1 incoming block course equivalent to…1 block transfer credit course

Block Credit, 1 to multiple

‘Course Credits by Term’ page

Transfer Credit and Academic Advisement Academic Advisement is an automated graduation checking tool within SI-net Students are eligible to graduate on the basis of: »Enrolled courses »Transfer credit »Milestones eg. First Aid Certificates Academic Advisement needs to know how and where transfer credit is to be used to satisfy program requirements.

TRFCR courses need built-in logic To more fully automate graduation checking via Academic Advisement TRFCR courses need additional built-in logic Additional TRFCR courses now exist For Example: * TRFCR 1001 Elective Intro* TRFCR 2001 Elective Adv 2 * TRFCR 1002 Directed Intro* TRFCR 2002 Directed Adv 2 Academic Advisement knows these courses are level 1 courses and will not apply them to satisfy any advanced level program requirement. Academic Advisement knows these courses are level 2 courses and WILL apply them to satisfy any advanced level program requirement. Elective Courses will apply to any ‘elective’ requirements Directed Courses will need an additional business step to direct to a major etc. These courses will not apply to any general elective requirement.

Future issues – concurrent Diplomas Language Alliance – award of grades TAFE articulation arrangements Credit database Academic advisement rollout to students