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What
is distance education - is it the same as correspondence?
While the term distance education represents home study like
correspondence also can, it is the preferred terminology for educational
institutions who offer Nationally Recognised Training for tertiary level
education to university standards. It represents well structured,
professionally administered tuition. Most universities throughout Australia
have thousands of students completing degrees by distance education every
year.
How do I choose a
College - there are just too many?
It can be very difficult to choose the right College for you but here
are a few suggestions of what to consider.
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Contact as
many colleges as you can. If you are finding it difficult to decide in
could be that you do not have enough information before you. Look further
until one college stands out above the rest.
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Ensure the
college and its Awards are Nationally Recognised. This is not to say that
non Nationally Recognised Training colleges are not worthy or your
support, however, it does mean that they have not opened themselves up to
government and independent scrutiny.
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Confirm
that graduates can join professional associations as full practicing
members.
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Confirm
that they can offer you articulation through to university should you ever
wish to obtain a degree in the future. You may also wish to confirm that
is a mainstream degree like a BHSc which will provide more opportunities
for you to undertake a Masters or PHD in the future.
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Peruse
their choice of subjects. Do they offer adequate hours in university
standard Basic Sciences. Do they offer a choice of elective practitioner
subjects - e.g. herbs, nutrition, homoeopathy etc.
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Ask them
for some students names near you if possible, so you can obtain unbiased
feedback.
Do I have to pay a
large amount up front?
No. And you should be suspicious of any college who encourages you do
so. Paying large sums of money can cause some students financial hardship
placing great strain on their study ability. At COSS you pay only one, once
only $50 enrolment fee up front and each subject is paid for a term at a
time as you advance through your chosen award.
Can I start at any
time - do I have to wait for set terms?
Yes, this is one of the many strengths of distance education, there
are no set terms. Unlike a set classroom agenda you are not held up by
slower students nor do you ever feel uncomfortable by sometimes falling
behind the others. You start when you want and study at your own pace.*
*Some
subjects do have time limits, but they are quite generous.
Will my award be recognised by the professional associations?
Yes. As a Naturopathic College COSS Awards are accepted by major
national associations. One example is The Complementary Medicine Association
Inc., call them on their toll free number to verify this and any other
information relating to the profession.. 1 800 117 766.
Will my
patients be able to get health fund rebates when I practise with these
awards?
Yes, it is the
professional associations that currently represent practitioners to health
funds in the absence of professional registration. As full association
members you will be listed for patient health fund benefits.
Can I stop or postpone
my studies at anytime?
Yes, you can stop and leave the college for whatever reason or you
can apply for a deferment for a set period of time. The college will
maintain your accumulated study units until your return.
How soon can
I start to practise - do I have to wait until I'm finished every subject?
Some individual subjects like massage can allow you to practise as a masseur
upon completion without having to complete your entire Naturopathic Award.
In addition, the Complementary Medicine Association [CMA] has a 'Provisional
Membership' category which affords a restricted practice status to students
who are over half way through their chosen Award. Contact the CMA for
details. TOLL FREE 1 800 117 766
Do I need to travel or visit the College campus?
No, COSS conducts workshops for the subjects that require them, on weekends
throughout the year in every capital city of Australia*. Students should
plan the order of the subjects they study to coincide if possible with these
workshops.
* Workshop
are only held in each state every two years and their locations can depend
on student numbers at the time. With students starting subjects at various
times of the year they are never ready for a workshop at the same time.
Therefore, workshops are timed to advantage the majority of students in each
subject.
What if I live overseas?
There is a 15% surcharge on all subjects for the additional freight and
handling expenses. Overseas students can also apply for Government Study
Visa's to visit Australia to study.
Can I get AUSTUDY and HECS?
Yes, the government provides AUSTUDY benefits for all COSS subjects and HECS
funding for all our articulated university subjects.
What about the subjects that require workshops - will
I have to travel far?
No, COSS offers workshops in each capital city of Australia bi-annually.
Tasmanian students may need to travel to Melbourne.
What is the examination procedure - can I complete
them at home?
Yes. However, under our Nationally Recognised Training criteria there are strict
supervisory procedures. You have a list of suitable professionals to choose
from in selecting your own supervisor, JP, Police Officer, School Principal
etc and the examination papers are sent direct to them under COSS seal when
you request them. You then have 14 days to meet with your chosen supervisor
and complete the exam which generally takes 2 hours. Most exam are a
combination of multiply choice and short answer questions.
How do I have my questions answered?
We have access to subject co-ordinators and academics at all times at the
head campus. Students are asked to write, fax or e-mail their questions.
They are replied to normally the same day. E-mail communication is by far
the quickest and most effective because we can send students attachments if
required, that may assist them.
How do I obtain a BHSc Degree?
Once you have a COSS Advanced Naturopathic Diploma, you gain automatic
articulated entry into the Charles Sturt University BHSc. To complete the
degree you will only have to do 4 one semester subjects over 1 year, part
time and yes this can also be completed by distance education.
Can I get recognition for prior learning ?
Yes! Providing your previous studies are from a recognised College ie
University, TAFE College etc containing similar subjects. If your previous
study is not Nationally Recognised Training, we may be able to offer you
entry into of Professional Award.
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