Graduate Certificate in Information Technology (Online)

This program is only available to students who have already commenced their studies. Prospective students should refer to the new Master of Information Technology program at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/program/12233.html

Postgraduate coursework in Information Technology is undertaken in an integrated program comprising Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma, Master of Information Technology, Master of Advanced Information Technology and Master of Information Technology (Honours) programs.

The Information Technology Postgraduate programs are designed to provide graduates with the opportunity to develop and expand their skills and knowledge in the most technically advanced IT areas. The program provides graduates with training and experience (according to personal development needs) by developing expertise in the fast moving areas of: e-Business, Information Systems, Computer Science, Software Engineering, Multimedia, Computer Engineering and Telecommunications. Graduates of this program will also be able to identify and analyse simple problems and perform in a professional and ethical manner.

The Graduate Certificate is designed with flexibility to allow students to tailor their studies to their interests. It is the stepping stone to gain access to skills and knowledge in the most

technically advanced IT areas, including:

• Design
• e-Business
• Information Systems
• Software Engineering; and
• Statistics

Graduates of this program will be highly capable of working as software engineers, network engineers, web designers, systems analysts, programmers, database analysts, project managers or system managers depending on their choice of specialisation or interests.

Applications for admission are initially assessed on the basis of an undergraduate degree but, for those who fall outside this criterion, applications will be assessed on the basis of "admissions points" as described in the Additional Selection Criteria. The Master of Information Technology requires 100 admission points. Those who's applications score 60 points will be offered a place in the Graduate Certificate in Information Technology and those who score 80 points will be offered a place in the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology.

All applicants must satisfy the University's English Language requires as set out in the University's English Proficiency Policy: http://www.newcastle.edu.au/policy/000104.html

International Computer Driver's License or ACS Computer Driver's License or equivalent.

• Alternative entry will be assessed on the basis of the admission points scheme as described below.

  • An incomplete undergraduate degree or equivalent from an approved institution (with a Grade Point Average of 4.0 or greater): Up to 50 points depending on number of units successfully completed.
  • An AQF approved diploma or Associate Diploma or equivalent from an approved institution: Up to 50 points (50 points for a relevant area; 30 points for a non-relevant area).
  • Approved professional qualifications: Up to 50 points.
  • Relevant work experience:20 points per year (maximum 60 points).
  • Related area of research or management project completed with appropriate documentation: Up to 50 points.
  • Statement of professional aims and achievements and/or interview: Up to 20 points.
  • An overseas qualification from an approved institution equivalent to an undergraduate degree, Diploma, Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma will be allocated the appropriate admission points as specified above.

Credit may be granted for coursework courses if they can be demonstrated to be directly equivalent in terms of content and depth of study to the corresponding courses in the Information Technology program, and they were completed within the previous 5 years. Credit will be granted by the Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and IT in accordance with the Rules Governing Postgraduate Coursework Programs. Students who graduate with the Graduate Diploma in Information Technology and subsequently enrol in the Master of Information Technology may be eligible to apply for 80 units of credit

Students who satisfactorily complete the specified 120 units of the Master of Information Technology program may apply for admission to the Master of Information Technology(Honours) program and complete the additional 40 units of research required to qualify for the Master of Information Technology (Honours).

The professional body for Information Technology (IT) professionals within Australia is the Australian Computer Society (ACS). The Graduate Certificate in Information Technology program satisfies the requirements for ACS membership at the Associate level.

International students must comply with the University of Newcastle's English language proficiency requirements. All students can also access additional learning support mechanisms provided by the Centre for Teaching and Learning at http://www.newcastle.edu.au/unit/ctl/index.html

The support structures of the Student Support Unit will be available to assist any students with a disability or chronic illness. The Faculty and School accepts responsibility, in liaison with the Student Support Unit, for providing reasonable accommodations to allow students with disabilities to complete the program.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students can draw on the assistance and support provided by the Indigenous Student Support and Development service through the Wollotuka Institute.

Articulation within the programs is provided from Graduate Certificate to Graduate Diploma, Graduate Diploma to Masters of Information Technology.