Have you thought about working in agricultural consulting or advisory work?
Are you working in the rural sector as an Agricultural or Veterinary Consultant, Agronomist, Extension Officer, Catchment Management Officer, Rural Lending Officer or would like to be in the future?
This is an exciting new professional development opportunity for you. All agricultural disciplines are covered.
Applications for next semester close 15 January 2010.
- Study from home by distance education through University of New England. 4 units part time over 2 years.
- 2 core units to give the agricultural consultant skills to run their own business as well as skills to support their clients’ businesses.
- 2 elective units on any agriculture-related topic.
Apply by January 15 - Please act now!
- 3 x $2000 scholarships are open to applicants providing services to the sheep industry/or studying the sheep-related electives.
More general details are available below or go to our web page by CLICKING HERE, or you can contact the people listed below.
Deb Maxwell (Unit Coordinator)
Tel: 02 6779 4262
Mob: 0437 524 163
or
Sheep CRC Industry Training Project Leader:
Lu Hogan
Mob: 0427 687 432
Sheep CRC Education Program Manager
Steve Walkden-Brown
Ph: 02 6773 5152
General course information
Who is this course for?
The Graduate Certificate in Rural Science (Agricultural Consulting) has been developed jointly by the Sheep CRC and the University of New England (UNE) to offer specialised professional development and training to professionals in any agricultural extension or consultancy field.
This distance education course suits busy professionals already working in or thinking of a career in agricultural consulting or extension.
As a Graduate Certificate course, you must already hold a Degree.However, there are options for studying these subjects if you do not have a degree (please call the Unit Coordinator well in advance of the application deadline).
What does the course include?
The course has two core (compulsory) units that provide the agricultural consultant with skills to run their own consulting business and skills to assist their clients’ businesses. The core subjects are:
CSLT 501 Business skills for agricultural consultants (offered only in Semester 1, 2010)
This unit has three modules with the first about strategy, strategic thinking, problem solving and the management of strategic change in the agribusiness context. The second module equips the consultant or extension practitioner with an understanding of the media in Australia and skills to develop a media profile. Module three provides an overview of some of the legal issues that agricultural consultants are likely to face including legal liabilities, rights and responsibilities, employment performance and legal issues for clients.
CSLT 502 Client service skills for agricultural consultants (offered only in Semester 2, 2010)
This unit provides two discrete modules for agricultural consultants to assist their clients’ businesses. The first module covers Whole of Enterprise Planning, allowing the consultants to view and assist the client's business in an integrated manner including farm resources, production and finances. The second module improves the skill of the consultant in dealing with their clients, covering the essential tools of communication, facilitation and negotiation.
Additionally, two electives must also be taken. A wide range of units in technical, agri-business or other agricultural areas are available at UNE, enabling you to upgrade your knowledge and skills in areas most relevant to you. (Whether these are offered in only one or in both semesters depends on the unit).
What is involved?
The course can be completed in 6 months (1 semester) by studying all four units full-time or in a maximum of 2 years by part-time study.
For people in full-time work, we suggest one unit per semester, with a requirement of about 1 day’s work per week.
This is only offered as a distance education course so that busy professionals can do the course from home. Both elective units can be completed through UNE. With permission of the Course Coordinator, one of the electives may be done through another university. In special cases the Course Coordinator may also recognise advanced standing, that is previous experience or a previously completed subject may count for one elective.
Some professionals may also choose to do only one or both core units.This can be done by enrolling as a non-award student. An academic transcript is provided on completion, but no formal qualification is awarded. If you are interested to study only one or both core units, contact the Unit Coordinator for further details.
Assessment is carried out by a combination of assignments and a final supervised examination, which can be taken in many rural centres, including at local schools.
What are the costs and the application process?
The two core units are offered as Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). With an upfront payment the student pays approximately $885.20/unit. Alternatively, payment can be made via a HECS-HELP loan. UNE electives for this course are the same price.
Scholarships ($2000) are also available for those currently or planning to work in the sheep industry..
Your application can be done online at UNE - you will need to go to the bottom of the text on this webpage. To login to online admission, you should click the word “here” near the bottom of the page.
Alternatively, new and prospective students can call 1800 818 865. If you are already a current UNE student, call 02 6773 4444.
The Application to Enrolment process can take a few weeks, hence apply by January 15 to commence lectures on February 15 2010.
You must APPLY online for the course, then you will receive an OFFER LETTER in the mail, then you go online to ACCEPT the offer, then ENROL in the subject for the coming semester.
The UNE web site has a number of pages providing more information:
Important dates - for Semester 1, 2010:
Application - 15 January 2010
(After applying you will be sent an offer letter by normal mail. Using this you then accept the offer and then enrol in the subject for this semester. Allow a few weeks for the offer letter after applying).
Semester starts - 15 February 2010
(Note: CSLT501 is only available in Semester 1 and CSLT502 is only available in Semester 2).
Mid-semester break - 2 to 26 April 2010
Final Exam - 9 to 24 June 2010
Can we help you?
We encourage you to contact us to discuss your application:
Unit Coordinator:
Deb Maxwell
Ph: 02 6779 4262 Mob: 0437 524 163
Sheep CRC Industry Training Project Leader:
Lu Hogan
Mob: 0427 687 432
Sheep CRC Education Program Manager
Steve Walkden-Brown
Ph: 02 6773 5152
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CJ Hawkins Homestead, University of New England, Armidale NSW 2351