Global Utilities

La Trobe University
Division of Nursing & Midwifery

Postgraduate Advanced Standing Guidelines

Credit may be granted in appropriate circumstances where there is substantial equivalence between the former studies or prior learning and the units for which the credit is given. The standard of overseas qualifications varies considerably and officers granting credit for these qualifications should consult appropriate documentation to gauge the equivalence of the studies.

It should be noted that the Division is not normally prepared to grant credit based on learning from life experience.

Credit is granted subject to the provisions of the course regulations. Such regulations may impose a limit to the amount of credit which may be granted, or specifically exclude sections of course programs for which credit may not be granted. In general:

  1. Normally, the maximum credit available for a Graduate Certificate completed either (at La Trobe University or elsewhere) is 60 credit points towards the relevant Masters qualification. Staff must ensure that the completed Graduate Certificate is comparable to that of a Division of Nursing & Midwifery Graduate Certificate prior to approving the credit.  Further, the completed qualification must align with the proposed Masters enrolment in order to be eligible for credit
    • Eg.: If a student enrols into the Master of Nursing (Breast Care) and has completed a Graduate Certificate in Rehabilitation, they may not receive 60 credit points as it is not directly related to the planned enrolment (but may receive a smaller amount of credit);

  2. Normally, the maximum credit available for a Postgraduate Diploma completed elsewhere (other than La Trobe University) is 60 credit points towards the relevant Masters qualification. Staff must ensure that the completed Postgraduate Diploma is comparable to that of a Division of Nursing & Midwifery Postgraduate Diploma prior to approving the credit. Further, the completed qualification must align with the proposed Masters enrolment in order to be eligible for credit
    • Eg.: If a student enrols into the Master of Nursing (Breast Care) and has completed a Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation, they may not receive 60 credit points as it is not directly related to the planned enrolment (but may receive a smaller amount of credit);

  3. Normally, the maximum credit available for a Postgraduate Diploma completed at La Trobe University is 120 credit points towards the relevant Masters qualification.

  4. The Division will not grant credit in the following cases:
    • Units that contain clinical that were completed more than 5 years prior to application for credit;
    • Units that are strictly theoretical that were completed more than 10 years prior to application for credit.

Procedure:

  1. Credit applications should be submitted on the appropriate University form and include supporting documentation including a statement of results and a Handbook entry or equivalent for each unit. Documentation should be certified by a University staff member. The application should be submitted to the relevant course administrator. In cases where a student is applying for credit for a previously completed La Trobe University award, they are not required to supply handbook entries or results (as these can be obtained by the relevant Course Administrator);

  2. The credit application should be considered by the appropriate Stream or Unit Coordinator. Credit should be considered and granted on an individual basis for all units in Divisional courses, taking into account, in particular, the equivalence of content, contact hours, difficulty level and the student's achievement level for the unit(s) concerned.

  3. Credit that is granted should be specified where possible. For example, Breast Care 1 at RMIT may be considered equivalent to NSG4BCF at La Trobe University. Therefore, the student’s academic record should reflect that credit has been given for NSG4BCF for studies completed at RMIT.

  4. Unspecified credit can be granted in the case of electives where no such unit exists at La Trobe University.

  5. Any postgraduate student in the Division of Nursing & Midwifery with a grievance in relation to credit should, in the first instance, discuss the matter with the appropriate Stream or Unit Coordinator. Further avenues are, in sequence, the Postgraduate Course Coordinator, the Head of Division, Registrar/Dean and University Ombudsman.