Deakin’s new associate degree on North West Victoria’s doorstep

Deakin University and SuniTAFE today (Wednesday 7 October) signed an agreement to bring the Deakin at Your Doorstep program to North West Victoria in 2010, enabling the region's residents to study a new Associate Degree of Arts, Business and Sciences at SuniTAFE's Swan Hill Campus.

The associate degree is a pathway through to a range of bachelor degrees including commerce, management, education and health sciences. The two education providers believe the program will benefit the region through improving career opportunities for local residents in roles such as accountants, primary school teachers and health care professionals.

Deakin's Pro Vice-Chancellor (Rural and Regional) Professor Sue Kilpatrick said the program provides increased educational opportunities for people in North West Victoria.

"The associate degree is an exciting new opportunity to provide people with the skills they need to succeed at university. It gives people the option to learn where they live and is the ideal pathway to a bachelor degree," Professor Kilpatrick said.

The Associate Degree of Arts, Business and Sciences is a two-year full-time (or equivalent part-time) qualification that can be undertaken concurrently with a diploma from SuniTAFE. Students may gain up to 18 months credit in their chosen bachelor degree which can be completed at Deakin University's Warrnambool Campus or via off-campus study.

"We're excited about the possibilities the associate degree opens up for students in North West Victoria and also for the benefits it brings to the region, particularly as the concurrent diplomas and bachelor degree pathways have been chosen to address local skill shortages," Professor Kilpatrick said.

To find out more about the Associate Degree of Arts, Business and Sciences available through SuniTAFE visitwww.deakin.edu.au/doorstep or call 03 5563 3119.