Students will no longer need to leave the mid-north coast area to obtain a Bachelor degree due to the development of Pathway Programs between Charles Sturt University (CSU) and North Coast TAFE.

 

Five Pathway Programs will be available from 2012 with study areas in Creative Industries, Social Work, Health and Rehabilitation Science, Accounting, and General Studies delivered in Port Macquarie in conjunction with North Coast TAFE. Also on offer are credit packages in the areas of Media Communication and Fine Arts.

 

“This significant development expands higher education opportunities for people on the North Coast,” says CSU Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Ross Chambers. “The region has been selected on the basis of workforce needs, so these pathway programs aim to develop and retain professionals in the community.”

 

The pathways include both Integrated and Articulated programs.

 

Integrated programs enable students to study at TAFE and CSU at the same time, and are typically suited to school leavers, those interested in changing careers, or those who work in an industry but without any formal qualifications. CSU’s integrated programs include Social Work, Accounting, and Health and Rehabilitation Science.

 

Articulation programs give students the opportunity to study and complete qualifications at TAFE first and then go on to complete their university study at CSU. Articulation programs are suited to current and graduate TAFE students, as well as school leavers, those interested in changing careers, or those who work in the industry but without formal qualifications.

 

“The mid-north coast area has been under-serviced with regards to higher education up until now, and the establishment of these Pathway Programs significantly expands opportunities for the region and its residents,” said Professor Chambers. “Charles Sturt University has made a long-term commitment to the mid-north coast area and looks forward to expanding offerings into the future and developing research programs that are relevant to the region.”