Topic outline
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It is the policy of the University to recognise prior learning by granting credit towards the requirements of University award programs.
The University of South Australia Medical Sonography Courses do not have any formal legal articulation agreement with any providers.
Credit is only provided for subjects in which there is a high proportion of ‘like for like’ content between the different institutions' subjects, and where there is alignment between the level of learning and assessment.
Credit applications are directed via a software program to the Program Director who is able to further direct it out to the relevant course coordinator for assessment of credit. This is then returned to the program director a final decision.
As per university policy a maximum of 3 courses credit can be given within the Master and Graduate Diploma of Medical Sonography programs.
The recognition of prior learning (RPL) policy is attached below and this policy is implemented in the following ways:
External, University Credit
Course objectives/learning outcomes, content, AQF level, and types of assessment are reviewed from the student's past studies, to ensure there is appropriate coverage between the UniSA subject content and the studies the student has completed previously. This may involve reading through the course outline or statement of assessment from the previous course, course contents such as lecture slides and assessments provided by the student; or through interviewing the student to discuss what content they have covered previously. Commonly studied programs of study or workshops completed at an RTO, which many students have completed in the past and has been previously assessed as eligible for credit/meeting the UniSA course’s requirements, are considered ‘precedent’ credit. A list of precedent credits and a record of their last Program Director assessment is kept by the Professional staff support team; ensuring that the Program Director reviews the content every 2 to 3 years as appropriate.
Internal University Credit
If students have completed the same subject under a different program code, i.e. when transferring between the Graduate Diploma and Masters program, courses previously successfully completed are credited across as they are like-for-like. No assessment is required of these courses unless the student has completed their past study more than 10 years ago. In such instances the Program Director reviews the student’s record, compare the past iteration of the course with contemporary practice and changes, and if necessary meet with the student to discuss.Work Experience/Life Experience Credit
Credit granted for Work Experience or Life Experience requires students to provide a Curriculum Vitae and supporting documentation such as letters of evidence and support from managers to confirm the student’s day-to-day responsibilities and length of tenure. This type of credit also usually requires the student to meet with the program director to discuss their work or life experience in greater detail, for the program director to make an assessment on credit, however such cases are rarely granted RPL.Assessment of competence
Competence is determined by discussion between the clinical supervisor and the Program Director and in some cases the student is required to provide evidence of scanning competency through submission of case studies or by scanning in front of University staff. Logbook numbers are not enough to determine clinical competency. Again, these cases are rarely granted RPL without the practical component being demonstrated as per the statement above.
Please see the below attachment for examples of successful and unsuccessful RPL applications.
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