Australian Correspondance Schools--Legit?

I'm interested in Aquaculture and am looking for DL courses in this as I am in Korea. I ran across this school during a Google search and was wondering about it's legitimacy. They offer "advanced certificates" in Aquaculture and claim accreditation from the International Accreditation and Recognition Council (IARC). The ads look and sound sort of "slippery" but could be legit. Anyone have any dealings with them? Granted it's only a certificate, but still......................

http://www.acs.edu.au/default.asp

".................Established in 1979, ACS has educated thousands of full and part-time students, many of whom have gone onto successful employment, both in industry or in their own businesses. Others have used their courses to develop a hobby, or simply broaden their general education. We currently have over 3000 students enrolled from Australia and around the world. The school operates offices in Melbourne and on the Gold Coast, and is recognised by the International Accreditation and Recognition Council (IARC). Many of the courses have been formally accredited or endorsed by industry and/or accreditation authorities.

The school holds high the ideals of practical education, emphasising in all courses those things which are relevant to "real life". Courses offered cater for hobby interest through to formal training in industry and the professions.


MORE THAN A SCHOOL
The school and it's tutors have always been active in industry. We believe strongly that maintaining an awareness of current information and trends enables us to keep our course notes and services to students up to date and relevant. When you study with this school you are learning from people who are doing what you are studying on a daily basis........................"

 

Without risking getting sued:

1. IARC is not a recognised accreditation body and last time that I had reason to check, was a part of ACS. It acccredits very less than wonderful schools globally. An accreditation body is not necessary for Australian operators. The training is accredited and fits into the Australian Qualifications Framework [keeping it simple for readers] and the providers duly registered or otherwise to deliver these courses.

2. An Advanced Certificate is NOT a recognised level within the Australian Qualifications Framework.

3. ACS is however a duly Registered Training Organisation in Australia and their scope of registration can be read at www.ntis.gov.au and then log in their name.

Peter French MEd
Consultant to the Education & Training Industries
Melbourne, Australia

 

Peter is correct, ACS is an RTO in Australia, but all it has is a Certificate II in Horticulture (Parks and Gardens) on its scope of registration (which has been superceded by a newer Training Package).

It has as a relationship with Warnborough University. Warnborough has been warned not to trade in Australia as it is not authorised to offer degrees here.

So, suddenly ACS appears in the UK.

And IARC, a creation of ACS, accredits Warnborough.

And the status of IARC? Well, in Australian academia, it has zero value. It is not a recognised accrediting body. And, indeed, some of the 'institutions' it accredits.....

The choice is yours buddy. But Peter is correct - Advanced Certificates do not exist in Australia anymore - they went out years ago.

Cheers,

George