Online Postgraduate Programs Offered by Australian Universities?

Many thanks for the list, Ted.

I am currently looking at three options - University of Canberra (Graduate Certificate in Marketing Communication [Online]: http://www.canberra.edu.au/?a=515941), University of Southern Queensland (Graduate Certificate in Public Relations: http://www.usq.edu.au/handbook/2010/arts/GCPR.html) and Charles Sturt University (Graduate Certificate in Marketing: http://www.csu.edu.au/courses/postgraduate/master_marketing/index.html). Which one shall I choose?

Also, I have finally found out the rules for international students after a helpful staff from UniSA explained them in great detail, and most other universities in Australia have the same policy - international students residing in Australia can normally only complete up to 25% of the program via external/online/DL mode while the rest has to be done internally on campus, but this rule doesn't apply to students residing overseas. (He did say that this rule confuses a lot of uni staff, that's why I got all sorts of responses)

Many thanks everyone.

 

Just for further information. I am checking on the PhD side of things. The Group of 8 are a bit more inflexible when it comes to distance education. Also costs is about $80k. But the lesser known Australia universities even have entire PhD through distance education and the cost is about $30k or so.

 

I have to agree with you on their pricing.

One of my ex-coworkers, who is of a foreign national but lives in Australia, recently decided to transfer from the University of Adelaide to Flinders University, she said she is so fed up with the way in which University of Adelaide keeps jacking up the fees for overseas students, it's similar to something like 10% increase p.a., absolutely ridiculous.

 

I completed my doctorate from CSU entirely distance in the US.

The distance can be difficult at times but is doable. Had a great advisor for the entire dissertation process and completed it.

It can be done and has positives and negatives as does any program!

 

I like the set up at James Cook University for their asronomy program.
It allows a student to earn academic credentials as he/she progresses:
Certificate
Diploma
Masters
Doctor of Astronomy
Ph.D.
http://www.jcu.edu.au/school/mathphys/astronomy/mmasters.shtml

 

Great this is the one I shortlisted but I am doing on/off campus in CSU on the PhD. Do you mind sharing some of the Dos and Don'ts? Deeply appreciated?

 

Just a few updates:

My email sent to USQ (University of Southern Queensland) International Admissions a few weeks back is yet to be replied, and this seems to be the only relevant email address I can find on their website.

The course coordinator at UC (University of Canberra) has been very helpful and informative in her responses. While I am still holding off on CSU (Charles Sturt University) as I have heard mixed comments from a number of CSU graduates about their online programs.

Given the fact that USQ couldn't even give out a prompt response, I think it is off my list. So, it's a race between UC and CSU, which one shall I choose?

 

I had the same sort of experience with USQ. I filled in a contact form at a display I attended to have information about courses sent to me. A few days later, I received a phone call to check what I needed which I thought was very good. Unfortunately, I never received the information.

 

As to USQ,

Most of the information is in the Online USQ Handbook,where every program and every course (or subjects) is described in detail.

For more information You should contact one of the course coordinators, usually tehy answer very fast.

 

Just a follow up:

This is not easy to find, but ...

http://www.usq.edu.au/arts/contact/programcoordinators

 

I'm surprised, they usually respond in a day or max two. I usually used the email "USQAssist" <[email protected]> for assistance and they were usually quite fast

 

I did it at USQ that is also an Australian school. Here the pros:

-High quality
-I was pushed to publish
-Well priced (Although the price went up considerably at USQ)
-Not really an online program as it was mostly research with few proctored exams.

Cons:
-Too long compared with the Online American schools. Their program is designed to be completed in a minimum of 5 years but with 6 years being more realistic (part time study).
-Professors are not as responsive. They might take long vacations (usually two months) or go on trips and this will delay your work.
-From submitting the dissertation to graduation, it might take another year. In my case took a bit longer.

If you want a solid education, Australian schools are a good option. If you are looking for a quick PhD, this might not be the fastest route.

Charles Sturt and USQ are not AACSB accredited. I know USQ is seriously considering accreditation but it might take a while before they get it.

You have QUT that is AACSB accredited but it costs a small fortune.

 

The 25% rule is solely due to the conditions of the visas issues to international students. A condition is 75% ATTENDANCE ON CAMPUS, hence the 25% max DE component

Be careful as often DE means blended delivery. I ama UNE graduate on my 3rd masters from them. The present version of their DE is excellentand is available across the board except for laboratory type units orportions thereof. I also have 2 family members doing DE degrees with UNE.

I have worked for some of the others, and seen the products of yet others ... UNE stands apart and alone as to quality. It originated as the country College of a very higly respected sandstone, Sydney University and is not a converted College of Advanced Education as several of the others listed by Ted are [not Ted's fault].

However UNE has a certain tradition and you won't find fuzzy or a proliferation multfaceted masters degrees. The content or the tradtiional degrees can however be designed to your personal needs.

You will never have to apologise anywhere for a UNE degree. Excellent global connections - Accounting for example with Rutgers, Texas A&M, Essex etc., and so on.

 

Welcome back Peter.

 

Wow, many thanks for the list, I was actually wondering why they don't put up the course coordinator's name and contact details on the program information page, I guess I will probably forward my earlier email sent to USQ International Admissions sometime next week.

Thanks heaps, mate!

 

Great suggestion, I sent my emails to [email protected] (since that's the email address listed for all international student queries and admissions tc) as listed on the course webpage, the last one was sent on Aug. 19 and never received any reply.

Thanks a million.

 

That's very informative analysis, cheers.

One of the key reasons for my prospective postgraduate studies at an Australian uni is simply due to the fact that I studied my two bachelors degrees in Australia so do have a fairly reasonable understanding on how Aussie unis operate and what will generally be expected etc. Also, my boss is actually an Australian expat and he LOVES to talk about their higher education sector (no wonder the international student market is the third largest export earner for Australia!).

As for international accreditation, not sure if this is true but I have been told by several Australian businessmen that they know some HR managers actually prefer postgraduate-level applicants from AMBA or EQUIS-accredited universities as compared to AACSB.

Regards.

 

Thanks for the insights.

I know UNE offers quality education, heard quite a few fairly positive comments from others studying/studied there.

The main problem for me is that they don't seem to be offering much in the fields I want to further my learning - marketing, PR, tourism/event management etc.

Nonetheless, I will consider UNE if I want to study something else in the future.

Regards.

 

I guess this sort of thing happens a lot at most unis, a good mate went to one of unis' open day several weeks ago and asked staff to post extra info about a course, he left both work and home addresses, yet the info promised is still nowhere to be seen in the letter box.

As long as I can get some helpful and informative responses, I won't be bothered to complain much.

Good luck

 

Sincere thanks for all your inputs.

I made the decision to apply for the graduate certificate program offered by the University of Canberra, already done my online application and dropped the photocopied documents into a postal box close to where I live.

Hopefully I will get an outcome response in the coming weeks.

Thanks again!