All kinds of anxious (mainly a vent but advice welcome)

Printable View

February 3rd, 2012, 03:11 PM
littlelara

All kinds of anxious (mainly a vent but advice welcome)

Ok, so I've been studying a bachelor of applied psych gradually for a couple of years, one subject per semester. This coming semester would be my 8th subject.
The thing is, because it's a private uni they can charge what they like, so I've been paying upwards of $1500 per subject
After doing some research I found that there are degrees at ACU that appear to be the same but at a fraction of the cost ($1500 per annum - could that be right??).
So I applied at acu and have a second round offer, but I can't see which course it's for and the note on the vtac site says psychology, even though it looks like the course I've already been doing translates over to a bachelor of counselling. What if I've made a mistake and applied for the wrong thing?
I'm so confused. And if I did get it right, it still means trying to figure out how to switch over, and whether i get RPL, and new schedules... If it weren't for the dramatic difference between fees I'd just stay put. At least I have my head around how my current uni works. And I was due to start back next tues, so that doesn't leave much time to figure all this out.
Aagh!! I'm not good with change
February 3rd, 2012, 03:17 PM
Chocaholic

Call the new uni's student services officer. They should be able to help.
February 3rd, 2012, 03:22 PM
meow

Yeah, you need to talk to a course counselor to check the course you want and RPLs. You'll get it all sorted out- don't stress :)
February 3rd, 2012, 03:49 PM
littlelara

I left a message, but no doubt they are inundated. Thanks for the reassurance.
February 4th, 2012, 03:53 AM
LovingLife

Is your current course an accredited course with APAC? You might find that it is not, which would explain why it would translate to a Bachelor of Counselling rather than psychology. If you have a look at the APS website it has a link to APAC which lists all the accredited courses which will actually end up with you being able to become a registered psychologist, instead of a counsellor (if that's what you want to do). The APS website also has information about study pathways, etc. and which courses are approved by APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council) and PsycBA (Psychology Board of Australia).

Definitely have a chat to a course advisor at ACU, maybe see if you can call directly? I know my uni has a student support helpline that puts you in touch with the program advisors relevant to your course.

Good luck with what you decide.
February 4th, 2012, 04:40 AM
littlelara

I got into the wrong course. I don't even remember applying for psych science, but obviously I did, and it won't take me where I want to go.
I just sent an email. Hopefully that will het me a quicker response.
My current course is accredited. Funnily enough the ACU one isn't, but you can still get accreditation because it meets the standards (I did check, but not sure how it works)
My head hurts.
February 4th, 2012, 06:34 AM
myturn

:

Is your current course an accredited course with APAC? You might find that it is not, which would explain why it would translate to a Bachelor of Counselling rather than psychology. If you have a look at the APS website it has a link to APAC which lists all the accredited courses which will actually end up with you being able to become a registered psychologist, instead of a counsellor (if that's what you want to do). The APS website also has information about study pathways, etc. and which courses are approved by APAC (Australian Psychology Accreditation Council) and PsycBA (Psychology Board of Australia).

Definitely have a chat to a course advisor at ACU, maybe see if you can call directly? I know my uni has a student support helpline that puts you in touch with the program advisors relevant to your course.

Good luck with what you decide.

This was exactly what I was going to say ;)

:

I got into the wrong course. I don't even remember applying for psych science, but obviously I did, and it won't take me where I want to go.
I just sent an email. Hopefully that will het me a quicker response.
My current course is accredited. Funnily enough the ACU one isn't, but you can still get accreditation because it meets the standards (I did check, but not sure how it works)
My head hurts.

this is a total bugger!!!! But if you've got into one - hopefully you will be able to get into another!! Good luck!!! FX!
February 6th, 2012, 07:54 AM
littlelara

So, breathing slightly better this morning after making a couple of phone calls (why do they only let you know you got in last thing on a Friday? I've had all weekend to tie myself in knots).
I spoke to my current uni; the census date isn't until 12th March, so I have until then to withdraw without paying. I'm due to start back tomorrow, so I guess I'll just go in as per usual in the mean time so I haven't lost anything.
According to fee help there is no set amount of time in which I need to have completed my degree (I was under the impression I only had 6 years) so that's awesome. The limit is set on how much debt you can accrue rather than how long you have, and the amount is $87, 400.00. How good is that?
I still haven't been able to get hold of ACU re switching courses, but at least I have a bit of time to get it sorted.
And . . . Breathe.
Phew!