Terms such as certificate, diploma and degree mean different things to different people.
While it is possible to get degrees or diplomas by simply paying fees and undergoing quick assessments; that type of qualification will do very little to help your career; in fact it can actually harm your credibility.
Even government endorsed institutions (in some countries) are awarding certificates and diplomas for much less effort than what would have been expected in the past.
It takes very little common sense to realize that a 70 hour certificate can never teach you as much as a 600 hour certificate (for example).
Despite the degredation of qualifications in many places, qualifications from institutions that have maintained high standards are still valued by employers and the community at large.
ACS Distance Education has always maintained high standards and achieving an ACS qualification is not as easy as achieving qualifications in some places; but an ACS qualification is substantial.
In awarding even a standard certificate, this school is endorsing a student as having achieved the following:
- An improved capacity to think laterally and solve problems related to their discipline
- A foundation that positions them to evolve and adapt to change in that discipline
- A capacity to operate independently within their discipline, at a technical or semi professional level.
Most Levels of study offered fit into the following scheme:
| Type of Course |
Duration |
Purpose |
|
Mini Course
|
Under 100 hours
|
General Interest, Professional Development, Introduction to study
|
|
Short Course
|
100 hrs
|
Interest (Amateurs), Entry level for a career, or Professional Development (specialist courses)
|
Foundation Certificate
|
Over 100 hours, less than 500 hours
|
A foundation in the discipline. Develops a worthwhile understanding of a discipline, that would be attractive to employers, and make further learning or training faster and/or easier.
|
|
Certificate
|
600 or 700 hrs
|
Commonly entry level. Develops skills to work independently or semi independently in own business or employed at any level up to a largely unsupervised employee
|
|
Advanced Certificate
|
900 hrs
|
Develops a foundation for a career at a supervisory level or operating a small business, taking a limited degree of responsibility
|
|
Foundation Diploma
|
1000 hrs
|
Provides a foundation for further studies, and employment as a first step toward a professional career.
|
|
Associate Diploma
|
1500 hrs
|
A basis for working at a technical or managerial level or in self employment; within a narrow scope of operation in a discipline or industry
|
|
Diploma
|
2100 hrs
|
As with Associate diploma, but a broader scope; or a first step toward an academic career.
|
|
Advanced Diploma
|
2500 hrs
|
As with Diploma, but an even broader scope.
|
|
Bachelors Degree
|
3000 hrs
|
Foundation for a fully professional or academic career.
|
A full range of ACS qualifications can be seen on this web site.