Reflections

Study options at Avondale have expanded in 2007 and are set to expand further in second semester with accreditation being secured for two additional courses.

From the start of second semester this year students will be able to study psychology after the college signed a five-year memorandum of understanding with the University of New England (UNE).

The college is offering psychology as a major or specialisation as part of an undergraduate arts or science degree. The course will be available in arts from semester two this year and in science from semester one 2008. Students will complete the psychology course online through UNE, with on-campus intensives at UNE each semester. They will complete core subjects and minors at Avondale and will graduate with an Avondale degree.

The academic relationship with UNE, a first for Avondale, is ideal, says vice-president (administration and research) Dr Vivienne Watts. "UNE offers so many subjects by distance education, and we've wanted to offer this course for a long time."

Avondale's aviation program has also been bolstered with the School of Aviation now offering a new Certificate IV in Aviation. The course, which gained accreditation in February, takes the place of the school's Certificate III and Certificate IV in Aviation.

"We offered these courses because the industry didn't," says chief pilot Garry Fraser. "When the industry finally developed its own training standards, we said, 'Look at ours to see if it complies'." The accreditation panel was impressed with the schools training, giving approval for Avondale to offer the course in 2007.

A record number of 20 students are studying at the school this year.