Recognition of Prior Learning Procedures for Australian campuses

Parent Policy

Credit Policy (including Recognition of Prior Learning)

Definition of terms

Recognition of prior learning: recognition of verifiable skills, knowledge and competencies acquired other than from an Australian university or TAFE college, Registered Training Organisation or equivalent, to avoid duplication of learning where the previous learning is recognised as equivalent to Monash University study for credit towards the course, and/or the previous learning is recognised as equivalent to standard prerequisite qualifications for a course (that is, recognised for non-standard entry).

Applications

1. There is a single university-wide credit application form.

2. Applicants should apply for RPL by four weeks prior to the commencement of teaching in the course. Later applications may be accepted, but credit cannot be given for units in which the applicant has remained enrolled past the date for withdrawal with refund of fees.

3. Applications for RPL will normally be assessed within 20 working days.

Responsibility

Director, Student Administration and Systems
Faculty Managers

Assessment

4. Assessment of prior learning is an academic responsibility. Standard assessments based on established precedents may be delegated in writing to faculty or school admissions staff, or International Admissions staff. Non-standard assessments or assessments without an established precedent will be referred to nominated faculty academic staff.

5. Applications for credit on the basis of RPL are assessed on the basis of evidence that the applicant has gained work experience or other experience, and/or completed non-accredited training such as professional development, with the result that they have achieved the learning outcomes of the unit or units for which credit is sought.

5.1 Where RPL is sought for work experience, the evidence required for assessment will comprise a CV, letters of reference and details of referees, together with certified copies of certificates for any professional development courses relevant to the application.

5.2  Faculties may also require applicants to undergo an interview and/or challenge tests or assessments, and/or to submit a folio of creative work, to confirm that they have achieved the requisite learning outcomes.

6. Where assessment of an applicant’s prior learning establishes that it is equivalent to a unit which can contribute to completion of the course, they will be given credit for the unit rather than an exemption, subject to the limits on total RPL credit stated in these procedures.

7. There is no charge for assessment for recognition of prior learning for credit to Monash University course offerings at Australian campuses.

Responsibility

Faculty Education Committees

Notification

8. The faculty will notify current students of the outcome of their credit application by email where practicable. Prior to enrolment, applicants will be notified of the credit available to them in the offer letter, or by a separate notification. Notification of credit application outcomes will refer applicants to a central website for full information on credit and the application process.

9. Where credit is granted to international students after the enrolment, the faculty will email the student normally before the end of their second week of study in the course informing them of their final credit status. Such emails will be copied to International Admissions. The student must reply confirming acceptance of the credit.

Responsibility

Faculty Managers

Appeals

10. Appeals against credit assessments and admission decisions may be made in accordance with the Academic and Administrative Complaints and Grievances Policy and the Complaints and Grievances of Coursework Students Procedures.

Responsibility

Faculty Managers

RPL for admission

11. Faculty guidelines for the assessment of applications for admission to programs on the basis of prior learning shall be endorsed by the relevant Faculty Board and by the Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee.

12. RPL will not normally be accepted for admission to undergraduate programs.  A case for exceptions may be made to CASC. In such cases where there is urgency, executive authority may be exercised by the Chair of CASC.

13. Faculty Boards shall ratify all decisions relating to the admission of students to university programs that are exceptions to the standard admissions criteria.

Responsibility

Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee
Faculty Boards

Quality assurance

14. The granting of credit to courses on the basis of RPL is to be:

• recorded on a central database;
• reported to the faculty education committee;
• included in the faculty’s biannual report to the university Education Committee on credit granted.

These reports should include numbers of decisions, amounts of credit awarded, the bases for granting of RPL, exceptions to these procedures, and any appeals.

15. The granting of entry to courses on the basis of RPL is to be:

• recorded on a central database;
• reported to the faculty education committee;
• reported annually to the university Coursework Admissions and Scholarships Committee.

Responsibility

Education Committee
Coursework Admission and Scholarships Committee
Faculty Education Committees

Contact Person: Education Policy