1999 Arts Handbook - Distance education

Distance education

In addition to its range of on-campus courses, the School of Humanities and Social Sciences also conducts an extensive distance education program via the Monash Distance Education Centre. The university's commitment to distance education means that the same opportunities can be offered to students who cannot attend on-campus lecture programs because of work, family commitments or location.
The aim of the distance education program is to provide students with the necessary resources to complete a major part of their coursework off-campus. This involves the provision of (a) course material especially designed for independent study; (b) opportunities for effective lecturer-student and student-student interaction; (c) access to any necessary facilities, eg library, computers, audiovisual material and so forth.
Monash distance education centre's admissions policy is sufficiently flexible to accommodate applicants with a variety of academic and work experience backgrounds. In general, courses are open to applicants who have passed the Victorian Certificate of Education including English, or who hold comparable academic qualifications.
A number of on-campus weekend and vacation schools are organised for distance education students to supplement and enrich the basic coursework they do off-campus. The Information guide provides students with details of their weekend school timetable. The Information guide also keeps distance education students up-to-date with university matters.
Attendance at these schools is highly recommended and distance education students are encouraged to make as much use of them as their circumstances allow. They add a valuable dimension to the study experience by providing opportunities for interaction with lecturers and fellow students, and provide access to study facilities such as the library and the computer rooms.
It is important to note that for some courses there are mandatory attendance requirements, and for some subjects, eg psychology and social welfare, a certain amount of required practical work. Where this is so, the requirement is specified in the course description. If in doubt, contact the School of Humanities and Social Sciences for specific information.
Cafeteria facilities and child care services are available, and social functions are provided by the student union. There may be limited on-campus accommodation available to distance education students during weekend and vacation schools.
If you decide to apply for enrolment, the sooner you act the better. Quotas operate on courses and some individual subjects. Instructions included with application forms tell you quite clearly the steps to follow to complete an application.
New applicants for distance education should lodge applications, complete with evidence of entry qualifications, to the administrative officer (admissions), School of Humanities and Social Sciences by 18 September 1998. It will only be possible to consider late applications if quota places remain.
The Monash Distance Education booklet gives details of courses and subjects available by distance education. To obtain a free copy write to the Course Inquiries Centre, Monash University Gippsland campus, Switchback Road, Churchill 3842, or telephone 1800 671845.