For information on applying for the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture (Agricultural Consulting), or if you wish to apply but do not have a degree, contact Deborah Maxwell.
Download instructions below on how to apply for the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture (Agricultural Consulting).
To find information on the following, click on the heading that you are interested in:
The Graduate Certificate in Agriculture (Agricultural Consulting) has been developed jointly by the Sheep CRC and the University of New England (UNE) to offer specialised professional development and training to professionals in any agricultural extension or consultancy field.
This distance education course suits busy professionals already working in or thinking of a career in agricultural consulting or extension.
As a Graduate Certificate course, you must already hold a Degree.
The Diploma in Agriculture is an alternative way to study the agricultural consulting units for people who do not currently hold a degree. For further details, please contact Deborah Maxwell, the unit coordinator.
If you wish to study only the agricultural consulting units, please contact Deborah Maxwell, the unit coordinator.
You can also study the core units as part of other courses such as a Bachelor or Rural Science or a Masters in Agriculture.
The course has two core (compulsory) units that provide the agricultural consultant with skills to run their own consulting business and skills to assist their clients’ businesses. The core subjects are:
CSLT 401/501 Business skills for agricultural consultants
This unit has three modules with the first about strategy, strategic thinking, problem solving and the management of strategic change in the agribusiness context. The second module equips the consultant or extension practitioner with an understanding of the media in Australia and skills to develop a media profile. Module three provides an overview of some of the legal issues that agricultural consultants are likely to face including legal liabilities, rights and responsibilities, employment performance and legal issues for clients.
See an overview of CSLT 401/501 contents.
CSLT 402/502 Client service skills for agricultural consultants
This unit provides two discrete modules for agricultural consultants to assist their clients’ businesses. The first module covers Whole of Enterprise Planning, allowing the consultants to view and assist the client's business in an integrated manner including farm resources, production and finances. The second module improves the skill of the consultant in dealing with their clients, covering the essential tools of communication, facilitation and negotiation.
See an overview of CSLT 402/502 contents.
Additionally, two electives must also be taken. A wide range of units in technical, agri-business or other agricultural areas are available at UNE, enabling you to upgrade your knowledge and skills in areas most relevant to you.
View some of the elective units.
The course can be completed in 1 year minimum (as the core units are only offered in separate semesters) or in a maximum of 2 years by part-time study.
This is a distance education course so that busy professionals can do the course from home.
Both elective units can be completed through UNE (see list of UNE approved elective units). With permission of the Course Coordinator, one of the electives may be done through another university. In special cases the Course Coordinator may also recognise advanced standing, that is previous experience or a previously completed subject may count for one elective (see further details on special consideration for electives).
Some professionals may also choose to do only one or both core units. This can be done by enrolling as a non-award student. An academic transcript is provided on completion, but no formal qualification is awarded. If you are interested to study only one or both core units, contact the Unit Coordinator for further details.
Assessment is carried out by a combination of assignments and a final supervised examination, which can be taken in many rural centres, including at local schools.
The two core units are offered as Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). With an up front payment the student pays $942.40/unit for the two core units and most electives are $804.00 (includes a 20% discount for up front payments). Alternatively, payment can be made via a HECS-HELP loan.
Scholarships ($2000) are also available for those currently or planning to work in the sheep industry. Find out more about the scholarships.
If you have never studied at UNE before AND you are applying for the Graduate Certificate (not the Diploma in Agriculture), then apply via UAC (http://www.uac.edu.au/postgraduate/) then choose the yellow 'APPLY' button. The course number for the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture is 892216.
For past UNE students and those applying for the Diploma in Agriculture, you should apply via UNE at the online admissions page. You will need to go to the bottom of the text on this webpage. To login to online admission, you should click the word “here” near the bottom of the page.
Alternatively, new and prospective students can call 1800 818 865. If you are already a current UNE student call 6773 4444.
The UNE web site has a number of pages providing more information:
* The Graduate Certificate in Agriculture course conditions including how to apply, entry requirements, course rules and advanced standing.
* Course Schedule: Graduate Certificate in Agriculture
* Unit information: CSLT 501 Business related skills for the agricultural consultant
* Unit information: CSLT 502 Client oriented skills for the agricultural consultant
* The Diploma in Agriculture course conditions including how to apply, entry requirements, course rules and advanced standing.
International Students
If you are a New Zealand citizen:
Please follow the same application instructions provided for Australians.
Commonwealth Supported Places are available, these attract the discounted fee of $1178.00 per core unit and $1006.00 for most elective units, however, there is no further 20% discount offered. New Zealand students are not eligible for the Sheep CRC Scholarships.
If you are from any country other than Australia or New Zealand:
Applications and fees differ for international students.
Contact the University of New England for further information.
International students are not eligible for Sheep CRC Scholarships.
For Semester 1, 2012:
Course applications closed: 30 January 2012
Online teaching: 20 February 2012 - 25 May 2012
Exam period: 28 May 2012 - 8 June 2012
For Semester 2, 2012:
Course applications close: 11 June 2012
Online teaching: 25 June 2012 - 28 September 2012
Exam period: 2 October 2012 - 12 October 2012
Unit Coordinator:
Deb Maxwell
Ph: 02 6779 4262 Mob: 0437 524 163
Email: deborah.maxwell@une.edu.au
Sheep CRC Industry Training Project Leader:
Lu Hogan
Mob: 0427 687 432
Email: luhogan@optusnet.com.au
Sheep CRC Education Program Manager
Steve Walkden-Brown
Ph: 02 6773 5152
Email: swalkden@une.edu.au
Professor James Rowe (CEO of the Sheep CRC) talks about the benefits of the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture (Agricultural Consulting) course.
David Sackett, former partner in Holmes Sackett Pty Ltd, talks about his experience in setting up the consultancy business and the benefits of having a Graduate Certificate course available.
Mike Stephens of Mike Stephens & Associates (MS&A) speaks about his diverse consultancy business. The approach MS&A uses includes awareness of "the business", "the paddock", "the people" and "the environment".
A suite of producer education and training programs is delivering substantial improvements in productivity and profits in the sheep industry, with the majority of attendees changing their farm practices as a result of attending workshops. The Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC) is investing over $500,000 per year in training and skills development programs focussed on helping producers...
Click Here To Read Full Article »
http://www.sheepcrc.org.au/information/news/sheep-crc-producer-training-delivers-productivity-gains-06-03-2012.php
For Ellie Noon, the opportunity to learn through a rural placement scholarship has not only confirmed her ambition to pursue a career in the sheep industry, but opened her mind to the potential gains genetic research offers. The Sheep Cooperative Research Centre (Sheep CRC) is encouraging students to enter a career in rural science and the sheep industry by supporting the activities of the University of New England’s (UNE)...
Click Here To Read Full Article »
http://www.sheepcrc.org.au/information/news/sheep-crc-supports-students-in-rural-science-06-12-2011.php
Combining university study with part time work and running a successful sheep stud is a demanding task, but the new skills acquired are paying dividends for western Victorian producer Debbie Milne. About to complete the Graduate Certificate in Agriculture (Agricultural Consultancy), jointly developed by Cooperative Research Centre for Sheep Industry Innovation (Sheep CRC) and the University of New England (UNE), Mrs Milne is...
Click Here To Read Full Article »
http://www.sheepcrc.org.au/information/news/new-opportunities-in-agricultural-consulting-29-11-2011.php
