Undergraduate Education FAQs

These are Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist you with your studies in your undergraduate Education course. Please note that not all sections will apply directly to you. This is a working document and will be regularly updated.

Questions Summary:Study Questions..........................................................................................2

What do I see ASK La Trobe about?................................................................................2What do I see my Subject Coordinator about?................................................................2How do I find extra support for my studies and how I am feeling about my studies?......3

Enrolment....................................................................................................4What subjects should I be enrolled in?...........................................................................4I’m enrolled Full Time but want to go Part Time. How do I do this?................................4I’m having problems enrolling in subjects. Who can help me?........................................4I am pregnant. What do I do about my studies?.............................................................4I wish to take a Leave of Absence. How do I do this?......................................................5I want to defer. How do I do this?..................................................................................5

Assessment-Related Questions...................................................................6How do I find out about my assessment?.......................................................................6I’m new to La Trobe. How do I access the library?..........................................................6How do I reference?.......................................................................................................6I need to apply for an extension. How do I do this?........................................................6What if my assignment is submitted late?......................................................................6Can I apply for Special Consideration?............................................................................7Do I have to do the Literacy and Numeracy Test?...........................................................7

Digital Learning...........................................................................................8How do I access LMS?....................................................................................................8I’m having online access problems. Where do I get help?...............................................8Where do I access the timetable for the Intensives when I do my Method subject(s)?....8Do I have to go to everyday of the intensive for Methods if I am a part time student?. . .8

Professional Experience..............................................................................9Can I arrange my own professional experience placement?............................................9I don’t have a placement yet and I’m worried I’ve missed out. What can I do?...............9How do I find out more about professional experience?.................................................9I am pregnant. Can I still undertake professional experience?........................................9I have a delayed professional experience. Does this mean I automatically have an extension on assignments?..........................................................................................10

Course Transfer.........................................................................................11I want to transfer into a different course. What do I need to know?.............................11What happens if my ‘Application for Course Transfer’ is rejected?...............................12

Teacher Registration.................................................................................13

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I’m in the final year of my studies. How does La Trobe tell VIT about my grades? When will La Trobe release my transcript to VIT?...................................................................13

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Study Questions

What do I see ASK La Trobe about?ASK La Trobe should always be accessed for any student queries in relation to:

• Enrolment• Leave of absence• Special consideration processes• Course planning• Going part time• Being pregnant and taking leave• Going full time• Any changes to subject enrolment• Any course advice• How to access ICT help desk, student counseling, sport centre,

etc.• Future student queries• Advanced Standing• Any question that is not content specific to a subject

You can access them in multiple areas (phone, online and face to face). Here is a guide to how you can access them: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/ask-us

What do I see my Subject Coordinator about?Subject Coordinators support you with the specific subject you are undertaking. You can find out the name of the Subject Coordinator on the LMS Hub for the subject. Subject Coordinators respond to students in their course about:

Extensions

Special consideration

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Assessment queries (as long as you have checked the Subject Learning Guide and LMS)

Results

Course content (check the online modules and the discussion board on LMS first)

Always check the Subject Learning Guide and LMS discussion board first about your question as it will most likely have been already asked and answered. Have a look at the threads already created and you may find your answer.

If your question is not personal, then ask your question on the LMS discussion as this will not only assist you but also your peers. If the question is of a personal nature, please do email the Subject Coordinator directly to discuss.

How do I find extra support for my studies and how I am feeling about my studies?There are multiple support services available to you to assist you with how you are feeling about your studies or your personal life. Check the link here for contact details: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/support

Specific live links can be found here as well:

Support forNew students | International students | Students with disabilities | Indigenous students | Mature age students | Refugees | Research students |Postgraduate students | GLBTIQ students

Living wellAlcohol and other drugs | Identity, diversity and inclusion | Leadership and volunteering opportunities  | Physical health |Mental health | Respectful relationships | Safety | Stress and relaxation | 

Support servicesAccommodation |Advocacy| Careers and employment |Chaplaincy| Child care | Complaints | Counselling | Emergency housing | Financial assistance|Harassment and discrimination |IT support | Legal services | Muslim students |Postgraduate services

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Study supportLibrary help and training | Peer Learning Advisers |Special consideration | Study skills

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Enrolment

What subjects should I be enrolled in?The handbook for all undergraduate courses can be accessed here: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/handbookThis outlines the subjects you should enroll in if you are full time or part time. The structure of the courses is also outlined.Please contact ASK La Trobe if you need assistance with enrolling.

I’m enrolled Full Time but want to go Part Time. How do I do this?Please contact ASK La Trobe if you need to take any action in moving from full time to part time studies. They can help you with the subject you need to undertake.

I’m having problems enrolling in subjects. Who can help me?ASK La Trobe can assist you with making sure you are enrolled in all the correct subjects for your studies. You can access them in multiple areas (phone, online and face to face). Here is a guide to how you can access them: http://latrobe-current.custhelp.com/app/home

I am pregnant. What do I do about my studies?If you become pregnant during your studies you will need to consider the impact on your health and wellbeing. You can make an appointment with the Course Coordinator to talk through mapping your subjects for completion based on taking maternity leave. You can also speak with ASK La Trobe to complete paperwork for Leave of Absence. If you are undertaking professional placement it is best that you seek medical advice from your doctor and acquire a medical certificate that it is safe for you to continue.

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I wish to take a Leave of Absence. How do I do this?You can apply for a Leave of Absence (up to 12 months depending on the circumstances) if you're experiencing significant difficulties in your personal or academic life – financial, emotional, medical, employment or study related.

Before taking a Leave of AbsenceDiscuss your plans with:

Your course adviser (contact us (ASK La Trobe) to arrange a discussion)

Counseling  or careers services staff La Trobe International staff  if you are an international student

holding a student visa.Note that taking a Leave of Absence may impact your study plan so it’s very important that you discuss this with your course staff before applying e.g. you should find out whether taking leave will cause you to miss any prerequisite or core subjects which will delay your completion of the course.You should also familiarise yourself with the policies and procedures about taking a Leave of Absence:

Leave of Absence Policy [PDF 33kb] Leave of absence Procedure [PDF 57kb]

Apply for a Leave of AbsenceComplete an Application for Leave of Absence [PDF 65kb] form, contact us (ASK La Trobe) to submit and make sure you bring your student ID card.

I want to defer. How do I do this?Deferment will normally be granted in undergraduate courses. The Admission Procedures – Deferment are available from the policy web site www.latrobe.edu.au/policy. Most applications for deferment in undergraduate courses are approved, and the process that must be followed as outlined web on the How to defer webpage.All enquiries concerning the deferment of a course should be directed to ASK La Trobe.

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Assessment-Related Questions

How do I find out about my assessment?All subjects have a Subject Learning Guide (SLG). This is on each subject’s LMS shell and will outline all requirements and how it will be assessed. If you have any specific questions not provided in this document, please contact the relevant Subject Coordinator.

I’m new to La Trobe. How do I access the library?All you need to know about borrowing and searching online can be found here: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/library/help-and-training/library-essentials-for-new-students

How do I reference?In Education we use APA6 referencing format. The library has a great guide to assist you with this and all your questions in regards to referencing a book, book chapter, journal, web site, tweet, etc. Here is the link: http://www.lib.latrobe.edu.au/arm/

I need to apply for an extension. How do I do this?An extension can be applied for up to 3 working days (not Saturday, Sunday or a public holiday) before an assignment is due. This is to be arranged with the Subject Coordinator by completing the electronic Extension Form located in LMS on the Course page and the Subject pages. It is advisable that you apply sooner rather than later.

What if my assignment is submitted late?In the School of Education, we have the policy that work will be accepted 5 working days after the due date, however 5% of the grade will be

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subtracted per day. If it is more than 5 working days late the assignment cannot be accepted and will not be marked.

Can I apply for Special Consideration?Before applying for special consideration, you should first check your eligibility. If eligible, you will be directed to the application form.

Your application must: Include supporting documentation (e.g. Medical Impact Statement,

police report or statutory declaration) Be submitted within three (3) working days after the date of your

exam/due date of your assessment (applications later than three days after the assessment will not be accepted unless you can provide evidence of exceptional circumstances, which prevented you from applying on time).

Demonstrate that you have suffered:1.Serious illness  2.Emotional disturbance  or3.Misadventure

Be for an assessment task worth 15% or more of the total assessment for the subject.

Here is the link to assist you with the process: http://latrobe-current.custhelp.com/app/answers/detail/a_id/1002/kw/special%20consideration

Do I have to do the Literacy and Numeracy Test?Yes, you will have to sit the literacy and numeracy tests. It is recommended you do this sooner rather than later – don’t leave it to the last minute. You must register with the Australian Council for Educational Research (ACER) to do this. La Trobe does not do this for you.You can read more here, including sample test questions and how to register to sit the test: https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/FAQs about the test: https://teacheredtest.acer.edu.au/faq

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Digital Learning

How do I access LMS?All authorised student users have been issued with a Username and Password. These are the same as the Username and Password for accessing your University email account.If you have forgotten your password it is listed at the top of page 1 of your first Statement of Account, which is mailed to you approximately 2 weeks after you first enrol. To obtain a new password, please contact Student IT Support on 1300Latrobe or 1300 5287623Go to the LMS log in page and login using your student username and password. Once you have logged in a list of your available LMS subjects will be shown.

I’m having online access problems. Where do I get help?Contact Student IT Services for assistance. More information here: http://www.latrobe.edu.au/students/it

Where do I access the timetable for the Intensives when I do my Method subject(s)?This will be provided in the weeks leading up to the intensive week.

Do I have to go to everyday of the intensive for Methods if I am a part time student?For part-time students you attend the intensive days relevant to the subjects you are studying at the time. The timetable will be provided in the weeks leading up to the intensive week.

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Professional Experience(2nd Year and beyond)

Can I arrange my own professional experience placement?All placements are arranged by the ASSC Placement team. You cannot arrange your own placement; however, if you know of a school that is available please send all the information to the ASSC Placement team who will be able to make contact with the school on your behalf. If you have any questions please contact the team on: ASSC Placements assc.placements@latrobe.edu.au

I don’t have a placement yet and I’m worried I’ve missed out. What can I do?Placement can occur at times outside of the specific allocated time. The Placement team will always inform you if there will be a delay in finding you a school or educational environment. If you have any questions please contact the team on: ASSC Placements assc.placements@latrobe.edu.au

How do I find out more about professional experience?Please see the LMS Hub for Placement details.

I am pregnant. Can I still undertake professional experience?If you are undertaking professional placement it is best that you seek medical advice from your doctor and acquire a medical certificate that it is safe for you to continue. Please inform the Placement team on: ASSC Placements assc.placements@latrobe.edu.au

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I have a delayed professional experience. Does this mean I automatically have an extension on assignments?If you have a professional experience that occurs out of sequence you do not automatically receive an extension for assessment due during this time. If you feel you need to apply for an extension you must request an extension with the relevant Subject Coordinator.

Please see the question and advice under “I need to apply for an extension. How do I do this?”

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Course Transfer

I want to transfer into a different course. What do I need to know?Many students begin studying at university in one course, with the intention of transferring into a different course. This is often the case for students enrolled in the Bachelor of Educational Studies course, who intend to apply to transfer into an undergraduate teacher education course as soon as possible.

In order to transfer course, you need to contact ASK La Trobe to find out about deadlines, criteria and course planning.

For students intending to transfer from the Bachelor of Educational Studies into an undergraduate teacher education course, for instance the Bachelor of Education, the requirement is that the full first year course is completed satisfactorily as per the set course plan. There are criteria regarding subject marks; you want the highest marks possible in all subjects, so aim for marks in the high Cs (65% or higher across all your Year 1 subjects). However, please note that marks alone do not guarantee a place in the intended course.

For students beginning their studies with an intended course transfer in mind, it can help to speak with ASK La Trobe about the required subjects in the intended course or preferred subjects to lead into a Major/Minor. You might be permitted to essentially complete the entire Year 1 of your intended course while enrolled as a BES student, which will mean not needing to study any Year 1-level subjects when enrolled in the new/preferred course.

Halfway through Semester 2 of Year 1, you should do the following:

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1. Consult with ASK La Trobe or your Course Coordinator regarding subject selection for your Year 2 of study, making sure you are clear about your intended course.

2. Re-enrol in the BES for the following year. This will ensure you are recognised by the La Trobe University student admin office as a ‘current student’ into your Year 2 of university studies. In order to re-enrol, you will need to select subjects. ASK La Trobe or your Course Coordinator can help you with this.

3. Complete the ‘Application for Course Transfer’ form. Check which form you have – you will need either ‘Domestic’ or ‘International’, and must complete the correct form. Make sure you select the box regarding ‘Advanced Standing’ and credit for subjects already completed at La Trobe University – this means you will retain credit for the subjects you have already completed and therefore reduce the number of Year 1-level subjects you might need to complete in your Year 2 of university studies.

Make sure you check with ASK La Trobe about the deadlines for re-enrolment and transfer applications. It is best if both are done before the end of Semester 2. You do not need to wait for your final subject marks from your Semester 2 subjects before re-enrolling or applying to transfer; the university system will update your records with your Sem. 2 marks, and the transfer committee will then make a decision regarding your application.

What happens if my ‘Application for Course Transfer’ is rejected?If you apply to transfer from your course into a different course but are not successful, contact ASK La Trobe or your Course Coordinator to discuss your options and subject planning.

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Teacher Registration

I’m in the final year of my studies. How does La Trobe tell VIT about my grades? When will La Trobe release my transcript to VIT?La Trobe will send through your final grades to VIT to assist you with your registration. You do not have to do anything.Information is provided here: http://www.vit.vic.edu.au/registering-as-a-teacher

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