Your ADFHEAS Experience

YOUR ADFHEAS EXPERIENCE


Email us with your ADFHEAS Story!

 

ADFHEAS Member Feedback Below:

 

Date: 5/12/2008

CAPT Samuel LEE, ARMY

 

Are you currently studying or applying?

Yes - Studying a GradDipSci (IT) at ADFA.


How are you finding your dealings with the Universities?

Southern Cross University has been very helpful with the completion of my first degree. Whilst completing my Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) part-time I spent at least 8 months in the field (or on course) annually with 1 Brigade. Many of my assignments were written on the back of field message notebooks during long plane and bus rides or during quiet times in the CP. Assignments were submitted through and eclectic mixture of fax, email, online submission and snail mail. Southern Cross were happy to accept all of the various methods.

Please tells us more about your ADFHEAS experience here:

As a non-degree qualified Signals Officer I applied to Southern Cross University to complete a BBA part time. Utilising my General Service Officer First Appointment Course (Duntroon) and some previously studied business units I was able to get advanced standing for over one half of my degree. Using the Junior Officer Professional Education Scheme (JOPES) I was able to fund the majority of my study. The remaining few units were funded utilising a combination of Defence Assistance Study Scheme (DASS) and Salary Sacrifice. I completed the qualification within 18 months with a credit average and was invited to complete honours. I declined, however, as I had utilised my recent university graduation to justify to my Career Advisor that I was capable of successful study. The Career Advisor then posted me to ADFA as a Long Term Schooling student to complete a Graduate Diploma of Science (in Information Technology). I have recently applied for Advanced Standing for my ADFA Tech Module I completed on my RASIGS Regimental Officer Basic Course and with one additional unit may be able to graduate with a Masters instead.

I am happy to share my story about the ADFHEAS Scheme and thoroughly recommend it to any Defence Members trying to get a tertiary education.

Regards,

 

S.E. LEE
Captain

 

 

 

 

Date: 5/12/2008

LCDR Glen Price, RAN.

 

In 2005 LCDR Price enrolled in a Masters program at the University Of Southern Queensland for external own-time studies under the Defence Civil Schooling (CS) scheme. Under the CS scheme Defence paid the full costs for course fees and text books, with no Return Of Service Obligation as the studies were completed in his own time.

After completing two units of the Master of Engineering Management program, LCDR Price learnt of the Australian Defence Force Higher Education Advanced Standing Scheme (ADFHEAS). Through this scheme, qualifications awarded by Defence during Service time could be used as Advanced Standing toward University Academic qualifications, such as Bachelor Degrees, Post Graduate Diplomas, and Masters Degrees.

Like most Engineer Officers, LCDR Price was awarded a Graduate Diploma in Marine Engineering in recognition of qualifications awarded during his Naval career. After receiving approval for ADFHEAS in 2006, LCDR Price was awarded advanced standing exemptions for four credit points (subjects) toward his Masters Degree, effectively halving the requirements for the award.

“The opportunities that are provided through the ADFHEAS scheme to Defence members are incredible. The scheme recognised my previous Defence qualifications, which meant that I only needed to do half the subjects for award of a Masters Degree. Normally, I would need to do twice the work in twice the time. Studying in your own time isn’t easy, but it is definitely worth the effort. Once you start nibbling away, doing one subject a semester (some Universities allow for three Semesters a year), it is surprising how quickly you can gain an academic qualification with the assistance of ADFHEAS”. LCDR Price completed the remaining two subjects and was awarded his Master of Engineering Management in October 2008, after completing only four of the required eight subjects – effectively halving the usual requirements.

LCDR Glen Price is currently serving on HMAS PERTH as the Ship’s Marine Engineer Officer and is married to Belinda with three children – Golda, Lachlan, and Connor. LCDR Price credits his success with his academic studies to the ongoing support of his wife, and the opportunities provided through the ADFHEAS and Defence Civil Schooling schemes.

regards,

LCDR Glen Price, RAN
MEO
HMAS PERTH