NATIONAL INSTITUTE for CHRISTIAN EDUCATIONAssessment and Graduation
Assessment
CCHE regards it as being important that there is consistency in student assessment between lecturers throughout CCHE and that assessment standards be comparable to those of Australian universities.
Coursework units are assessed on the basis of two or three assignment tasks presented at different times during the trimester. Effort is made to vary the nature of these tasks to allow for different learning styles, to ensure that assessment is appropriate to the subject being studied and to ensure a balance between theoretical understanding and effective practice. A student who finds the assessment task as set to be inappropriate for that student’s situation may negotiate with the lecturer an alternative task providing such tasks are of equivalent standard to those described in the course units and are in accordance with the stated purpose and learning outcomes of the coursework unit. Although primarily designed for students working in Christian schools, assignments can be adapted to suit students working in other institutions in the education sector. This is particularly applicable to students studying for the MEd (Leadership) degree.
Assessment and progression through the program are not conditional on acceptance of a particular set of beliefs or values but on academic merit. It is expected that students demonstrate an understanding of all beliefs and values that are addressed in the course work units with a particular recognition of (though not necessarily adherence to) a Christian worldview perspective. It is NICE and CCHE policy that there will be no discrimination against students whose views are at variance with the institution’s Christian commitment.
Like all tertiary institutions, CCHE and its agents seek to maintain the integrity of student assignments. Our default position is to assume that all student work genuinely is the product of those submitting it, and that all references, quotations and imports of work from other sources are properly referenced. However, following best practice NICE affirms the right to check any, some, or all assignments for irregularities in this respect, with special attention to possible plagiarism or the inclusion of unattributed material obtained from a website. Severe penalties, including ejection from CCHE programs, can result from infringements in this area.
Unit results will not be forwarded to the student until NICE has received a completed evaluation form for the unit and the student has paid all the unit registration fees.
Grades
| HD | = | 90%-100% | = | High Distinction | |
| D | = | 80%-89% | = | Distinction | |
| Cr | = | 65%-79% | = | Credit | |
| P | = | 50%-64% | = | Pass | |
| N | = | < 50% | = | Not Satisfactory | |
| WN | = | late withdrawal | = | Not Satisfactory |
Graduation
Students studying through NICE receive, on completion of their course, a qualification from the College of Christian Higher Education (CCHE). The CCHE graduation ceremony is usually held in Sydney during April each year. In order to qualify for graduation students need to have completed their course by the end of the preceding trimester 3. It is the responsibility of students, after they have successfully completed the minimum number of units for their particular course of study, to make application to NICE for graduation. The Course Completion and Graduation Form is available in the Information Centre on NICEOnline.
Upon receipt of the completed Course Completion and Graduation Form, NICE will verify the student’s eligibility for graduation, before forwarding the information to the CCHE Academic Board for approval. Once approval is received from the Academic Board and confirmed by the CCHE Council, the student will be contacted and invited to take part in the graduation ceremony.
To be considered for graduation, the application form should be received in the NICE office by 31 January each year. There is no application fee for a graduation application, although there is a charge to offset the costs of the ceremony and the hire or purchase of academic regalia.
From time to time, to assist distance education students, awards ceremonies may be held in locations other than Sydney.
Updated on 2 July 2008