Evaluating a Pilot Course Student Support and Development – a 360 Degree Professional Learning Opportunity

While there are several formal “for credit” professional preparation courses for people workingin or aspiring to work in student support and development roles in higher education in the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK), to date, no such qualification has been available in Australia or New Zealand. In 2018, a new Student Support and Development course (the Course) was piloted though Host University, Australia. The course was offered as a fully on-line course, either as a credit pathway to the Graduate Certificate in Professional Learning (Host University), or purely for professional development for those not wishing to undertake formal assessment items. A total of 39 participants initially enrolled in the Course with 29 completing some or all of the Course components. On completion of the course, 72% (N = 21) of participants received a Certificate of Completion with almost 43% (N=9) of those undertaking additional tasks and receiving 10CP credit (AQF Level 8) into further tertiary study. Twenty-eight percent of participants (N=8) received a Certificate of Participation for completing some of the course modules. Overall feedback indicated that the Course was relevant, would positively impact practice, and reported a general satisfaction with the mode and delivery of the Course. However, it was also noted that the diversity of participants’ prior experience needed to be considered and that the course needed to be more focused to provide multiple pathways for differing levels of experience and training. Other insights together with reflections of staff facilitating delivery, will be used to inform planning for, and future development of the Course.