Bachelor of Rural Studies

About the course

The increasing complexity and rate of change facing rural and regional communities in Australia is widely acknowledged and interdependence between rural development and regional development is also widely recognised.

Competence in decision making, problem solving, planning, marketing, financial management and change management are increasingly important for business success. Successful businesses and community organisations are also characterised by sound integration of the technical, managerial and social components of the business enterprise and the development of a range of personal characteristics required by successful managers.

The Rural Studies program aims to recognise the competencies existing in our regional areas and offers students the opportunity to progress their learning in the areas outlined above in a relatively self-directed manner.

The course is targeted at students who wish to study rural communities and rural society from a social science perspective, who seek an understanding of fundamentals of environmental management and agriculture and who require basic skills in the use of information technology and business management, all within a flexible course structure.

It recognises the need for a manager to have a sound and detailed understanding of the overall operation of a business or other organisation, particularly for accountability and strategic planning purposes, and to have developed the skills for life long learning.

The Bachelor of Rural Studies incorporates the following key attributes:

• recognition of prior learning
• accessibility
• flexibility
• supportive
• nurturing student learning through a problem based curriculum leading to the development of lifelong learning skills
• recognition of student development with formal qualification at various exit points to cater for diversity in student needs and expectations

Where it will take you

The Rural Studies program aims to contribute to the social, economic and environmental sustainability of rural communities by equipping graduates with skills and knowledge in four core areas:

• society and personal development
• business management and information technology
• agriculture and environmental management
  and
• managing change

The first two years aim to develop basic skills in three core areas; society and personal development, business management and information technology, and agriculture and environmental management. Years three and four of study aim to build on the skills developed in the first year.

Study at this level will give students the ability to:

• achieve a working knowledge of information and communications technology (ICT) applications, their uses and limitations
• work with business management, agricultural and environmental systems to achieve identified goals
• recognise key factors influencing the sustainability of a business or other organisation
• demonstrate their individual development both personally and in terms of their work and community roles during the period of study.
• locate relevant information for solving problems
• interpret information
• decide on the most appropriate actions to achieve defined objectives and to organise and implement action effectively
• show an ability to manage themselves and others through the development of skills in communication, teamwork and leadership

The final two years build on the core subjects studied at the previous two levels, and aim to prepare graduates to be competent professional managers equipped with the ability and skills to effectively play multiple roles in a rural or regional community. They will also be able to assess the value of the advice of specialists. Building on the outcomes of previous levels, study at this level will give students the ability to:

• evaluate management systems and to determine the most appropriate design and action in a given context
• assess the need for specialist advice, and assess the value of advice received
• think strategically
• manage change effectively
• demonstrate competencies representative of their individual course of study based on elective subjects
• provide leadership in rural communities

Credit for prior studies

In all courses offered by the School of Rural Management , students may be granted advanced standing for one subject of unspecified credit at Level 1 for approved certificate courses which are not already taught at the University. To be granted this, an Application for Credit form must be completed and submitted to the School Liaison Officer within Student Administration. The applicant must obtain a total of 8 credit points and provide copies of the successfully completed certificates. Upon approval this can be counted as an elective subject at Level 1 students are reminded that no more than 9 Level 1 subjects can be counted towards the degree. Those certificate courses presently approved include:

Approved certificate course and credit points

• Woolclassing - 3
• Chemical Users - 3
• NSW Farmers Chemical Card - 3
• TAFE Chemical Application -3
• Stock and Station Agency Skills - 3
• Occupational Health and Safety - 3
• Diesel Maintenance - 3
• Rangeland Management -3
• NSW Farmers Farm Safety Assessment 2
• MLA Beef Futures Effective Pricing 2
• Electric Welding 2
• Gas/Oxyacetylene Welding - 2
• Small Engines/Motors - 2
• NSW Farmers Chain Saw Operation and Maintenance - 2
• Bushfire Safety - 2
• Agricultural Blasting/Explosives - 2
• Pest Control (non chemical) - 1
• First Aid - 1
• Pregnancy Testing - 1
• Artificial Insemination - 1
• Electric Fencing/Fencing - 1
• Permaculture (14 day workshop + University assessment) - 8
• TAFE Equitation Course - 8
• TAFE, Tocal and Murrumbidgee Certificate III (AQF 3) or provided 100 hours minimum study at AQF 3 level or above - 8
• TAFE, Tocal and Murrumbidgee Certificate IV (AQF 4 or provided 100 hours minimum study at AQF 3 level or above - 8
• TAFE, Tocal and Murrumbidgee Diploma (AQF 5) or provided 100 hours minimum study at AQF 3 level or above - 8
• TAFE, Tocal and Murrumbidgee Advanced Diploma (AQF 6) or provided 100 hours minimum study at AQF 3 level or above - 8

Graduation Requirements

The program has multiple exit points:

University Certificate in Rural Studies (64 points) [exit point only]
The Certificate incorporates the first year of the program outlined above.

Associate Degree in Rural Studies (128 points) [exit point only]
The Associate Degree incorporates the first and second years of the program outlined above.

Bachelor of Rural Studies (192 points)

Back to Charles Sturt University

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