Graduate Certificates
A.C.E. Graduate Certificates are issued by Accelerate Educational Ministries (AEM), who recognise when a child has successfully completed their Senior Secondary studies, using the A.C.E. program. It confirms that your child has finished the required courses and credits for their chosen graduate certificate pathway.
To obtain a graduate certificate, a child must complete a set number of credits for specific core subject areas, including English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, and Christian Studies. The required number of credits must be obtained for each of these, along with additional credits from elective courses.
There are two certificate pathway options available:
General Certificate – suitable for those wanting to move into employment, TAFE studies, apprenticeships, or further vocational study.
Academic Certificate – recommended for those desiring to gain entrance into university, including higher academic requirements.
Graduate Certificate pathways must be registered before beginning the higher-level PACEs (Levels 10-12), so that all completed work is counted towards the desired certificate. Once all required coursework, credits, assessment and moderation checks have been completed, AEM issues a Graduate Certificate, which can be used for work, further study, or tertiary entrance (depending on the chosen pathway).
Certificate Pathways
A 'certificate pathway' is a study path or plan of study that enables a child to earn a graduate certificate, making the learning journey clear and tailored to a child's future goals. The requirements for these are determined by Accelerate Educational Ministries' Academic Council.
How it works:
- From around Year 9 in Australia or Year 10 in New Zealand, when working on PACE 1085 in four or more subjects, your child will have the opportunity to choose a graduate certificate pathway that aligns with their goals — for example: working towards employment or an apprenticeship, transitioning to TAFE, or entrance into university. Certificate Pathways start with PACE 1085 onwards.
The certificate pathway requirements includes the number of credits required, mandatory subjects (English, Maths, Science, Social Studies, Christian Studies), and which electives will help achieve the student’s goal.
It’s important that the pathway is registered early, before completing the senior-level PACEs, so work completed aligns with the certificate pathway and is counted towards the graduate certificate.
The certificate pathway helps monitor your child's progress, as they complete courses and tracks whether they are on target for obtaining their graduate certificate to transition into employment, TAFE or university studies.
As each child's destination is different, pathways can be adjusted (with consultant support) if goals change along the way.
Why it matters:
Having a clear pathway means the child will not miss required credits or complete unnecessary electives that will not be counted towards the graduate certificate.
It supports future options, as a pathway designed for university will include subjects that have been awarded Academic Rigour status, whereas a pathway for vocational training will not require this and may include more practical course selections. Forward planning helps avoid having to change course and “catch up” later.
It gives both parents and children confidence knowing what needs to be done and when, reducing stress in the senior years.
NOTE TO MEMBERS:
For parents with children nearing completion of PACEs in the 1080-1085 range, please check out the information on the Certificate Pathways page in our Member's Area (login first), including the supporting documents, before getting in touch with our team.
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