The Diploma of Arts (DipA) is a 1-year undergraduate pathway award into the Sheridan Bachelor of Arts. There are also credit pathways from the DipA into the undergraduate programs at Edith Cowan University, Alphacrucis University College, Avondale University and Christian Heritage College.
The DipA comprises 3 core units and 5 general elective units.
Course Structure
The Diploma of Arts (DipA) comprises 8 units of study (or subjects). Each unit represents 3 credit points. To fulfil the requirements of the DipA award, you will need to complete a minimum of 24 credit points.
Common Core units (3 units)
As a Sheridan DipA student, you will take three core units common to all DipA students:
- A core Arts unit - a unit on creative thinking.
- A core Research unit - a unit on academic and professional communication skills. This unit is taken by students from all undergraduate courses at Sheridan.
- A core Christian Studies unit - a unit introducting the Christian faith. Like the research unit, this unit is taken by students from all undergraduate courses at Sheridan.
Elective units (5 units)
You will also choose elective units from a wide range of disciplines, such creative writing, literature, economics, geography, history, family history, sociology, foreign languages, marketing or management.
If you are considering a particular discipline as a major for future study, we recommend ensuring that you take two units from that discipline during your Diploma. For example, a student considering pursuing an Economics major should take “Introduction to Microeconomics” in Semester 1 and “Introduction to Macroeconomics” in Semester 2.
Mode of Study
Face-to-face through lectures, tutorials and seminars, and is supported by Canvas, Sheridan's server-based learning management system.
All teaching takes place at the Perth CBD campus (Suite 18, 7 Aberdeen St Perth).
Sheridan does not currently provide online study options for remote students.
Course Workload
A standard Diploma of Arts unit represents 150 hours of study over a semester, including class contact hours and personal study.
The 150 hours typically consist of seminars for 36 hours (3 hours per week over 12 teaching weeks) and personal study for 114 hours (7 hours per week over 12 teaching weeks plus 10 hours per week over 3 non-teaching weeks).
If you are a full-time student (ie you are taking 4 units in a semester) you should plan to set aside a minimum of 12 hours/week for your formal classes and a total of 28-30 hours/week for your personal study.
Course Learning Outcomes
Diplomas qualify individuals who apply integrated technical and theoretical concepts in a broad range of contexts to undertake advanced skilled or paraprofessional work and provide a pathway for further learning.
Upon completion of their study, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate theoretical and technical knowledge of specialised learning areas within the humanities and social sciences.
- Exercise cognitive skills successfully to identify, analyse and synthesise information from a range of sources.
- Plan, propose and evaluate potential solutions to unpredictable problems relating to specialised learning areas within the humanities and social sciences.
- Communicate understanding of knowledge and skills relating to specialised learning areas within the humanities and social sciences to others in various learning contexts.
- Apply learned technical and creative tools from one or more specialised learning areas within the humanities and social sciences to interpret and resolve unpredictable problems in a range of scenarios.
- Demonstrate the capacity to seek knowledge and truth with persistence, independence, rigour, and integrity.
- Evaluate the relevance of Christian faith and practice to the pursuit of knowledge in the humanities and social sciences.
- Model self-discipline, servant leadership and respect for the dignity of individuals and groups in various settings.
Each unit taken in the Diploma of Arts program will contribute towards the fulfilment of these broader learning outcomes
Course Specific Requirements
A minimum ATAR score of 70 or its equivalent
For other acceptable entry requirements, please view the relevant sections:
Domestic students
International students
Pathways to a Bachelor degree
Students graduating with a Diploma of Arts at Sheridan Institute of Higher Education will receive 24 credits towards the Sheridan Bachelor of Arts.
See also Alternative Degree Pathways for pathways from the Diploma of Arts to degrees at other institutions.