Course details

Summary

The aims of the qualification are as follows:

• To gain skills and knowledge that are directly relevant to working or further training in the animal care sector.
• To provide a base for learners to progress to more advanced studies in animal care.
• To provide a programme of study that will enhance the knowledge base for the contexts of lifestyle block and/or companion animals for those working or intending to work in the animal care sector.

Course Content

Compulsory

• ACS100 Zoonoses and Their Control (8 credits)
• ACS101 Animal Anatomy and Physiology (10 credits)
• ACS102 Ethical and Legal Behaviour in Relation to Animals (7 credits)
• ACS103 Normal and Abnormal Behaviour and Emergency Procedures (5 credits)
• ACS103 and ACS104 must be done together as the course work and assessments are integrated
• ACS104 Basic Animal Health Procedures and First Aid (5 credits)
• ACS103 and ACS104 must be done together as the course work and assessments are integrated
• ACS105 Signs of Ill Health in Animals (5 credits)

Companion Animal Context - Choose 3 from

• ACS111 Cat Identification, Health and Housing (10 credits)
• ACS106 Dog Identification, Health and Housing (10 credits)
• ACS112 Reptile and Amphibian Identification, Health and Housing (10 credits)
• ACS109 Rodent and Rabbit Identification, Health and Housing (10 credits)
• ACS113 Caged Bird Identification, Health and Housing (10 credits)

Satisfactory Completion

To satisfactorily complete the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Fish, Horses, Companion Animals, and Lifestyle Block Animals) (Level 3), and be awarded this qualification the student must successfully achieve:

• A minimum of 70 credits in accordance with the Programme schedule for the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Fish, Horses, Companion Animals, and Lifestyle Block Animals) (Level 3).

• The student will normally be expected to complete the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Fish, Horses, Companion Animals, and Lifestyle Block Animals) (Level 3) full-time over 6 months or part-time over 2 years.

Qualification Pathways

Graduates of this Level 3 Certificate may wish to apply for one of our on-campus Veterinary Nursing programmes.

Entry criteria

Applicants should be a minimum of 16 years of age, and have attained NCEA Level 2 as follows:

• 60 credits at Level 2 or above, plus
• 20 credits from any level, and Literacy & Numeracy each – minimum of 10 credits at Level 1 or above

Mature Applicant Criteria

Applicants over the age of 20 years at time of enrolment will be considered where they can demonstrate the ability to succeed in a programme.

English Language Requirements

Applicants from countries with an annual student visa approval rate of at least 80 per cent, whose first language is not English, or who come from a country where the language of instruction in schools is not English, are required to provide evidence of having achieved an NZQA approved English Proficiency Assessment, or achievement the required score in one of the following internationally recognised English Proficiency tests within the preceding two years:

• IELTS test – General or Academic score of 5, with no band score lower than 5
• TOEFL Paper based test (pBT) – Score of 500 (with an essay score 4 TWE)
• TOEFL Internet- based test (iBT) – Score of 35 (with a writing score of 20)
• University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations – FCE, or FCE for schools, with a score of 154. No less than 154 in each skill.
• NZCEL – Level 3 with an endorsement of either General, Workplace, or Academic
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) – PToE (Academic) score of 36
• City and Guilds IESOL – B1 Achiever with a score of 43