Graduate Attributes

The Australian Catholic University has revised the ACU Graduate Attributes. This revision was prompted for a number of reasons. As the University moves to explicitly develop and assess the graduate attributes in all courses, it became apparent that several of the graduate attributes were not assessable in terms of their wording. Feedback from students and staff also indicated that certain graduate attributes were perceived to overlap while some useful attributes were perceived to be missing.

The University engaged in an extensive consultation process which included the ACU National Students Association. The essential qualities/attributes in the ‘old' ACU Graduate Attributes are still to be found in the new ACU Graduate Attributes. The wording has been changed to clarify intent and to enhance their assessment. You will also notice that in line with the ethos of the University, the Catholic Identity and Mission graduate attributes have been fore-grounded.

The University has undertaken to develop and assess the graduate attributes in each of its courses. Students come to ACU already possessing many of those attributes of course, and so the University expects to provide students with opportunities to further develop the graduate attributes.

If you would like to ask questions, make comments about or discuss the new ACU Graduate Attributes, the Learning and Teaching Centre (LTC) has set up a student blog located at http://studentblogs.acu.edu.au/gradattributes/ You will need your student user name and password to access the site.

The new ACU Graduate attributes can be found on the ACU website at www.acu.edu.au/gradattributes and are below.

Many thanks for your support, I hope that you will find these Graduate Attributes of assistance in your learning and preparation for your professional lives.

With every best wish,

____________________________________________
Professor Anne Cummins
Pro Vice-Chancellor (Students, Learning & Teaching)
Australian Catholic University

40 Edward Street, North Sydney, NSW, 2060
PO Box 968, North Sydney, NSW, 2059
Telephone: (61 2) 9739 2936
Facsimile: (61 2) 9739 2956
Email: anne.cummins@acu.edu.au