Course structure
The Associate Degree in Policing Practice is offered in two components and is delivered over a number of sessions, depending on the pathway you follow.
The course is delivered in trimesters (there are three trimesters in a calendar year).
| Trimester 1 | starts in January |
| Trimester 2 | starts in May |
| Trimester 3 | starts in September |
“Session” is the term used to explain where you are in the course. For example;
- A student studying full-time on campus may start their Session 1 in any of the three Trimesters (January, May or September)
- For a student studying part-time by distance education, the first session (Session 1A) may be commenced in any of the three Trimesters (January, May or September).
All sessions are of approx. 14 weeks in duration, with a two or three-week break between sessions.
COMPONENT 1:Sessions 1 and 2
During Sessions 1 and 2, you are a student of Charles Sturt University and, after completion of these sessions, you apply for employment with NSW Police Force. Apart from successfully completing your studies, you must also satisfy other employment criteria established by the NSW Police Force. These criteria are outlined in the application for employment kit. Please note that due to changing needs of NSW Police Force, employment is not guaranteed.
Session 1 can be studied full time on campus or by distance education and presently there are three intakes per year into Session 1 (January, May, September).
Session 2 is studied full-time at the NSW Police Force College in Goulburn
A Police field placement forms an integral part of the ADPP. Students undertake a placement with a NSW Police Force Local Area Command. This placement provides an insight into the practical application of the theoretical foundations of the course. The field placement, totalling 80 hours, is a compulsory component of the ADPP. You will be expected to complete it in the break usually between Sessions 1 and 2.
COMPONENT 2:Sessions 3, 4 & 5
If you are employed by the NSW Police Force, you move on to the second component of the course. During this component, you are a student of Charles Sturt University and a Probationary Constable with the NSW Police Force.
You study by Distance Education (DE) while employed full-time with the NSW Police Force.
Images courtesy of Anne Simpson, School of Policing Studies
