我们澳洲首选留学网刚刚接到的格里菲斯大学附属学院QIBT的通知：他们于2010年2月入学这期开始正式推出副学位（Associate Degree）课程。
首先给各位同学介绍下副学位课程的情况（部分转自WIKIPEDIA的英文介绍）：
An associate degree is an academic degree awarded by community colleges, junior colleges, four-year universities, business colleges and some bachelor’s degree-granting colleges/universities upon completion of a course of study usually lasting two years.
In the United States and, uncommonly, in Canada, an associate degree is equivalent to the first two years of a four-year college or university degree. It is the lowest in the hierarchy of post-secondary academic degrees offered in these countries.
In 2000, Hong Kong introduced associate degrees, as an equivalence to higher diplomas. These programmes are mainly provided through affiliated colleges at universities. In 2004, Australia added “associate degree” to the Australian Qualifications Framework. This title was given to more academically focused advanced diploma courses.
大概意思是说，本科副学位ASSOCIATE DEGREE是指大学头两年可获得的文凭。是相对本科文凭低一级，比高中文凭高一级的学位。副学位在美国非常流行，在香港也是同样。其他国家，如澳大利亚从2004年开始，副学位也正是列入他们的澳洲教育体系Australian Qualifications Framework中。
格里菲斯大学附属学院，QIBT提供的副学位课程特点如下：
Key points relating to the Associate Degree:
- It is a 2 year program which is equivalent to 1st and 2nd year of the relevant Griffith University Bachelor degree;
- Associate Degree graduates articulate to Griffith for their final year of study to gain their Bachelor degree;
- The QIBT Diploma of Commerce and Diploma of Hotel Management programs are equivalent to 1st year of the Associate Degree;
- QIBT Diploma of Commerce and Diploma of Hotel Management graduates can enter the Associate Degree in 2nd year.
The Associate Degree in Commerce and Business has been established primarily to assist Diploma of Commerce and Diploma of Hotel Management graduates with Grade Point Averages (GPA’s) below 4.5. Griffith University and QIBT believe these graduates would benefit from a further year of study at QIBT.
如果有任何关于该课程的问题，欢迎各位同学和家长及时与我们联系！
此致，
澳洲首选留学网
2010年1月15日