FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
What is the Diploma in Adult and Continuing Education (DACE) about?
DACE is a 360-hour classroom-facilitated diploma programme designed to equip existing and new adult educators with skills to be facilitators, assessors, curriculum developers and researchers within the adult education and training environment. As part of the WSQ (Workforce Skills Qualification) Framework, DACE is recognised by the Singapore Workforce Development Agency (WDA) and the industry as providing relevant and up-to-date skills for adult educators.
Who should apply?
You should apply if you:
You should possess:
You could be:
- are a new or existing trainer, assessor or curriculum developer seeking to upgrade
- wish to join the adult education and training profession at Diploma level
You should possess:
- effective verbal and written communication skills in English
- sound analytical skills
- strong presentation skills
- good IT and research skills
- personal aspirations that align with the CET career pathway
You could be:
- a training officer or manager who delivers training and conducts assessment in your organisation
- a learning and development officer or manager performing Human Resource Development function in an organisation
- an independent trainer or assessor engaged by organisations to conduct training and assessments
How long is the programme?
The 360 hours includes the time spent on facilitated learning in the classroom, assessment sessions, Practicum and the Capstone Project. It does not include the amount of time for self-study, project work and individual research.
Participants without the full ACTA (Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment) qualification are expected to take up to 15 months on a full-time basis (2 days per week) or 30 months on a part-time basis (2 to 3 evenings per week) to complete the programme.
Participants without the full ACTA (Advanced Certificate in Training and Assessment) qualification are expected to take up to 15 months on a full-time basis (2 days per week) or 30 months on a part-time basis (2 to 3 evenings per week) to complete the programme.
What if I have ACTA qualifications?
You will participate in accelerated DACE in recognition of the competencies you have achieved in ACTA. This applies to participants with the full ACTA qualification (CU1 to CU6) only. If you have attained the SOAs (Statements of Attainment) for only some of the ACTA modules, you will have to join the full DACE programme.
The accelerated DACE programme is expected to last approximately 14 months for full-time (day classes) and 28 months for part-time (evening classes) participants.
The accelerated DACE programme is expected to last approximately 14 months for full-time (day classes) and 28 months for part-time (evening classes) participants.
How is DACE different from ACTA?
Besides being much longer, the DACE programme is pitched at a much higher level to challenge you to think critically and creatively about issues relating to adult learning and continuing education. The training entails in-depth examination of theoretical frameworks and principles while retaining a strong practical flavour for you to apply what you have learned to your work.
In addition, there are three new features in DACE not found in ACTA:
In addition, there are three new features in DACE not found in ACTA:
- Practicum
- Capstone Project
- Specialisation Tracks
What is the Practicum about?
To help you apply the knowledge and skills acquired from the modules, you are required to complete 30 hours of Practicum in a host organisation with training functions (e.g. retail chain with a training department). As such, it will be helpful if you are already working in such an organisation or have training organisations ready to take you in for the Practicum. For participants without a Practicum Host Organisation, IAL will provide you with the necessary assistance to locate one. During the course of the Practicum, IAL will provide a supervisor to monitor and assess your performance in the host organisation.
Can I change my Practicum Host Organisation (PHO) half way through my Practicum or Capstone Project for various reasons, for example due to a change of employer?
This is strongly discouraged and unless there is a compulsive reason we would say no. Changing can create major disruptions that can affect the range of work activities agreed in your planned learning contract. This in turn affects the assessment of your Practicum or Capstone Project, making it much more challenging for your assessor to conduct a fair and valid assessment. Any request for change in PHO must be applied for in writing clearly stating the reasons for the proposed switch.
What is the Capstone Project about?
As with most diploma programmes, participants have to demonstrate their ability at integrating the knowledge and skills acquired from the individual modules. In DACE, this is done through the completion of a workplace project in the host organisation at the end of the programme. The project plan will be discussed and agreed on by the IAL supervisor, the PHO coordinator and you. The project has to be based on the specialisation track you take and be relevant to the needs of your host organisation. Examples include planning and designing the framework of a new curriculum or developing e-learning course materials.
What are the Specialisation Tracks?
The DACE Specialisation Tracks are as follows:
You are required to select one specialisation track and complete all the modules as specified for that track. You may also need to complete one or two more modules outside of the specialisation track to top up the total number of credits to 12 for the Elective component.
- Curriculum Development
- Assessment and Evaluation
- E-Learning
- Facilitation
- Workplace Learning & On-The-Job Training
- CET Research
- Workplace Literacy (under development)
You are required to select one specialisation track and complete all the modules as specified for that track. You may also need to complete one or two more modules outside of the specialisation track to top up the total number of credits to 12 for the Elective component.
Can I change my specialisation track midway through the programme?
Once the Elective Modules have already commenced, you are not allowed to change specialisation track. Any request for change of specialisation track has to be made in writing prior to the commencement of the Elective Modules. Requests are considered on a case-by-case basis. Careful consideration of your specialisation track is important to ensure you select the track most relevant to your current job role.
What will I receive upon successful completion of DACE?
You will be awarded a WSQ diploma qualification issued by WDA subject to the fulfilment of all the assessment requirements.
Am I guaranteed a job upon completion of the programme?
No, DACE is a training programme and it does not guarantee employment in the industry. However, the diploma is recognised by the WDA and is expected to enhance your job prospects in the area of adult education and training.
What is expected of participants?
You are expected to attend all the scheduled classroom training, complete all assignments and fulfil all assessment requirements including the Practicum and Capstone Project. You are also required to carry out your own research and self-study outside of training hours.
Is the programme fee subsidised?
Yes, the programme fee takes into account the subsidy under the SPUR (Skills Programme for Upgrading and Resilience) funding which is applicable only to Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents.
The current subsidised programme fees are $1,444.50 (including GST) for those attending the full DACE programme and $995.10 (including GST) for those attending the accelerated DACE programme. These figures are correct at the time of printing.
Non-Singaporeans or non-Singapore Permanent Residents will have to pay the full, non-subsidised fee.
The current subsidised programme fees are $1,444.50 (including GST) for those attending the full DACE programme and $995.10 (including GST) for those attending the accelerated DACE programme. These figures are correct at the time of printing.
Non-Singaporeans or non-Singapore Permanent Residents will have to pay the full, non-subsidised fee.
Does application for the DACE programme automatically place me on the programme?
No, enrolment into the DACE programme is not automatic. As the assumed skills and knowledge required for the programme are pitched at a fairly high level, it will be necessary to ascertain if you possess the level of competency to complete the DACE programme. Advisory services to guide applicants on the necessary enrolment process are available.
Where will the training be held?
All classroom training will be conducted at IAL while the Practicum and Capstone Project will be carried out in training organisations with an available practicum host. These organisations may also be the organisations in which you are currently working.
Can I pay the whole course fee upfront?
No, the course fee is to be paid in two instalments. The first instalment is to be paid upon confirmation of enrolment in the programme and the second instalment is due prior to the start of the Elective modules.
Will I get a refund of course fees if I decide to stop halfway through the programme?
As a general rule, course fees are not refunded once the programme has commenced. Consideration for fee refund will be made only on a case-by-case basis, on condition that the request for fee refund is made formally in writing to IAL.
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