Skills for Tertiary Education Preparatory Studies (STEPS) is a pre-University preparatory program that can help prepare potential applicants for tertiary study.

STEPS aims to afford adults who have turned 19, and who are Australian or New Zealand citizens or hold permanent resident or humanitarian visas, an opportunity to study at university.

STEPS is a 12 week Accelerated or a 24 week Extended or Flex (night-time) program, designed to instill in its adult learners the skills and confidence necessary to embark on tertiary study.

STEPS covers academic communication, mathematics, computing, independent learning skills, study skills and library/information literacy skills.

The great majority of students who have completed STEPS have gained entrance to CQU or other tertiary institutions, while others have moved on to more rewarding careers.

This program is offered on campus during T1 and T2.

Course and Study Allowance

• Language & Learning Flex A - 3 hours/week
• Language & Learning Flex B - 3 hours/week
• Transition Mathematics 1 Flex A - 3 hours/week
• Transition Mathematics 1 Flex B - 3 hours/week
• Computing for Academic Assignment Writing Flex A - 1.5 hours/week
• Computing for Academic Assignment Writing Flex B - 1.5 hours/week
• Tertiary Preparation Skills Flex A - 1.5 hours/week
• Tertiary Preparation Skills Flex B - 1.5 hours/week
  

Courses
Language and Learning Flex A (LNGE40040)
This course aims to have students acquire the reading, thinking and writing skills necessary for academic purposes. It helps students to apply recent findings on learning to writing and study. Students are familiarised with the stages of the writing process and gain practice in writing in a variety of genres. Particular attention is given to reading for planning and writing the academic essay. Through research, writing and discussion, students gain an understanding of both past and present social, political and economic influences on Australia as it faces social change in the 21st century.

Language and Learning Flex B (LNGE40041)
This course continues on from the Language and Learning Flex A and aims to have students acquire the reading, thinking and writing skills necessary for academic purposes. It helps students to apply recent findings on learning to writing and study. Students are familiarised with the stages of the writing process and gain practice in writing in a variety of genres. Particular attention is given to reading for planning and writing the academic essay. Through research, writing and discussion, students gain an understanding of both past and present social, political and economic influences on Australia as it faces social change in the 21st century.

Transition Mathematics 1 Flex A (MATH40230)
Transition Mathematics 1 Flex A introduces the foundation concepts, rules and methods of basic mathematics. The course aims to assist students to develop confidence in handling mathematical concepts and techniques and to motivate them to undertake further study in mathematics. Topics covered include number types, operations with numbers (including rules of precedence), percentages, introductory algebraic manipulation and introductory statistics. Transition Mathematics 1 Flex A is the first part of a two-part mathematics course for STEPS Extended students. It is assumed that students will complete the content of Transition Mathematics 1 Flex A before undertaking Transition Mathematics 1 Flex B.

Transition Mathematics 1 Flex B (MATH40231)
Transition Mathematics 1 Flex B is the second part of a two-part mathematics course for STEPS students. This course continues on from Transition Mathematics 1 Flex A. Transition Mathematics 1 Flex B introduces additional foundation concepts, rules and methods of basic mathematics. The course aims to assist the student to develop confidence in handling mathematical concepts and techniques and to motivate them to undertake further study in mathematics and statistics. Topics covered include exponents (indices), solving algebraic equations, coordinate geometry of a straight line and units and their conversions.

Computing for Academic Assignment Writing Flex A (COIT40212)
This course aims to develop skills necessary for word processing assignments correctly using Microsoft Word and creating spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Students will use the Internet (World Wide Web and email in particular) to develop research skills necessary for academic studies.

Computing for Academic Assignment Writing Flex B (COIT40213)
This course continues on from Computing for Academic Assignment Writing Flex A. It aims to develop skills necessary for word processing assignments correctly using Microsoft Word and creating spreadsheets using Microsoft Excel. Students will use the Internet (World Wide Web and email in particular) to develop research skills necessary for academic studies.

Tertiary Preparation Flex A (SKIL40007)
Students will be familiarised with the university programs and procedures as well as develop organisational strategies, oral presentation and research/information literacy skills necessary for academic studies.

Tertiary Preparation Flex B (SKIL40008)
This course continues on from Tertiary Preparation Skills Flex A. Students will be familiarised with university programs and procedures as well as develop organisational strategies, oral presentations and research/information literacy skills necessary for academic studies.