Students of this program are generally employed in industry and are therefore assumed to be studying part-time. The usual progression rate for a part-time student is 2 courses per term. Students wishing to study in excess of 2 courses per term must apply in writing to the Program Coordinator.

Engineering practice (work experience) and report
An integral part of the program, and a requirement of Engineers Australia for program accreditation, is a minimum of six weeks of approved work experience in an engineering environment. This may be completed during the student vacation(s) or at other times within the program of study.   

As proof of work experience, students will be required to submit a formal report indicating the type of work done, the degree of responsibility involved, the person(s) to whom the student was directly responsible, and the general activities of the employer. This report should be certified by the employer. Refer to ‘Engineering Practice' document (faculty website http://fseh.cqu.edu.au/ under 'Current Students') for further information on work experience documentation required.

To graduate students must successfully complete and submit their Engineering Practice report at least six months prior to their nominated 'Expected Graduation Term' (EGT). Failure to meet this deadline may result in a delay to the expected graduation date. 

Articulation and credit transfer
The program allows the recognition of students' appropriate previous study and experience gained from working in industry, through 'Recognition of Prior Learning' (RPL) and 'Recognition of Current Competencies' (RCC). Students will be assessed for exemption on a case-by-case basis and will be required to nominate courses they wish to be considered for exemption from. Grounds for that exemption, through their demonstration of prior achievement of a significant component of the CQU courses learning outcomes, must be documented. Students may only gain credit transfer for up to 50% of the overall program, on a units of credit basis.

Transfer into the Bachelor of Engineering programs
All CQU Associate Degree of Engineering program plans have a defined articulation path into the Bachelor of Engineering Technology (BET) and Bachelor of Engineering (BE) programs. Students considering articulation into the BET or BE should contact their Program Advisor.
 
Rules for progression in the BET program
The ADE program is criterion-referenced. As such, progress is conditional upon students having acquired specified skills and knowledge in previous courses of study. Students failing a course twice will be required to demonstrate to their Program Advisor why their third attempt is likely to be successfully before they enrol again.

Computing requirements
It is a requirement of enrolment in this program that all students have access to the CQU website via the Internet. All courses in this program will be delivered via an online course accessed through the CQU Blackboard portal http://e-courses.cqu.edu.au/.