National Certificate in Animal Care Nz

New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care (Companion Animal)

Are you passionate about the care and welfare of companion animals? This certificate programme is a great place to start your professional career working with animals.

Level

3

Credits

70 credits (0.583 EFTS)

Campus

Mt Albert

Start dates

February (part-time), April (distance learning), July (full-time), or September (distance learning)

Duration

Full-time for 16 weeks. Part-time over one year. Distance learning for six months.

Programme overview

Please note: Distance-learning students still need to attend 2 block courses at our Mt. Albert campus.

Whether you're straight out of school, currently working with animals, or thinking about a career change, the New Zealand Certificate in Animal Care is a great place to start your career working with animals!

We cover all aspects of animal care including health, hygiene, behaviour, and handling. We'll give you the applied knowledge and skills to care for a wide range of companion animals including dogs, cats, rabbits, rodents, reptiles, and birds, in a variety of settings including your home, pet shops, kennels, and catteries.

Choose from one of three study options that work best with your schedule:

• Part-time study (evening classes): This takes place over one year from February to November. Classes run twice a week, Tuesday and Wednesday, 5:30-8:30pm.
• Full-time study (evening classes): This takes place over one semester from July to November. Classes run three times a week, Monday – Wednesday, 5:30-8:30pm.
• Distance learning (day classes during block courses): This takes place over one semester from April to September, or September to February. Anyone from across New Zealand is eligible for this programme as the bulk of the programme is online.

Highlights

• Take the first step towards a professional animal care-related career by gaining a comprehensive understanding of animal husbandry
• Develop essential communication skills and professional capabilities
• Passionate teaching staff who are experts in their fields and work closely with industry
• This programme can provide a pathway for further study in a range of animal-related programmes Unitec; discover your extensive range of options here!
• Access to Unitec's Behaviour and Husbandry Centre - Te Puna Kararehe - where you'll get a hands-on introduction to animal care through 12 hours on-site practical training and 48 hours of placement experience at an approved external facility.
• A mix of daytime and evening on-campus classes, practicals, and self-directed learning, depending on your study option.

Distance Learning

The distance learning option for this programme is full-time, and you'll be required to attend two compulsory block courses at our Mt. Albert campus.

To study from a distance, you need to be self-motivated, committed and have excellent time management skills. You need to attend all block courses, exams, practical assessments, work experience, as well as complete your self-directed study (research, reading, revision) and assessment writing.

You'll also need to have consistent access to a computer with a reliable internet connection and appropriate office software i.e. Microsoft Office, which we'll provide once you're enrolled.

Where to next?

Successful completion of this programme will allow you to work in the animal care industry with limited supervision. If you're interested in continuing your studies, this programme will give you the academic admission requirements for higher-level animal programmes at Unitec including:

• New Zealand Certificate in Animal Technology (Veterinary Nursing Assistant)
• New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Companion Animals)
• New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Captive Wild Animals)
•  If you're specifically interested in dog training, have a look at our New Zealand Certificate in Animal Management (Canine Behaviour and Training).

Please note:International students who graduate will NOT be eligible for a post-study work visa upon completion of this programme.

Te Puna Kararehe

Home to creatures of all shapes and sizes - furry, hairy, and scaly - the Animal Behaviour and Husbandry Centre provides a safe and secure place to learn about the care, health and husbandry of a wide range of companion animal species.

One day you might learn about playful ways to feed a rabbit, or find out what's involved with a guinea pig's routine health check. You might also use the facility to undertake behaviour-based research projects like food preference testing with a blue-tongue skink.

Then there's the added benefit of being able to pet cute animals on your lunchbreak - something the animals enjoy just as much as you will.

Admission requirements

Academic requirements

For this programme, you will need the following:

1. NCEA Level 1, with strengths from the Vocational Pathway Primary Industries sector;
2. 8 credits at NCEA Level 1 in English

If you don't meet the academic criteria above, we have a range of Foundation and Bridging Education programmes which will help you prepare for further academic study.

English requirements

If English is not your first language you will also need one or more of the following:

• Have achieved NCEA Level 3 and New Zealand University Entrance
• Be able to provide evidence you satisfy our criteria for existing English proficiency such as IELTS
• Have achieved at least one English proficiency outcome in the last two years

If you don't meet the English criteria above, we have a range of English Language programmes available, depending on your current level of ability.

If you don't meet these requirements, you may still apply under special or discretionary entrance.

For more information download the programme regulations:

Programme Regulations

Courses and timetables

For more details on the courses, please click on the course names below. Please note that our systems are updating with new course timetable information for 2022; please check back again soon.

Courses	Credits	Aim
Companion Animal Industry and Care (NSCI3775)	40 credits (0.333 EFTS)	To enable students to develop a theoretical and applied knowledge of husbandry of a range of companion animal species within an animal facility.
Companion Animal Industry and Care (Sem A) (NSCI3775-SA)	20.0 credits (0.167 EFTS)	To enable students to develop a theoretical and applied knowledge of husbandry of a range of companion animal species within an animal facility.
Companion Animal Industry and Care (Sem B) (NSCI3775-SB)	20.0 credits (0.167 EFTS)	To enable students to develop a theoretical and applied knowledge of husbandry of a range of companion animal species within an animal facility.
Introduction to Companion Animal Biology (NSCI3785)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	This course examines the basic biology, structure and function of companion animals as it relates to their day-to-day care.
Introduction to Companion Animal Biology (Sem A) (NSCI3785-SA)	7.5 credits (0.063 EFTS)	This course examines the basic biology, structure and function of companion animals as it relates to their day-to-day care.
Introduction to Companion Animal Biology (Sem B) (NSCI3785-SB)	7.5 credits (0.063 EFTS)	This course examines the basic biology, structure and function of companion animals as it relates to their day-to-day care.
Work Place Practices (NSCI3795)	15 credits (0.125 EFTS)	To enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to work place practices in animal facilities.
Work Place Practices (Sem A) (NSCI3795-SA)	7.5 credits (0.063 EFTS)	To enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to work place practices in animal facilities.
Work Place Practices (Sem B) (NSCI3795-SB)	7.5 credits (0.063 EFTS)	To enable students to apply theoretical knowledge to work place practices in animal facilities.

National Certificate in Animal Care Nz

Source: https://www.unitec.ac.nz/career-and-study-options/animal-management-and-welfare/new-zealand-certificate-in-animal-care-companion-animal

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