CMI course

MagicSean

I've been looking at this course and was wondering if the accreditation would be worth much.

http://www.cmi-ireland.com/csi-forensics-criminology-courses

Kilroys College

Hi MagicSean,

The course that you are interested leads to a FETAC Level 5 component certificate award. FETAC is the national awards system for all further education & training in Ireland. HOWEVER it is being replaced by CAS (Common Awards System) and will replace all FETAC Level 5 awards by January 2013. All of the "old" FETAC awards will be deactivated (see www.fetac.ie for specific deactivation dates) and replaced by "new" CAS awards.

This will effect you if you decide to enrol on the course you mentioned in your post in 2012. If you complete the course by 31st December 2012 and obtain your component certificate there will be a big condition attached to using it as a credit towards a major/special purpose award should you wish to continue your studies. It will only be valid until December 2014. From January 2015 only the "new" CAS components may be used to achieve common awards. Learners will NOT be able to use existing or previously awarded components towards a common major or special purpose award after that date.

You should check to see if the provider has had their course re-validated with FETAC as a CAS component. If they have I strongly advise that you wait to enrol on the "new" CAS course until January 2013. If they have not I would advise you to enrol with an alternative provider on the CAS component certificate course instead.

Best of luck in your studies.

Lisa

MagicSean

Thanks for the info. I looked into the points you raised and have decided to hold off on the course. Seems there'll be a lot of people needing to redo their FETAC courses over the next few years. Quite the money spinner.