Graduate Certificate of Counselling

The Graduate Certificate of Counselling provides students with training in the theory and practice of counselling.

The course is designed for students who are seeking to develop counselling skills for their current employment in fields such as nursing, social work, pastoral care and teaching.

Students are equipped with a range of counselling skills that can be applied across work settings, client types and cultural groups.

The Graduate Certificate of Counselling course provides students with training in the theory and practice of counselling. The course is available part-time in Australia, and full-time and part-time in Singapore.

The course best suits those students whose primary occupation is not counselling but for whom basic counselling skills are required. Students undertaking the Graduate Certificate might be looking to develop their counselling skills for their current employment in fields such as nursing, social work, pastoral care, and teaching. Students are taught a range of counselling skills that can be applied across work settings and client types. This course is offered in Singapore in collaboration with the Executive Counselling and Training Academy. It is available to Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents, holders of a valid Singapore dependant’s pass, and holders of a valid Singapore work permit .

Note: This program is not available for study to onshore international students studying on a student visa.

The postgraduate programs in Counselling are a nested suite consisting of three exit points: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters.

four core units (50 credit points).Maximum Academic CreditThe maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate of Counselling is 25 credit points (normally two units)

Units of study

PSC60001 Foundations of Counselling PSC60004 Ethics and Cultural Diversity for Counsellors PSC60009 Lifespan Development and Systemic Thinking PSC70008 Advanced Counselling

Executive Counselling and Training Academy students only

PSC60011 Professional Ethics and Supervision PSC60012 Specific Skills in Counselling PSC60013 Theories and Foundations of Counselling PSC60014 Counselling Processes and Interventions

* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.

A minimum three-year degree from an Australian university or approved equivalent. While no specific area of study is required as a prerequisite, it would be advantageous for students to have experience in human services, couple counselling or forensic settings.

The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

• exercise independent judgement relevant to counselling theory and practice in the field of human services counselling, couple counselling and forensic counselling
• initiate, plan, implement and evaluate basic counselling interventions with a range of client groups and presentations across the lifespan
• apply basic and more advanced skills to work therapeutically with a range of clients in human services and couple counselling contexts using counselling methods and techniques that are drawn from different evidence-based approaches, all of which emphasise the important role of assessment, empathy, the therapeutic relationship, ethical decision making and professional supervision
• reflect on, and take responsibility for, their own learning and self-management processes in relation to counselling work with clients that promotes self-reflection and the development as a professional counsellor in a human services, couple counselling or forensic context.

• capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
• entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
• effective and ethical in work and community situations
• adaptable and able to manage change
• aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural).