Bachelor of Counselling

This course provides fundamental training in counselling, focusing on ethical practice, cultural diversity, and essential counselling skills. Students explore reflective practice, mental health insights, trauma-informed approaches, and diverse counselling theories which provide a comprehensive educational experience and prepare you for a fulfilling career in counselling.

Accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA)

About ACAP: The Australian College of Applied Professions (ACAP) is a nationally registered training organisation and institute of higher education with over 40 years in experience in delivering accredited vocational education and training and higher education courses. We build knowledge that’s useful, usable and applicable to real-life solutions and real-world change. Our deep understanding of people and our human-centred teaching philosophy helps develop the enterprise skills that students require in the real world to ensure a healthy career and ongoing career success.

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Includes full course details

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On-Campus / Blended

Next Intake - May 2024

Available at Melbourne, Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Byron Bay, Adelaide

3 Years (full time)/Part Time Equivalent

24 units

Payment Options & FEE-HELP Available

Course Summary

Duration

3 Years (full time)/Part Time Equivalent

Units

24 units

Embark on a comprehensive journey in counselling with the Bachelor of Counselling, offering a versatile and all-encompassing approach to theoretical, experiential, and skill-based learning. Designed to prepare students for contemporary counselling careers, this program equips individuals with strategies to support diverse populations, including individuals, couples, families, and groups. Emphasising the influence of cultural and social-political contexts, students engage in small-group learning environments available on-campus, online, and through blended delivery of nine specialised counselling units.

Delivered by esteemed academic professionals, the course ensures quality curriculum and is accredited by reputable bodies including the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), and holds accreditation under the self-accrediting authority of the Navitas Professional Institute (NPI).

What you'll learn:

The Bachelor of Counselling program offers a comprehensive exploration into various key areas, providing expertise in human behavior as the foundation for professional practice. Throughout this program, students delve into applied focuses essential for contemporary counselling:

Professional Reflection and Self-Care
Mental Health and Wellness
Trauma Informed Counselling Practices
Counselling Skills Training
Counselling Theory
Grief and Loss Counselling
Lifespan Development
Counselling and Neuroscience
Family and Relationship Counselling
Counselling Children and Youth

Assessment:
Assessment methods vary for each unit and may encompass a range of formats such as reports, formal essays, critical reflections, group work, practical sessions, and supervised work placements.

Volunteering and Placement:

Volunteering:

Students are required to complete 90 hours of volunteering before undertaking placement in the final year.
Additionally, a 50-hour service learning project in a community group is a core unit requirement.

Placement:

In the final year, students must undertake a 200-hour student placement, involving 40 hours of face-to-face client counselling.
The placement occurs one to two days per week across two trimesters.

Further Study:
Graduates of the Bachelor of Counselling are eligible for direct entry into advanced programs such as the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy or Master of Social Work (Qualifying). Aspiring coaches can also choose to focus their studies on coaching by undertaking International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited units available within the course curriculum.

Course Detail

Experience the transformative realm of the Bachelor of Counselling, where compassion meets expertise and empowerment finds its voice. This dynamic program invites passionate individuals to immerse themselves in a comprehensive exploration of the art and practice of counselling. Beyond its fundamental role in guiding individuals, families, and communities, counselling shapes perspectives and breaks barriers. This meticulously designed program aims to equip you with the skills to become a compassionate advocate and storyteller in the ever-evolving field of counselling.

At Upskilled, we recognise the unique aspirations of future counsellors like you. This dynamic course provides an engaging environment that fosters learning, collaboration, and hands-on application of counselling principles. Join today in this transformative course and become a catalyst for positive change in the lives of others.

Course Duration:

Full Time Duration - 3 Years
Get in touch with an education consultant for more information.

Part-time option available - up to 8 Years
If you want to take a little longer, that’s ok too. We’ll help you work out the best study load to suit your needs.

Industry work placement
This course includes 200 hours experience in a professional placement, with 40 hours of face-to-face client counselling. This placement is linked with two clinical supervision units over two consecutive trimesters. This course also includes 90 hours of volunteering which is completed before placement in the final year, and 50 hours of a service learning project in a community group as part of a core unit.

Recognition of Prior Learning/Credit

This course acknowledges the potential for students to receive credit for their prior studies or work experience, which could result in exemptions from specific units within the Bachelor of Counselling program. This recognition allows eligible students to expedite their qualification, completing the course in a shorter duration. It's important to note that applicants must be enrolled students before applying for Credit for Prior Learning. For more detailed information on Credit for Prior Learning and the application process, please refer to policy on recognition of prior learning and credit transfers.

Course Structure

The Bachelor of Counselling is broken up into three years and, each year consisting of three Trimesters designed to give you the best theoretical, experiential, and skills-based learning.

Year 1
First trimester
COUN1211 Professional Reflection and Self-Care
COUN1221 Mental Health and Wellness
MULT1015 Applications in Context
Second trimester
MULT1025 Professions and Society
COUN1231 Counselling Skills Training 1
COUN1251 Counselling Theory
Third trimester
MULT1035 Personal, Professional and Global Sustainability
COUN1271 Trauma Informed Counselling Practice 1
Year 2
First trimester
COUN2211 Counselling and Neuroscience
COUN2231 Lifespan Development
COUN2241 Grief and Loss Counselling
Second trimester
COUN2221 Counselling Skills Training 2
COUN2261 Advanced Mental Health and Wellness
COUN2271 Trauma Informed Counselling Practice 2
Third trimester
COUN2301 Group Work Counselling
COUN2251 Service Learning for Counselling Preparation
Year 3
First trimester
COUN3211 Contemporary Counselling Orientations and Research
COUN3231 Counselling Skills Training 3
COUN3251 Counselling Children and Youth
Second trimester
COUN3311 Work Placement, Experience and Supervision 1
COUN3241 Counselling Theory Integration
Level 300 Elective 1
Third trimester
COUN3321 Work Placement, Experience and Supervision 2
Level 300 Elective 2

Completion

Entry requirements

Start date

Domestic students must meet the following criteria:

Participate in a screening interview (typically by phone though online can be arranged if required); and
Be 21 years or above at the date of commencement; or
Completion of a Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (or equivalent); or
Completion of a Certificate IV or above (or equivalent); or
Admission to an undergraduate degree at an Australian University (or equivalent)
It is a condition of progression in this course that students complete a national police record check in their first trimester of enrolment.

Payment Options

Course Fees

Indicative Annual Course Fee (Domestic) (1 .0 EFTSL**)

$21,360 AUD Year 1
$21,360 AUD Year 2
$21,360 AUD Year 3
Plus Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) up to $326 per year based on 1.0 EFTSL

Indicative Total Course Fee* (Domestic) (based on 3.0 EFTSL)

$64,080 AUD
Plus Student Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) of up to $978 based on 3.0 EFTSL

* The Indicative Total Course Fee & Indicative Annual Course Fees reflects that students are charged fees on a per unit basis and the fee for a unit may increase.

Speak to our Education Consultants to know more about Payments Options & FEE-HELP Availability.

Call 1300 009 924 to find out more.

Career outcomes

Students who successfully complete this qualification may be able to pursue a rewarding career in counselling.

Graduates of the Bachelor of Counselling will be well-equipped to provide professional counselling services in a range of areas including mental health and wellbeing, grief and loss, family and relationships, addictive behaviours and general counselling.

Further study
Graduates of the Bachelor of Counselling are eligible for direct entry into the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy or Master of Social Work (Qualifying).

Interested in Coaching?
You can undertake the International Coach Federation (ICF) accredited units available in this course to focus your studies on coaching.

Navitas Professional Institute Pty Ltd trading as Australian College of Applied Professions. TEQSA Provider Category: Institute of Higher Education, TEQSA Provider ID: PRV12009, National CRICOS Provider Code: 01328A, RTO: 0500, ABN: 94 057 495 299