- Learn to help people improve their emotional wellbeing
- Apply counselling skills during two field education placements
- Potential entry point for work in child protection
Program summary
Program title: Bachelor of Counselling
Award abbreviation: BCouns
QTAC code: 011161
OP / Rank for 2013 entry: OP-18 / Rank-62
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check, Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG)
Fee type 2013: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR375
CRICOS code: 074094K. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
Work as a professional in the fields of human services, social justice and community welfare, helping others through counselling.
This program equips you with knowledge and skills for counselling in the human services industry. Courses present a contemporary approach to counselling based on ethical and professional conduct. You are introduced to a range of counselling theories and practices, including specialist areas such as trauma, crisis and bereavement counselling. You also undertake professional placements in human services agencies with qualified counsellors.
Post-admission requirements
You are required to complete two field education placements at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) is required, refer to Program requirements.
Career opportunities
Counselling (families, individuals and groups), welfare work, youth work, aged services, child protection, police and correctional services, disability services.
Professional recognition
Graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA); Australian Community Workers Association or any counselling membership association approved by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
Accreditation
This program is fully accredited with PACFA and with the Australian Community Workers Association. It is undergoing accreditation with the ACA.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice
Program Leader
Dr Ann Moir-Bussy
Tel:+61 7 5456 5068
Email: amoirbussy@usc.edu.au
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses.
- Complete 5 required introductory (100 level) courses.
- Complete 10 required advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Complete 5 elective courses, 2 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
- Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SCS263 and SCS264 ).
- Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses, including core courses.
- Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
- Register any selected Majors or Minors with Student Administration.
In order to commence field education placement you must:
- Hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), throughout the duration of your program, which is issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian (CCYPCG). You should allow 12 weeks for CCYPCG to issue the card. Note: students who do not possess a valid Blue Card will be unable to complete the field education component of their program and will be unable to meet graduation requirements.
- Have a National Criminal History check (by Queensland Police Service or other state/territory authority).
- Travel to attend field education placements.
- Please note, while all endeavours will be made to place students in a given semester, this is not guaranteed and students may need to enrol at a later time should a position in an agency be unavailable in the preferred semester.
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
- Electives may be used to complete and additional major or minor to supplement the required major.
- Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations. Not all courses will necessarily include all methods.
- As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
- Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
- Refer to the English language requirements.
- When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.
Program structure
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109
COR110
COR111
Introductory courses (5)
5 required courses:
PSY100
PSY101
SCS110
SCS130
SCS180
Advanced courses (10)
10 required courses
SCS263 (24 units)
SCS264 (24 units)
SCS265
SCS266
SCS276
SCS278
SCS281
SCS285
SWK302
PLUS select 1 course from:
SCS210
SCS290
Elective courses (5)
Select 5 elective courses, 2 must be advanced (200/300 level) courses.
Up to 5 electives may be from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288
Study Plan
The Bachelor of Counselling Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.
Year 1
One core course should be studied in your first semester and one in your second semester
Required courses (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY100 | |||
| SCS180 | |||
| PSY101 | |||
| SCS110 | |||
| SCS130 |
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 | |||
| COR110 | |||
| COR111 |
Elective courses (1)
Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 2
- Six (6) required advanced (200/300 level) courses
- Two (2) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Required courses (6)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS266 | |||
| SCS278 | |||
| SCS265 | |||
| SCS276 | |||
| SCS281 |
PLUS select 1 required course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS210 | |||
| SCS290 |
Elective courses (2)
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Year 3
- Four (4) required advanced (200/300 level) courses
- Two (2) advanced (200/300 level) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Required courses (4)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS263 | |||
| SCS264 | |||
| SCS285 | |||
| SWK302 |
Elective courses (2)
Select 2 advanced (200/300 level) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288