Bachelor of Counselling | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Counselling

  • 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 Counselling Placement 1
COR110 Counselling Placement 2
COR111 Health, Society and Culture

Introductory courses (5)

5 required courses:
PSY100 Community Development and Social Action
PSY101 Communication and Thought
SCS110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SCS130 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCS180 Introduction to Psychology A

Advanced courses (10)

10 required courses
SCS263 Introduction to Psychology B(24 units)
SCS264 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change(24 units)
SCS265 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS266 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
SCS276 Counselling Placement 1
SCS278 Counselling Placement 2
SCS281 Counselling Theory and Practice
SCS285 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling
SWK302 Group Work
PLUS select 1 course from:
SCS210 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS290 Developmental and Family Counselling

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
Five (5) required introductory (100 level) courses
  • Two (2) core courses:
    One core course should be studied in your first semester and one in your second semester
  • One (1) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
  • Required courses (5)
    CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
    PSY100 Research Project
    SCS180 Managerial Project - Part A
    PSY101 Managerial Project - Part B
    SCS110 Industry Research Project
    SCS130 Introduction to Psychology A
    Core courses (2)

    Select 2 core courses from:

    CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
    COR109 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
    COR110 Introduction to Psychology B
    COR111 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
    Elective courses (1)

    Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

    Year 2
    Required courses (6)
    CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
    SCS266 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
    SCS278 Communication and Thought
    SCS265 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
    SCS276 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
    SCS281 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling

    PLUS select 1 required course from:
    CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
    SCS210 Ethics and Professional Practice
    SCS290 Counselling Theory and Practice
    Elective courses (2)

    Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

    Year 3
    Required courses (4)
    CourseSemester of offerUnitsRequisites
    SCS263 Group Work
    SCS264 Developmental and Family Counselling
    SCS285 Indigenous Australia and the State
    SWK302 Understanding Cultural Diversity

    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

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