Help others improve their wellbeing and create positive change in their lives.
In everyday life, the challenges people face are shaped by the society around us, as well as the internal factors that influence individual behaviour and personality. Through integrated studies in the fields of human services and counselling, this program equips you with the skills and knowledge to understand the causes of personal and social problems, and to create positive change in people’s lives.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * Subject to to final PACFA and APAC accreditation approval
- * Subject to to final PACFA and APAC accreditation approval
In everyday life, the challenges people face are shaped by the society around us, as well as the internal factors that influence individual behaviour and personality. Through integrated studies in the fields of human services and counselling, this program equips you with the skills and knowledge to understand the causes of personal and social problems, and to create positive change in people’s lives.
- Learn about the nature of contemporary Australian society, including social welfare, community development, social justice, cultural diversity and mental health
- Gain an in-depth understanding of contemporary human services practice, including its grounding in critical, anti-oppressive and ethical approaches to practice with individuals, families, groups and communities
- Develop a thorough understanding of counselling theories and skills, and how to use them in diverse and multicultural workplaces and communities
- Build skills in cognitive behaviour therapy, personal and relational empathy, positive psychology, family counselling and responding to crisis, trauma and loss
- Complete two 250-hour professional placements in human services agencies, working with multidisciplinary teams across a range of counselling and other roles
Career opportunities
A wide range of government and non-government human services including community health, telephone counselling, working with individuals, families and groups, disability support, government departments, youth work, welfare work, child protection, corrections, aged services, community development, mental health, administration of counselling services, community corrections and justice, and more.
Accreditation
This program is designed to meet the national accreditation requirements for the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), and the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
Note: Subject to final accreditation approval.
The program includes two professional placements. The Counselling placement meets the requirements of the Australian counselling associations, and the Human Services placement is designed to meet the requirements of the Australian Community Workers Association.
Program structure
COR109 Research Design: Method and Literature Review
Counselling courses
Introductory courses (3)
COU101 Infant Care
COU176 Leadership in Clinical Practice
COU180 Midwifery in a Social Context
Advanced courses (7)
COU200 Independent Study
COU265 Research in Health Care
COU300 Neonatal, Paediatric and Child Health Care
COU301 Quantitative Research Methods
COU362 Qualitative Research: Approaches and Practice
COU364 Learning and Teaching in the Practice Environment
COU381 Professional Internship
Human Services courses
Introductory courses (4)
SCS101 Special Project: Evaluating Practice Knowledge
SCS110 Special Project: Translating Knowledge into Practice
SCS130 Research Project A
SWK172 Research Project B
Advanced courses (12)
SCS201 Research Project C
SCS225 Research Project F
SCS235 Communication and Thought
SCS251 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
SCS273 Group Processes and Practice
SCS290 Introductory Counselling Skills
SWK277 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications
SWK278 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
SWK285 Counselling for Crisis, Trauma and Loss
SWK302 Positive Psychology for Counselling
SWK303 Counselling Development and Supervision 2
SWK407 Counselling Placement 2
Elective courses (4)
Select 1 elective course from List A:
SCS230 Developmental and Family Counselling
SCS210 Foundations of Human Behaviour
CRM101 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
JST101 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
BUS104 Social Work and Human Services Practice
Select 1 elective course from List B:
SCS295 International Community Development and Global Justice
SWK286 Social Research
CRM101 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
JST101 Working Effectively with Aboriginal People
BUS104 Human Services Placement 1
GEO310 Understanding Cultural Diversity
Select 1 elective course from List C:
SWK402 Working With Children, Youth and Families
CRM303 Ethical Practice in the Helping Professions
HRM311 Health & Mental Health in Australia
SCS210 Community Development and Social Action
Select 1 elective course (200, 300 or 400 coded) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law) or (Science, Health, Education and Engineering)
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
Program notes
- Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses) and following the recommended study sequence
- 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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
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In order to commence field education placement you must:
- Hold a valid 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