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.
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); and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
Program structure
Introductory courses (9) 108 units
CRM101 Research Methods in Psychology B
COU101 Physiological Psychology
COU176 Introduction to Human Development
COU180 Social Psychology
SCS101 Motivation and Emotion
SCS110 Advanced Methods in Psychology
SCS130 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
SWK100 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies
SWK172 Personality and Assessment
Developing and Graduate courses (19) 240 units
COU200 Human Associative Learning
COU265 Abnormal Psychology
SCS225 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
SCS235 Adult Development and Ageing
SWK200 Introduction to Criminology
SWK201 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
SWK202 Group Processes and Practice
SWK251 Introductory Counselling Skills
SWK277 Foundations of Human Behaviour
SWK278 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
SWK286 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
COU300 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
COU301 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
COU362 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications
COU364 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
COU381 Social Research
SWK302 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK306 Organisations: Communication Skills for Practice
SWK407 Human Services Placement 1
Elective courses (3) 36 units
Select 3 elective courses (36 units) (200, 300 or 400 coded) from the undergraduate elective course options.
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
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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.
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
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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