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

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Bachelor of Counselling

Help people with their mental health and emotional wellbeing. The program is designed to provide the skills to become a professionally accredited counsellor. You will be equipped with a wealth of counselling knowledge applicable to a variety of career pathways, as well as being taught skills to work ethically with clients who seek help.

In this program you will:

  • Explore counselling theories and skills, positive psychology, communication and relationships, family counselling and crisis intervention, grief and loss and cultural diversity
  • Choose electives to link with areas that will expand your career options
  • Learn with like-minded peers at either our Sunshine Coast or Moreton Bay campuses, delivered by blended learning

Location

CRICOS code

074094K

Entry threshold

50.00 50.00 ATAR/Rank
ATAR/Rank

Duration

3 years 3 years Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
Full-time or equivalent part-time Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.

Indicative fees

Indicative 2025 fees (A$)

A$14,476 - 2024 Fees CSP
CSP
A$25,000 Annual fee
Annual fee

QTAC code

011161 014361

Start

  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2

Start
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
  • Semester 1
  • Semester 2
Delivery mode
  • Blended Learning
Total courses
24
Total units
288
Duration
3 years 3 years
CRICOS code
074094K
UniSC program code
AR375
Program structure
Introductory courses (7) 84 units

CRM101 Introduction to Criminology
COU101 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
COU176 Group Processes and Practice
COU180 Therapeutic Communication Skills
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia

Developing and Graduate courses (13) 156 units

COU200 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications
COU265 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
COU300 Counselling for Crisis, Trauma and Loss
COU301 Positive Psychology for Counselling
COU361 Counselling Development and Supervision 1
COU362 Counselling Development and Supervision 2
COU363 Counselling Placement 1
COU364 Counselling Placement 2
COU381 Developmental and Family Counselling
PSY203 Introduction to Human Development
SCS225 Social Research
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SWK278 Ethics, Law and the Helping Professions

Elective courses (4) 48 units

Select 4 elective courses (48 units) from the undergraduate elective course options. Of these electives 1 course (12 units) must be developing or graduate level (200/300 coded).

Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all UniSC courses are available on every UniSC campus.

Study sequences

Entry requirements

For entry into most USC undergraduate degree programs, you need to have completed a minimum level of education similar to successful completion of Australian Year 12 with good grades.

Further studies, for example, a semester or more at college or university, can also be considered for entry and may give you credit transfer towards a degree.

Some examples of upper secondary qualifications and a guide to the minimum grades that USC will consider are listed here. These are minimum requirements and do not guarantee entry. Some programs may require higher grades. Alternative qualifications may also be considered on a case by case basis.

If your qualification (grouped by country) is not listed, send the qualification transcripts with your application form to the International Office for assessment.

English language requirements

You will also need to meet the English language requirements for this program. If you do not meet the minimum requirements, you may be able to enrol in our English Language Programs to reach the required level for most of UniSC’s programs (exceptions apply to non-standard English requirement programs).

Minimum entry threshold

Applicants must meet the minimum ATAR/Rank.

Location ATAR/Rank
Sunshine Coast 50.00
Moreton Bay 50.00
Recommended prior study
English
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
  • Successfully complete 288 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • Complete no more than 10 introductory level (100 coded) courses

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
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
  • Most courses are valued at 12 units unless otherwise specified
  • Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods which may include essays, seminar presentations, reports, in-class tests and examinations
  • As part of your UniSC program, you may apply to Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider
  • Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa
  • Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
Credit precedents
  • The profession of counselling is accredited by two peak professional associations in Australia; the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Both of these peak bodies endorse the Bachelor of Counselling at UniSC. Compliance with the training standards of ACA and PACFA is necessary to maintain endorsement. In regard to awarding course credit, the PACFA training standard (standard 4.2) states that no academic credit is allowed for the client contact and clinical supervision requirements which takes place during training. At UniSC, this pertains to two courses – COU363 and COU364 . However, given that COU361 and COU362 are co-requisites for COU363 and COU364 respectively, it includes them indirectly. E.g. you cannot enrol in COU363 without also studying its co-requisite, COU361 . Other courses (not placement related courses) in the program can be considered for credit.

CSP estimate
A$14,476 - 2024 Fees
Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
A$25,000