- 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 2012 entry: OP-18 / Rank-63
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 2012: 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.
If you wish to work in support roles with a broader intervention focus you should consider the Bachelor of Human Services, a three-year professional development program, or the Bachelor of Social Work, a four-year program. Both programs prepare you for a broad range of government and non-government roles in the field of social justice and community welfare.
Professional recognition
Graduates may become members of the Australian Community Workers Association; Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia; Queensland Counsellors Association.
Accreditation
This program is fully accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association.
Enquiries
- Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
- Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice
Program Leader
Neil Mellor
Tel: +61 7 5430 1265
Email: NMellor@usc.edu.au
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Complete 2 core courses, 15 required courses and 5 electives.
- 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 and 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
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Understanding Cultural Diversity
COR110 Counselling Placement 1
COR111 Counselling Placement 2
Introductory courses
5 required courses
PSY100 Health, Society and Culture
PSY101 Community Development and Social Action
SCS110 Communication and Thought
SCS130 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SCS180 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
Advanced courses
10 required courses
SCS263 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS264 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS265 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS266 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS276 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
SCS278 Counselling Placement 1
SCS281 Counselling Placement 2
SCS285 Counselling Theory and Practice
SWK302 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling
PLUS select 1 required course from:
SCS210 Group Work
SCS290 Ethics and Professional Practice
Elective courses
Select 5 elective courses 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
- Two (2) core courses:
Core courses (2)
Select 2 core courses from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| COR109 3D Design B | |||
| COR110 3D Design C | |||
| COR111 3D Design D |
Required courses (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY100 3D Design E - Internship/Professional Project | |||
| PSY101 3D Design F - Professional Portfolio | |||
| SCS110 Communication and Thought | |||
| SCS130 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship | |||
| SCS180 Environment, Technology and Sustainability |
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 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 |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS265 Introduction to Psychology A | |||
| SCS266 Introduction to Psychology B | |||
| SCS276 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change | |||
| SCS278 Introduction to Indigenous Australia | |||
| SCS281 Counselling for the Human Services Professional |
PLUS select 1 required course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS210 Counselling Theory and Practice | |||
| SCS290 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling |
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 level courses
- Two (2) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
Required courses (4)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS263 Group Work | |||
| SCS264 Ethics and Professional Practice | |||
| SCS285 Developmental and Family Counselling | |||
| SWK302 Indigenous Australia and the State |
Elective courses (2)
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288