Become equipped with a range of counselling knowledge and skills to work ethically and professionally with clients seeking help.
Studies present a traditional and contemporary approach to counselling. Courses include psychology, counselling theories and skills, cultural diversity and specialist areas such as family therapy and trauma and crisis counselling. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Counselling Association or any counselling membership association approved by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
- 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.
Studies present a traditional and contemporary approach to counselling. Courses include psychology, counselling theories and skills, cultural diversity and specialist areas such as family therapy and trauma and crisis counselling. Graduates are eligible for membership of the Australian Counselling Association or any counselling membership association approved by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
Post-admission requirements
Students must complete two internship placements at approved agencies. A Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG) is required — refer to Program requirements.
Career opportunities
Counselling individuals, families and groups, grief and loss, relationships, abuse, youth and adolescents, stress, trauma, addictions, mental health, welfare work, aged services, child protection and disability services.
Membership
Australian Counselling Association; Australian Community Workers Association; Queensland Counsellors Association; or any counselling membership association approved by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
Accreditation
Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia; Australian Community Workers Association; Australian Counselling Association
Program structure
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 Playing with Words : an Introduction to Creative Writing Craft
COR110 The English Language
COR111 Professional Experience: Orientation to the Profession
Introductory courses (5)
5 required courses:
COU101 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education
PSY100 Teaching Senior Secondary Arts
PSY101 Teaching Senior Secondary English
SCS130 Individual Learner Needs
SCS180 Professional Experience: Managing Learning Environments
Advanced courses (10)
10 required courses:
SCS225 Teaching Junior Secondary Arts
SCS263 Teaching Junior Secondary English(24 units)
SCS264 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching(24 units)
SCS265 Diversity and Inclusion
SCS266 Professional Experience: Individual Learner Needs
SCS276 The Psychology of Learning
SCS278 Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
SCS281 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
SCS285 Using Data for Learning
SCS290 Secondary Professional Learning: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
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