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

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Bachelor of Counselling / Human Services

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.

In this program you will:

  • 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

Location

CRICOS code

096001E

Entry threshold

50.00 ATAR/Rank
ATAR/Rank

Duration

4 years 4 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$11,716 - 2023 Fees CSP
CSP
A$24,800 / A$99,200 Annual fee / Estimated total fee
Annual fee / Estimated total fee

QTAC code

014371

Start

  • Semester 1

Start
  • Semester 1
Delivery mode
  • Blended Learning
Total courses
32
Total units
384
Duration
4 years 4 years
CRICOS code
096001E
UniSC program code
AR303
Program structure
Introductory courses (9) 108 units

CRM101 Healthy Brain Ageing
COU101 Neurocognition and Mental Health
COU176 Stress-related Disorders #
COU180 Lifestyle Factors and Mental Health #
SCS101 Introduction to Criminology
SCS110 Theories of Counselling: From Freud to Integrative Practice
SCS130 Group Processes and Practice
SWK100 Therapeutic Communication Skills
SWK172 Foundations of Human Behaviour

Developing and Graduate courses (18) 228 units

COU200 Australian Society: How does(n't) it work? - An Introduction to Sociology
COU265 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS225 Introduction to Social Work Practice Theories
SCS235 Introduction to Social Work and Human Services
SWK200 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy: Skills and Applications
SWK201 Strengths Based Counselling: Collaborative Approaches
SWK202 Social Research
SWK251 Social Justice, Welfare and the State
SWK277 Social Work Practice in Various Organisational Settings
SWK278 Human Services Placement 1
SWK286 Mental and Physical Health and Wellbeing
COU300 Working with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Peoples
COU301 Working With Children, Youth and Families
COU362 Ethics, Law and the Helping Professions
COU364 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
COU381 Counselling for Crisis, Trauma and Loss
SWK302 Positive Psychology for Counselling
SWK407 Counselling Development and Supervision 2

Elective courses (4) 48 units

Select 4 elective courses (48 units) (200, 300 or 400 coded) from the undergraduate elective course options.

As part of the 48 units (4 courses) Elective requirements students enrolled in AR303 Bachelor of Counselling/ Bachelor of Human Services are required to undertake COU361 and COU363 , which are both 12-unit courses, in place of 24-units (2 courses) of electives. If the additional placement courses are not completed, upon graduation students will not meet the requirements to be registered with PACFA

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
Moreton Bay 50.00

Additional entry information

Proficiency in the English language is required for entry to all programs and courses and any international or domestic applicant from a non-English speaking background must satisfy the University's standard and program specific English language requirements.

Recommended prior study
Completion of Year 12 or equivalent; English (Units 3 and 4, C)
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
  • Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
  • As part of the 48 units (4 courses) Elective requirements students enrolled in AR303 Bachelor of Counselling/ Bachelor of Human Services are required to undertake COU361 and COU363 , which are both 12-unit courses, in place of 24-units (2 courses) of electives. If the additional placement courses are not completed, upon graduation students will not meet the requirements to be registered with PACFA
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 UniSC 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.
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
WIL notes
  • It is a Queensland Government requirement that students undertaking a placement within a clinical setting are fit tested annually for an approved respirator. Clinical settings include hospitals, residential aged care facilities, residential disability care facilities, prison health services, youth detention health services, community health care settings, and vaccination clinics. If the Fit Testing requirement applies to placement activity within your Program, it will appear in your mandatory checks on Sonia Online. In accordance with Australian Standards, you must be clean shaven for your fit test. Facial hair that lies along the sealing surface of a tight-fitting respirator prevents an effective seal. Therefore, it is a requirement that there is no hair growth between the skin and the facepiece sealing surface in order to achieve a fit. At this stage, there is no exemption in Queensland to this requirement for religious or other reasons and UniSC is unable to waive this requirement.
  • It is no longer a requirement that students in Bachelor of Human Services are fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Please note that some placement host organisations have chosen to continue requiring COVID-19 vaccination. If you are not fully vaccinated, it is important to know that placement opportunities in your program may be limited and may result in a delay to your placement. UniSC still strongly recommends that all students undertaking placement are fully vaccinated and provide evidence of this vaccination status to the University.
  • For more information on mandatory requirements refer to Human Services - Placement.

CSP estimate
A$11,716 - 2023 Fees
Annual tuition fee (A$, 2025)
A$24,800
Estimated total tuition fee (A$, 2025)
A$99,200