Graduate Certificate of Counselling | International Student Courses | Swinburne University

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The Graduate Certificate of Counselling provides students with training in the theory and practice of counselling. The course is designed for students who are seeking to develop counselling skills for their current employment in fields such as nursing, social work, pastoral care and teaching. Students are equipped with a range of counselling skills that can be applied across work settings, client types and cultural groups.

Every international student application is considered for a scholarship
Whether you’re living in Australia or overseas, you’re automatically considered for a scholarship of up to 20% off your course fees. Please check our updated entry requirements.

Duration

6 Month/s

Fees

Contact Executive Counselling and Training Academy*

The indicative course fees shown in Course Search apply to international students for the relevant year only. They are based on a standard study load per year. However, please note that fees are assessed according to a student's study load in each semester, and variation to study load will result in an adjustment to tuition fees. All fees are subject to annual review and may be adjusted.

Course information in detail

- Course detail, course structure and units of study.

Course description

The Graduate Certificate of Counselling course provides students with training in the theory and practice of counselling. The course is available part-time in Australia, and full-time and part-time in Singapore.

The course best suits those students whose primary occupation is not counselling but for whom basic counselling skills are required. Students undertaking the Graduate Certificate might be looking to develop their counselling skills for their current employment in fields such as nursing, social work, pastoral care, and teaching. Students are taught a range of counselling skills that can be applied across work settings and client types.

This course is offered in Singapore in collaboration with the Executive Counselling and Training Academy. It is available to Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents, holders of a valid Singapore dependant’s pass, and holders of a valid Singapore work permit.

Note: This program is not available for study to onshore international students studying on a student visa.

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Course structure

The postgraduate programs in Counselling are a nested suite consisting of three exit points: Graduate Certificate, Graduate Diploma and Masters.

To qualify for the award of Graduate Certificate of Counselling, students must complete 50 credit points comprising four core units (50 credit points).

Maximum Academic Credit
The maximum level of credit that can be granted for the Graduate Certificate of Counselling is 25 credit points (normally two units)

Units of study

Hawthorn on-campus students

PSC60001 Foundations of Counselling *

PSC60004 Ethics and Cultural Diversity for Counsellors *

PSC60009 Lifespan Development and Systemic Thinking
PSC70008 Advanced Counselling *

Singapore

Executive Counselling and Training Academy students only

PSC60011 Professional Ethics and Supervision

PSC60012 Specific Skills in Counselling *

PSC60013 Theories and Foundations of Counselling *

PSC60014 Counselling Processes and Interventions *

* Outcome units - matched exemptions are generally not granted for higher education outcome units.

Careers and graduate outcomes

- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives and professional recognition.

Career opportunities

Graduates may work in a range of professional settings, including community and mental health, private practice, social work, grief counselling, pastoral care and mediation.

Aims and objectives

Students who successfully complete this course will be able to:

exercise independent judgement relevant to counselling theory and practice in the field of human services counselling, couple counselling and forensic counselling
initiate, plan, implement and evaluate basic counselling interventions with a range of client groups and presentations across the lifespan
apply basic and more advanced skills to work therapeutically with a range of clients in human services and couple counselling contexts using counselling methods and techniques that are drawn from different evidence-based approaches, all of which emphasise the important role of assessment, empathy, the therapeutic relationship, ethical decision making and professional supervision
reflect on, and take responsibility for, their own learning and self-management processes in relation to counselling work with clients that promotes self-reflection and the development as a professional counsellor in a human services, couple counselling or forensic context.

Professional recognition

May be eligible to apply for membership to the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), PACFA, and the Australian Association for Relationship Counsellors.

The Swinburne experience

- Study abroad.

Study abroad opportunities

May be eligible to apply for membership to the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), PACFA, and the Australian Association for Relationship Counsellors.

Course fees and requirements

- Fees, entry requirements and English language requirements.

Course fees

Contact Executive Counselling and Training Academy*

Entry requirements

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic) can now be done on campus in Hawthorn at Room 132, Building TD. Book now or call +61 3 9214 3584 for more information.

Degree and/or experience

Completion of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate degree or approved equivalent. While no specific area of study is required as a prerequisite, it would be advantageous for students to have experience in human services, couple counselling or forensic settings. Selection is based on an interview and the applicant’s suitability for the program as determined by academic and work experience, referee reports, and the stated reasons for wishing to undertake the program. Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit. Applicants without a formal qualification but with significant and relevant work experience will be considered if they can demonstrate that they can undertake the course with a reasonable prospect of success. The University may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Working with Children Check

All students studying this course in Australia will be required to submit a current Working with Children Check and Police Check.

NDIS Worker Screening Check

Students enrolled in this course may be required to apply for and receive an acceptable National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Worker Screening Check prior to commencing placement with an NDIS provider. The relevant fee is the responsibility of the student.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65%
Or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.

How to apply

This program is only available in Singapore to Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents, holders of a valid Singapore dependant's pass, and holders of a valid Singapore work permit.

Application forms are available from the Executive Counselling and Training Academy, Singapore.

Find out more

Prospective applicants residing in Singapore should contact:

Executive Counselling and Training Academy Pte Ltd
210 Middle Road
#07-02 Singapore Pools Building
Singapore 188994

Tel: +65 6346 6411

Fax: +65 6334 2911
Email: info@ecta.edu.sg