Graduate Certificate of Counselling
Blended learning – on-campus and digital learning
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.
Duration
1 year part-time
Intakes
Hawthorn (Semester 1) - View application and start dates
Study mode
- Part-time
2024 Start Dates
Course information in detail
- Course detail, course structure and units of study.
Course description
Course structure
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
Careers and graduate outcomes
- Career opportunities, course aims and objectives, graduate skills 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
- 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.

Graduate skills
- capable in their chosen professional, vocational or study areas
- entrepreneurial in contributing to innovation and development within their business, workplace or community
- effective and ethical in work and community situations
- adaptable and able to manage change
- aware of local and international environments in which they will be contributing (e.g. socio-cultural, economic, natural).
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
Pathways and scholarships
- Credit transfer, recognition of prior learning and scholarships.
Course fees and requirements
- Fees, entry requirements and non-year 12 entry.
Course fees
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
Entry requirements
How to apply
Round 1: 5pm, Thursday, 26 October 2023 (timely applications)