- Upgrade existing knowledge and skills in the counselling arena
- 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
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 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.
Admission requirements
Please refer to the English language entry requirements.
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.
- When enrolling, refer to the [TabLink top Study Plan]Study Plan.
Program structure
Core courses
Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 The English Language
COR110 Reading Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Writing
COR111 Dimensions of Learner Engagement
Introductory courses
5 required courses
PSY100 Secondary Professional Learning 2: Managing the Diverse Learning
PSY101 Teaching and Learning in English: Curriculum A
SCS110 History Teaching: Curriculum A
SCS130 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Perspectives in Learning and Teaching
SCS180 Responding to Diversity and Inclusion
Advanced courses
10 required courses
SCS263 Secondary Professional Learning 3: Diversity and Inclusion
SCS264 The Psychology of Learning
SCS265 Secondary Literacy and Numeracy Across the Curriculum
SCS266 Secondary Assessment and Reporting
SCS276 Using Data for Learning
SCS278 Secondary Professional Learning 4: The Professional Empowered and Engaged
SCS281 Communication and Thought
SCS285 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
SWK302 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PLUS select 1 required course from:
SCS210 Cell Biology
SCS290 Introduction to Behavioural Health
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 Strategic Management | |||
| COR110 International Business Law and Ethics | |||
| COR111 Managing Across Global Cultures |
Required courses (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY100 Management Informatics | |||
| PSY101 Managing People | |||
| SCS110 Accounting for Managers | |||
| SCS130 Managing Organisations | |||
| SCS180 Managing Research |
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 Marketing in an International Environment | |||
| SCS266 Global Business Management | |||
| SCS276 Corporate Governance, Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility | |||
| SCS278 Food Marketing | |||
| SCS281 Communication and Thought |
PLUS select 1 required course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS210 Secondary Professional Learning 1: Transitioning into the Profession | |||
| SCS290 Introduction to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Education |
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 Introduction to Creative Writing | |||
| SCS264 The English Language | |||
| SCS285 Teaching and Learning in English: Curriculum B | |||
| SWK302 History Teaching: Curriculum B |
Elective courses (2)
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288