- 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 Personality and Assessment
COR110 Psychology of Health and Wellbeing
COR111 Communication and Thought
Introductory courses
5 required courses
PSY100 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
PSY101 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS130 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS180 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
Advanced courses
10 required courses
SCS263 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS264 Counselling for the Human Services Professional
SCS265 Counselling Theory and Practice
SCS266 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling
SCS276 Group Work
SCS278 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS281 Developmental and Family Counselling
SCS285 Indigenous Australia and the State
SWK302 Understanding Cultural Diversity
PLUS select 1 required course from:
SCS210 Counselling Placement 1
SCS290 Counselling Placement 2
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 Adult Development and Ageing | |||
| COR110 Work Integrated Learning Project | |||
| COR111 Work Integrated Learning Placement |
Required courses (5)
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| PSY100 Communication and Thought | |||
| PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B | |||
| SCS110 Current Directions in Psychology | |||
| SCS130 Introduction to Psychology A | |||
| SCS180 Research Methods in Psychology B |
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 Social Psychology | |||
| SCS266 Motivation and Emotion | |||
| SCS276 Research Methods in Psychology A | |||
| SCS278 Physiological Psychology | |||
| SCS281 Introduction to Human Development |
PLUS select 1 required course from:
| Course | Semester of offer | Units | Requisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| SCS210 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology | |||
| SCS290 Human Associative Learning |
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 Abnormal Psychology | |||
| SCS264 Adult Development and Ageing | |||
| SCS285 Advanced Methods in Psychology | |||
| SWK302 Intercultural and Indigenous Psychologies |
Elective courses (2)
Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).
TOTAL UNITS 288