Help others improve their wellbeing and create positive change in their lives.
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.
- Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student visa. Online programs are not available to Student visa holders.
- * Estimated tuition fees are based on 2025 rates. Refer to international fees for more information.
- Not all majors/minors and elective options are available at every campus. You should refer to the What Can I Study tab, and the proposed study sequence for your chosen campus and intake for further information.
- * Subject to to final PACFA and APAC accreditation approval
- * Subject to to final PACFA and APAC accreditation approval
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.
- 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
Career opportunities
A wide range of government and non-government human services including community health, telephone counselling, working with individuals, families and groups, disability support, government departments, youth work, welfare work, child protection, corrections, aged services, community development, mental health, administration of counselling services, community corrections and justice, and more.
Accreditation
This program is designed to meet the national accreditation requirements for the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), and the Australian Community Workers Association (ACWA).
Note: Subject to final accreditation approval.
The program includes two professional placements. The Counselling placement meets the requirements of the Australian counselling associations, and the Human Services placement is designed to meet the requirements of the Australian Community Workers Association.
Program structure
COR109 Communication and Thought
Counselling courses
Introductory courses (3)
COU101 Exploring Twentieth Century Theatre
COU176 Introduction to the Creative Industries
COU180 Grammars of Design
Advanced courses (7)
COU200 Acting 1: The actor's craft
COU265 Directing Performance: Contemporary Perspectives
COU300 Imagined Homelands: An Exploration of Australian Literature
COU301 Performance 2
COU362 Introduction to Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling
COU364 Physical Theatre
COU381 Acting 2: Contemporary Shakespeare
Human Services courses
Introductory courses (4)
SCS101 Devising Performance
SCS110 Theatre Production
SCS130 Industry Internship 1: Communication, Creativity and Design
SWK172 Creativity, Design and Communication Project
Advanced courses (12)
SCS201 Exploring Business Research
SCS225 Discovering Management
SCS235 Marketing Essentials
SCS251 Accounting for Business
SCS273 Introduction to Informatics
SCS290 Communication and Thought
SWK277 The World of Tourism, Leisure and Events
SWK278 Introduction to Economics
SWK285 World of Events
SWK302 Sustainable Tourism, Leisure and Event Management
SWK303 Cross-Cultural Management
SWK407 Business Law and Ethics
Elective courses (4)
Select 1 elective course from List A:
SCS230 World of Work: Your Pathway to Employment
SCS210 Business, Governance and Society
CRM101 Tourism, Leisure and Sport Policy and Planning
JST101 The Innovation and Technology Effect in TLEM
BUS104 The Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions (M.I.C.E) Industry
Select 1 elective course from List B:
SCS295 Introduction to Criminology
SWK286 Foundations of Australian Law A
CRM101 Criminal Law and Procedure A
JST101 Foundations of Human Behaviour
BUS104 Understanding Crime
GEO310 Punishment and Corrections
Select 1 elective course from List C:
SWK402 Foundations of Australian Law B
CRM303 Criminal Law and Procedure B
HRM311 Professional Development
SCS210 Torts A
Select 1 elective course (200, 300 or 400 coded) from either faculty (Arts, Business and Law) or (Science, Health, Education and Engineering)
Note: Program structures are subject to change. Not all USC courses are available on every USC campus.
Total units: 384
Recommended study sequences
Program requirements and notes
Program requirements
In order to graduate you must:
- Successfully complete 384 units as outlined in the Program Structure
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
- 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 Study Overseas to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues
- Refer to the Planning your study page to manage your progression
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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