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 2024 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 accreditation approval
- * Subject to to final PACFA 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); and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
Program structure
Introductory courses (1) 12 units
COR109 Questioning History: Explorations in the Thinking and Practice of History
Counselling courses
Introductory courses (3) 36 units
COU101 Research Methods in Psychology B
COU176 Social Psychology
COU180 Motivation and Emotion
Developing and Graduate courses (7) 84 units
COU200 Cognitive and Perceptual Psychology
COU265 Human Associative Learning
COU300 Abnormal Psychology
COU301 Adult Development and Ageing
COU362 Sustainability Project
COU364 Community Development and Social Action
COU381 Complexity and Social Work: Group-Based Approaches
Human Services courses
Introductory courses (4) 48 units
SCS101 Foundations of Australian Law B
SCS110 Planning and Environmental Law
SCS130 Public Space Planning and Design - Studio II
SWK172 Regional Transformation: political and economic geographies
Developing and Graduate courses (12) 156 units
SCS201 Participation and Conflict Resolution
SCS225 Community and Primary Health Care
SCS235 Simulation in Practice Education
SCS251 Infant Care
SCS273 Professional Internship(24 units)
SCS290 Independent Study
SWK277 Assessment in Mental Health
SWK278 Advanced Health Assessment
SWK285 Health Promotion Implementation and Evaluation
SWK302 Health Promotion Assessment and Planning
SWK303 Performance Skills Laboratory 1
SWK407 Dramatic Languages
Elective courses (4) 48 units
Select 1 elective course (12 units) from List A:
SCS230 Performance Skills Laboratory 2
SCS210 Applied Performance
CRM101 Devising Performance: Community Engagement
JST101 Trends in Twentieth Century Theatre
BUS104 Introduction to Screenwriting: The Art of Visual Storytelling
Select 1 elective course (12 units) from List B:
SCS295 Directing Performance: Contemporary Perspectives
SWK286 Physical Theatre
CRM101 Theatre Production
JST101 Theatre Internship
BUS104 The ' English' Tradition: An Introduction to Literary Studies
GEO310 Event Management
Select 1 elective course (12 units) from List C:
SWK402 Performance Skills Laboratory 1
CRM303 Dramatic Languages
HRM311 Performance Skills Laboratory 2
SCS210 Applied Performance
Select 1 elective course (12 units) (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
- The unit value of all courses is 12 units unless otherwise specified
- It is each students responsibility to enrol correctly according to your course requisites, program rules and requirements and be aware of the academic calendar dates
- 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.
- Refer to the Managing your progression page for help in understanding your program structure, reviewing your progress and planning remaining courses.
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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