Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling)
Award abbreviation: BSocSc(Couns)
QTAC code: 011161
OP/Rank for 2010 entry: OP-17 / Rank-66
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Recommended prior study: English
Fee type 2010: Commonwealth supported places, visiting non-award domestic places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR373
CRICOS code: 057240B. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

Highlights

• 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

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 Requirements for field education.

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 Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia; Queensland Counsellors Association.

Program structure

Core courses

Select 2 courses from:
COR109 International Development Project B
COR110 Communication and Thought
COR111 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship

Introductory courses

5 required courses:
PSY100 Environment, Technology and Sustainability
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology A
SCS110 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS130 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS180 Introduction to Indigenous Australia

Advanced courses

10 required courses:
SCS263 Counselling for the Human Services Professional(24 units)
SCS264 Counselling Placement 1(24 units)
SCS265 Counselling Placement 2
SCS266 Counselling Theory and Practice
SCS276 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling
SCS278 Group Work
SCS281 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS285 Developmental and Family Counselling
SWK302 Health, Society and Culture
Plus select 1 course from:
SCS210 Community Development and Social Action
SCS290 Indigenous Australia and the State

Electives

Select 5 elective courses from any faculty (Arts and Social Sciences, Business or Science, Health and Education). Please note: it is strongly recommended that you choose at least 2 of the following as electives:

SCS210 Understanding Cultural Diversity
SCS286 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS290 Disability: Culture, Community and Change
SCS295 Understanding Cultural Diversity

Course substitution: the GO (Global Opportunities) Program

As part of your USC program, you may apply to participate in the GO Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider.

Program requirements and notes

1. No more than 10 introductory level courses are to be completed, including core courses.
2. Required introductory courses may count towards a major or minor.
3. No course may be counted towards more than one major or minor.
4. If you wish to take the Child Protective Practices Minor you must take the following electives: SCS172 Social Work and Human Service Practice, SCS277 Working with Families, SWK303 Complexity and Social Work: Policy and practice.
5. Electives may be used to complete an additional major or minor to supplement the required major.
6. An introductory level course has a number less than 200 in its course code. An advanced level course has a number greater than 200 and less than 400 in its course code.
7. Refer to related policies, rules, plans and procedures.
8. Refer to explanation of terms.
9. International students need to refer to the University's English language proficiency requirements.
10. Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
11. Refer to recommended enrolment patterns. For previous recommended enrolment patterns refer to the relevant archived Student Handbook.
12. Courses within this program are assessed using a variety of assessment methods including essays, seminar presentations, recorded role plays, practicum reviews, reports, journals, case study analyses, in-class tests, and examinations.

Requirements for field education

To complete this program you must successfully complete field education (ie SCS263 Gender and Culture and SCS264 Counselling Placement 1) for which you are required to obtain a Blue Card (issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian).

Your enrolment in field education will be conditional upon the following:

• your eligibility for a Blue Card at the time of the first enrolment in the program
• maintenance of that eligibility throughout the entire of the program
• acquisition of a Blue Card prior to commencement of field education.

In the event that you become ineligible for a Blue Card, at any time between the date of first enrolment and the date of completion of the program, you will not be able to complete the degree.

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.

Field education includes professional or clinical placements. You may be required to undertake these placements away from the campus at your own expense.

Enquiries

How to apply

Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Program Leader
Dr Kathryn Geldard
Tel: +61 7 5459 4978
Email: KGeldard@usc.edu.au

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