Bachelor of Counselling / Bachelor of Human Services | UniSC | University of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia

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Bachelor of Counselling / Bachelor of Human Services

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.

Study location
  • Sippy Downs
Refer to the program footnotes
CRICOS code
096001E
Commence
Semester 1
Program length (full-time)
4 years
Annual tuition fee 2018
A$22,600
Estimated total tuition fee *
A$90,400
Footnotes
  • 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 2023 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
Study location QTAC code
  • Sunshine Coast 011251
Minimum selection threshold
OP - 18 Rank - 61
UniSC program code
AR303
Commence
Semester 1
Duration
4 years full time or equivalent part time
Study mode
Blended Learning
Recommended prior study
Completion of Year 12 or equivalent
Other requirements
Proficiency in the English language is required for entry to all programs and courses and any international or domestic applicant from a non-English speaking background must satisfy the University's standard and program specific English language requirements.
Fee type 2018
  • Commonwealth supported places
Total courses
32
Total units
384
Footnotes
  • * 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

Introductory courses (1) 12 units

COR109

Counselling courses

Introductory courses (3) 36 units

COU101
COU176
COU180

Developing and Graduate courses (7) 84 units

COU200
COU265
COU300
COU301
COU362
COU364
COU381

Human Services courses

Introductory courses (4) 48 units

SCS101
SCS110
SCS130
SWK172

Developing and Graduate courses (12) 156 units

SCS201
SCS225
SCS235
SCS251
SCS273 (24 units)
SCS290
SWK277
SWK278
SWK285
SWK302
SWK303
SWK407

Elective courses (4) 48 units

Select 1 elective course (12 units) from List A:
SCS230 Diversity, Crime and Justice
SCS210 Applied Crime Prevention
CRM101 Issues in Crime and Criminal Justice
JST101 Professional Ethics and Integrity Management
BUS104 Criminal Law: An Introduction

Select 1 elective course (12 units) from List B:
SCS295 Social Research
SWK286 Criminal Profiling
CRM101 Homicide
JST101 Youth Justice
BUS104 Restorative Justice and Mediation
GEO310 Professional Placement

Select 1 elective course (12 units) from List C:
SWK402 Crime Research Methods
CRM303 International Justice and Human Rights
HRM311 Communication and Thought
SCS210 Human Development and Learning

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

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.
  • 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