Bachelor of Counselling

CRICOS 114818K

About this course

The Bachelor of Counselling prepares students to work in a multi-disciplinary environment and significantly enhances their counselling, pastoral and spiritual foundations. Students form a vision of the counsellor that reflects both individual and relational work, supportive and intensive therapies, psychological competence, and theological congruence. The course requires a consistent commitment to supervision and personal and professional integration. 

The Bachelor of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association .

The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) is the largest professional association for registered counsellors in the country. Through the ACA members may received a journal, industry updates, access to local chapter meetings, access to accredited supervisors, and a host of professional development opportunities. Membership also gives clients the peace of mind that their counsellor is acting in accordance with a code of ethics and best practice.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 216 (24 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 7

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Delivered at

Australian College of Ministries
  • NSW
  • Domestic
Perth Bible College
  • WA
  • Domestic
  • International

Course Details

Admission to the Bachelor of Counselling requires:

  • An Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) of 65, or its equivalent (eg. OP ≤ 16); O
  • Satisfactorily completed an AQF 5 Diploma of Counselling (or equivalent) from an institution recognised by the Academic Board; OR
  • Mature Age and Special Entry Admission for those who have reached the age of 20. AND
  • satisfactorily completes a pre-enrolment interview with a relevant course advisor. 

 

English Proficiency

Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of at least 6.0 with no subtest below 5.5.

The Bachelor of Counselling requires the completion of 216 credit points (24 units) which shall include:

 

  • a major (54 credit points) in the sub-discipline of Counselling consisting of three units of counselling practicum and three units of counselling theory; AND
  • an additional sub-major (36 credit points) in the sub-discipline of Counselling;
  • a sub-major (36 credit points) in Pastoral Theology;
  • a sub-major (36 credit points) in either Biblical Studies or Theology or Christian Life and Ministry; 
  • additional units as required to complete the award from the suite of available SCD units.

 

All course units will be taken from Sydney College of Divinity Schedule of units of study coded within the 7100 series and above.

 

A major in the sub-discipline of Counselling requires 54 credit points from the sub-discipline, with not more than 18 credit points from 7100 series units. 

 

A sub-major in a discipline or sub-discipline requires 36 credit points from units assigned to that discipline or sub-discipline, including no more than 18 credit points from 7100 series units. 

Knowledge

Graduates will have: 

  • a deep and effective vision of themselves as counsellors. 
  • thorough theoretical knowledge in the discipline of counselling and its ethical practice. 
  • an ability to evaluate theoretical perspectives of counselling and associated peer-reviewed literature to select case-appropriate counselling practices. 

 

Skills

Graduates will have: 

  • specialised counselling skills to work with clients including those with high and complex needs. 
  • the ability to assess presenting issues and their causes and select from a range of therapeutic practices the appropriate interventions for specific client contexts. 
  • the ability to communicate effectively in a professional counselling context with both clients and peers. 

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will have the ability to: 

  • apply client spirituality into the counselling experience from an ethical perspective with a critical understanding of Christian worldviews. 
  • apply theological and professional reflection to organisational practice. 
  • apply innovative professional practice in counselling with diverse people in an unpredictable range of contexts. 
  • apply specialised skills for clients with relationship issues. 

 

Progress to Further Awards

Students who complete the Bachelor of Counselling may articulate into the Master of Counselling of the Sydney College of Divinity.

 

Exit Points

Students enrolled in the Bachelor of Counselling may exit with an Associate Degree of Counselling provided they have completed at least 144 credit points. 

Articulating students with an AQF 5 Diploma of Counselling from an institution approved by the Academic Board will receive 72 credit points in the Bachelor of Counselling.

 

Candidates from other institutions or with other awards may seek credit up to a maximum of 144 credit points in the Bachelor of Counselling.

 

Credit will be granted for units that are from an equivalent award or institution and have outcomes, content, demand hours, and assessment equivalent to that of units in the Bachelor of Counselling.

The Bachelor of Counselling is offered through the individual colleges and an application for admission must be made to the Registrar of the teaching institution. Not all majors and sub-majors are available at all Teaching Bodies. However, students may be able to complete a desired major or sub-major by completing units offered at another Teaching Body.

 

A student is designated as full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or the equivalent in a trimester. Sydney College of Divinity offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering Sydney College of Divinity awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

 

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