Postgraduate course
Graduate Diploma in Counselling
Avondale University
Courses included
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This course has been cancelled
About
The Graduate Diploma in Counselling is a 96 credit point course delivered at AQF Level 8, divided over 16 units (15 counselling units and one religious studies unit to meet Avondale's requirements as a Christian College of Higher Education). It provides students with both the experiential and theoretical foundation to function as professional counsellors in Australia. Posited in a Christian worldview, this supportive, two-year course emphasises the common factors essential to counselling, introduces various counselling methods, and builds basic and advanced counselling skills. The Graduate Diploma in Counselling also introduces students to research in the science of counselling and provides a one-year clinical placement. An application for accreditation of the course with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) is planned as the course is designed to meet the requirements of PACFA but it should be noted that accreditation is not yet in place given the recency of the course commencement.
Students are required to complete a 1 year internship in the second year of the program. A minimum of 40 hours of face to face counselling is required in order to graduate.
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Counselling, graduates will be able to:
- Demonstrate professional counselling skills matched to client need, with due attention to developmental stages and relevant cultural and spiritual issues.
- Articulate a current body of theoretical knowledge upon which to build competent clinical practice.
- Apply principles of ethical practice in complex client presentations and show awareness of relevant legal issues in professional counselling practice.
- Engage with research analytically and design a simple research project.
- Integrate and apply spiritual and psychotherapeutic perspectives to particular client presentations.
- Reflect on their interpersonal and intrapersonal process as a professional counsellor utilising regular supervision and peer support.
- Engage professionally and competently in the work place
- Demonstrate an ability to integrate systemic and relationship perspectives into their counselling practice.
Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Counselling will allow the student to be industry ready and to seek employment in a counselling or counselling related position such as: School counselling, Gambling counselling, Private practice, Telephone counselling, Relationship counselling, Drug and alcohol counselling, Welfare and youth work counselling.
Admission criteria
To qualify for admission, an applicant must have achieved:
- an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher; or
- an overseas qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher.
In exceptional circumstances an applicant may be admitted based on qualifications deemed equivalent as assessed by the Course Convenor in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
Advanced standing
Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.
Fees and charges
^ Indicative total only. Actual total will depend on subject selection, rate of program completion and annual review of fee levels. Check the latest fee information.
Further information
Read the full course details on the Avondale University website.
The academic content of all programs is subject to routine review.
Visit the Avondale University website.
Call 1300 219 159
Email the College of Health Sciences.