Bachelor of Counselling

Program summary

Program title: Bachelor of Counselling
Award abbreviation: BCouns
QTAC code: 011161
OP/Rank for 2012 entry: OP-18 / Rank-63
Duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time
Commence: Semester 1 or Semester 2
Study mode: on campus
Recommended prior study: English
Recommended prior preparation: Criminal History check, Suitability Card (Blue Card CCYPCG)
Fee type 2012: Commonwealth supported places, fee paying places, international fee-paying places
Total units: 288
USC program code: AR375
CRICOS code: 074094K. Only a full-time option is available to international students on a Student Visa.

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 (Blue Card CCYPCG) is required, refer to Program requirements.

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 the Australian Community Workers Association; Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia; Queensland Counsellors Association.

Accreditation

This program is fully accredited with the Australian Community Workers Association.

Enquiries

• Contact Student Administration for application and admission information
• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business for program advice

Program Leader
Neil Mellor
Tel: +61 7 5430 1265
Email: NMellor@usc.edu.au

Program requirements

In order to graduate you must:

• Complete 2 core courses, 15 required courses and 5 electives.
• Successfully complete 2 field education placements (SCS263 and SCS264).
• Complete no more than 10 introductory level courses including core courses.
• Complete no more than 6 courses from the School of Business or Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering.
• Register any selected Majors and Minors with Student Administration.

In order to commence field education placement you must:

• Hold a valid Suitability Card (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.

Program notes

• Completing this program within the specified (full-time) duration is based on studying 48 unit points per semester (normally 4 courses).
• Electives may be used to complete and additional major or minor to supplement the required major.
• 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 participate in the Global Opportunities (GO) Program to undertake courses with an overseas higher education provider. It is advisable to contact your Program Advisor to discuss timing and course issues.
• Only a full-time study option is available to international students on a Student Visa.
• Refer to the English language requirements. 
• When enrolling, refer to the Study Plan.

Program structure

Core courses

Select 2 core courses from:
COR109 Communication and Thought
COR110 Innovation, Creativity and Entrepreneurship
COR111 Environment, Technology and Sustainability

Introductory courses

5 required courses
PSY100 Introduction to Psychology A
PSY101 Introduction to Psychology B
SCS110 Introduction to Sociology: Society, Culture and Change
SCS130 Introduction to Indigenous Australia
SCS180 Counselling for the Human Services Professional

Advanced courses

10 required courses
SCS263 Counselling Placement 1
SCS264 Counselling Placement 2
SCS265 Counselling Theory and Practice
SCS266 Trauma, Bereavement and Crisis Counselling
SCS276 Group Work
SCS278 Ethics and Professional Practice
SCS281 Developmental and Family Counselling
SCS285 Health, Society and Culture
SWK302 Community Development and Social Action
PLUS select 1 required course from:
SCS210 Indigenous Australia and the State
SCS290 Understanding Cultural Diversity

Elective courses

Select 5 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

TOTAL UNITS 288

Study Plan

The Bachelor of Counselling Study Plan is for students commencing in the current semester.

Year 1

• Two (2) core courses:
  One core course should be studied in your first semester and one in your second semester
• Five (5) required introductory level courses
• One (1) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Core courses (2)

Select 2 core courses from:

Required courses (5)

Elective courses (1)

Select 1 elective course from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Year 2

• Six (6) required advanced level courses
• Two (2) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Required courses (6)

Elective courses (2)

Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Year 3

• Four (4) required advanced level courses
• Two (2) elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

Required courses (4)

Elective courses (2)

Select 2 elective courses from either faculty (Arts and Business or Science, Health, Education and Engineering).

TOTAL UNITS 288

Why choose USC? 

It’s the best of both worlds. Students choose USC for its industry focused degrees, experienced academics, student support, overseas study opportunities and relaxed campus atmosphere.

Am I eligible for university study?

Find out what qualifications you need to apply for entry into your proposed study program. If you don’t have the required qualifications, there may be alternative pathways you can take to gain entry to USC.

If you have previously undertaken university or TAFE studies, you may be eligible for credit transfer. 

If English is not your first language, you need to meet the minimum English language requirements for your chosen program. This requirement applies to all students intending to study at the University.

How do I submit an application?

• Current Year 12 students—regardless of whether you are OP-eligible or not—apply for university using the Twelve to Tertiary (TTT) application service on the QTAC website
• Non-school leavers use the Apply by Web (ABW) online application service on the QTAC website
• Postgraduate applicants apply directly to USC
• International students apply directly to USC International
• All other applicants

When should I apply?

Check if the program is offered in Semester 1 and / or Semester 2, then follow the deadlines on the application calendar. The academic calendar provides all the key dates you need to know as a student at USC.

What happens next?

Accept your offer with QTAC (if applicable) and USC, enrol in your classes and attend Orientation.

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to apply:

• Online: find answers to commonly asked questions in the Student FAQs
• Email: information@usc.edu.au
• Phone: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
• In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business

As a USC student, you will need to refer to your study plan to enrol in the appropriate courses each semester or session.

Find out more about how to enrol or follow these steps:

1. Check the open enrolment dates and the academic calendar for key dates
2. Refer to your Study Plan to plan your courses for the study period
3. Find your courses and decide on your classes in the class timetable
4. Log on to USC Central and enrol in courses and classes
5. Register your major or minor with your faculty (if applicable)
6. Apply for credit transfer or cross-institutional study (if applicable)
7. Pay required study fees by the fee due date

Useful links

• Getting Started Guide
• USC Central Guide
• Common enrolment problems
• Class timetables
• Academic Calendar
• Faculty major and minor offerings
• Student-related policies, plans and procedures
• Contact Student Administration

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to enrol:

• Online: Refer to the USC Central Guide
• Email: information@usc.edu.au
• Phone: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
• In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business