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52 weeks
Full time, Part time
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Sydney
Level 2, 29 George St, Burwood, NSW 2134
Student Information
Tuition Fee
Set by the AUCD Member College you enrol with — unit fees are the same for domestic and international students. Check with your enrolled college for current fees and payment options.
Study Mode
Full time or part time. A domestic student is full time when enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester, and part time when enrolled in fewer than three units per semester.
Eligibility
Admission requirements (domestic and international applicants)
Admission to the Graduate Diploma of Counselling requires:
English Proficiency
Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in a institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 with no score below 6.5 in all bands of the test.
Additional requirements for international students
Career & Study Pathways
Where this qualification takes you
What graduates can do
Graduates will possess the ability to:
Study pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
ACA / PACFA
Course Content
Where an applicant enters the award under provision 1.1.1 or 1.1.2, the eight units shall include:
Four compulsory units (36 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Human Development and Counselling
Four compulsory units (36 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss and Trauma
Four compulsory units (36 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP)
Four compulsory units (36 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Ethical Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling
Four compulsory units (36 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Four elective units (36 credit points) taken from the Schedule below.
Where an applicant enters the award under provision 1.13 or 1.1.4, the eight units shall include:
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Introduction to Counselling Skills
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Human Development and Counselling
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Counselling Theory and Practice
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Fundamentals of Psychology
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Addictions Counselling
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss and Trauma
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Counselling for Mental Health and Wholeness
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Ethical Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling
Eight compulsory units (72 credit points) unless provision 2.2 applies
Where a student may have already completed a compulsory unit (or its equivalent) in another award, then it is to be replaced by a unit from the list in the Schedule below.
SCHEDULE
Introduction to Counselling Skills
SCHEDULE
Human Development and Counselling
SCHEDULE
Counselling Theories and Practice
SCHEDULE
Fundamentals of Psychology
SCHEDULE
Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss and Trauma
SCHEDULE
Child and Adolescent Counselling
SCHEDULE
Relationship Counselling
SCHEDULE
Family Counselling
SCHEDULE
Wellbeing and Resilience for People Helpers
SCHEDULE
Fundamental Principles of Pastoral Supervision
SCHEDULE
Addictions Counselling
SCHEDULE
Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP)
SCHEDULE
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
SCHEDULE
Counselling for Mental Health and Wellness
SCHEDULE
Narrative Therapy, Trauma and Growth
SCHEDULE
Trauma Hermeneutics
SCHEDULE
Working and Caring in Mental Health
SCHEDULE
Spiritual Care in Cases of Grief and Loss
SCHEDULE
Common Questions
The Graduate Diploma of Counselling is delivered by AUCD Member Colleges: Australian College of Ministries, Perth Bible College, St Cyril's Coptic Orthodox Theological College. An application for enrolment is made to the Registrar of the teaching institution, who can help with information on fees, units, mode of delivery and timetable.
Fees are set by the individual Member Colleges, so students are asked to check with their enrolled college for details of fees and payment options. Unit fees are the same for both domestic and international students, and vary depending on the college, the calendar year of study, the course and the units selected. AUCD and its Member Institutions periodically review and adjust fees, and students are advised of any changes before each enrolment period opens.
AUCD is an approved higher education provider, so eligible domestic students may apply for a FEE-HELP loan to pay part or all of their tuition fees. A FEE-HELP loan does not cover costs such as accommodation, laptops or textbooks, and applications must be submitted to the Registrar at your enrolled college before the census date. International students are not eligible for FEE-HELP and pay tuition fees up front in full unless special arrangements have been made in writing.
The census date is the final day to withdraw from enrolled units without incurring the full cost, and the final date for FEE-HELP applications and for variations without penalty. An administration fee may still apply. Census dates for intensive and extensive units may differ from the standard census dates — contact the Registrar at your college for the latest academic timetable. Census dates for AUCD colleges are published under Key Dates.
Yes. The Graduate Diploma of Counselling is registered on CRICOS (course code 114820E) under AUCD's CRICOS provider code 02948J, and international students may enrol at Perth Bible College (WA). International students are subject to the conditions of their Australian student visa and must maintain a full-time enrolment of four units (36 credit points) per semester. AUCD does not use agents to recruit or administer overseas students — applications must be made directly.
A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the Graduate Diploma of Counselling. Specific credit may be granted for units deemed to be equivalent by the Student Support and Administration Committee. Application for non-specific credit may be considered for elective (non-compulsory) units only. Credit for Recognised Prior Learning may be granted subject to a successful application.
Application
Three simple steps to get enrolled
Step 01
Enquire
Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.
Step 02
Submit Documents
Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.
Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
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