Graduate Certificate in Counselling

Counsellors help people through difficult times of their lives, often when they are most vulnerable. If you are looking to begin your journey to become a professional counsellor, or need to develop counselling skills for your current role as a teacher, nurse or human services professional, this course will develop your professional competence and personal readiness for a career in counselling.

You'll learn through experiential education, enabling you to focus on the quality of counselling relationships as a key feature of effective counselling practice.

After graduating from this course you may apply for admission to the Graduate Diploma in Counselling, Graduate Diploma in Creative Arts Therapies or Master of Counselling and will be exempt from the units already completed which are common to both degrees.

3 reasons to study a Graduate Certificate in Counselling at Murdoch

1. Study on your own terms - we offer flexible study arrangements allowing you to study full-time or part-time or at our Perth or Mandurah campus to suit your circumstances.
2. Benefit from experiential learning in a supportive environment.
3. Learn from highly experienced staff with industry and practical experience in counselling.

What you'll learn

• Coached practice in small groups
• Case studies, role plays and guest lecturer
• Counselling adults
• Counselling children and adolescents
• Experiential learning in group counselling

Your future career

The Graduate Certificate in Counselling provides you with an introduction to counselling, enabling you to add counselling skills to existing professional roles in health, education, social services or business.

Professional accreditation

The Graduate Certificate is a step towards the Master of Counselling degree which has Professional Accreditation with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Professional recognition

Employers in a variety of fields, from Counselling, Social Services, Teaching and Nursing, consider the Graduate Certificate as valid for professional development opportunities.

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:

• Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
• Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements

Recommended documents (if applicable)

1. Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
2. Change of name documentation
3. Marriage certificate
4. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

1. Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
   • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
   • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
2. GTE documents (if applicable) - Check the GTE requirements page for further information
   • GTE Form 2
   • Personal Statement (SOP)
   • Up to date Curriculum Vitae
3. A copy of your Passport

Recommended documents

1. Most recent Curriculum Vitae if applying using professional experience
2. A copy of your visa documents (if available)
3. A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
4. Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
5. Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
6. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing