Graduate Diploma in Counselling

Graduate Diploma

The Graduate Diploma in Counselling prepares graduates to work as university-qualified registered counsellors in a diverse range of counselling contexts.

Key details

Degree Type

Graduate Diploma

Duration

4 years part-time

Course Code

GradDipCouns

Study Mode

Online

About this course

The Graduate Diploma in Counselling prepares graduates to work as university-qualified registered counsellors in a diverse range of counselling contexts. Combining online study with mandatory intensive schools in a blended learning format, the course is ideally suited to individuals with a prior degree in any discipline wishing to gain an industry-recognised, tertiary-level qualification whilst continuing to meet their work and family commitments. As part of the award, students can complete either the Generalist Counselling Pathway or the Counselling Placement Pathway which includes 40 hours of face-to-face counselling; 10 hours of clinical supervision and 150 hours of agency-based activities. The course provides a direct pathway to the Master of Counselling at UNE and is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), a national peak association, and Australia's largest single registration body for counsellors and psychotherapists. Student membership with the ACA is available while undertaking the course, with professional membership eligibility after graduation. Graduates who engage in ongoing professional development are also eligible to be listed on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP), an independent national register of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.

Entry requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification;

or

(b) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or AQF Level 9 Masters or AQF Level 10 Doctorate degree in any relevant* discipline;

or

(c) satisfy UNE by means of other relevant* professional experience by submitting a Statement of Service from your employer/s and a resume outlining a minimum of three years' full-time (or equivalent) relevant* professional experience and training undertaken in the past 10 years.

*Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to: counselling, psychology, social work, nursing, teaching, human resources, life coaching, community services, children's services, youth work, care for the aged, care for the disabled, residential client care, welfare studies, human welfare services, pastoral care and medicine.

Study locations

Armidale

Online

What you will learn

Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:

demonstrate advanced theoretical knowledge and skills-based practice in the discipline of counselling;
utilise contemporary research and evidence-based guidelines, together with a professional understanding of diverse client populations and the main approaches used, in order to best meet their client's needs;
apply principles of ethico-legal practice to plan, implement, analyse and document ways of working with clients in complex situations, demonstrating respect for diversity;
conduct skills-based practice sessions in a competent, adaptable and professional manner, demonstrating well-developed judgement, in order to best meet the needs of clients and groups;
engage reflexively in analysis of the development of their professional practice, counselling and supervision skills and on the need for ongoing supervision and professional development; and
demonstrate the capacity to work inter-professionally and to communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to others.

Career pathways

Employment opportunities in the public, private and community counselling, health, education and human services sectors.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Psychology courses at University of New England (UNE).

91.9%

Overall satisfaction

80.6%

Skill scale

75.1%

Teaching scale

83.6%

Employed full-time

$85.3k

Average salary

Data source