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Bachelor of Counselling

Bachelors Degree

Course snapshot

Domestic snapshot

  • Course abbreviation

    BCouns

  • Course code

    3007321

  • Credit points

    288

  • Equivalent units

    24

  • Indicative Fee

    Commonwealth supported

Overview

There is strong demand for mental health professionals. If you enjoy working with people and creating positive change, counselling offers both a meaningful career and excellent employment prospects.

The Bachelor of Counselling provides a foundation in psychology, assessment and interventions, counselling theory and practice and building relationships.

Students will build skills in counselling practice with extensive placement experiences.

The University is home to an active community of researchers and thought leaders in social work and policy, psychology and community welfare.

Course Learning Outcome

GA1: Intellectual rigour

Knowledge of theory and practice relevant to professional counselling and clinical populations for a range of mental health and lifestyle issues

GA2: Creativity

Identify, select and creatively apply relevant counselling practices and techniques to diverse clinical populations to foster wellness and recovery

GA3: Ethical practice

Comply with professional codes of ethics and regulations while keeping abreast of changes in the legislation and practice applicable to counselling

GA4: Knowledge of a discipline

Participate and deliver counselling services

GA5: Lifelong learning

Demonstrate reflective practice and autonomy for lifelong personal and professional learning

GA6: Communication and social skills

Apply academic literacy skills, communication, and technical presentation skills relevant to professional counselling in a range of settings including digital mode

GA7: Cultural competence

Apply cultural and indigenous awareness and sensitivity in dealings with clients and stakeholders in a range of settings

This course includes 200 hours of compulsory professional placement experiences. 

The Bachelor of Counselling provides a foundation in psychology, assessment and interventions, counselling theory and practice and building relationships. Students will build skills in counselling practice with extensive placement experiences.

Location Teaching period UAC code QTAC code
Coffs Harbour Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A
Gold Coast Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A
Lismore Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A
Online Term 1 , Term 3 N/A N/A

Career Outcomes

The Bachelor of Counselling is accredited with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). 

Requirements

We encourage you to apply for the courses you most want to study. If you are not eligible to enter your chosen course right now, our team will work with you to find the best pathway option.

Before applying, make sure you double check all entry requirements, gather required documentation and review the University’s Rules Relating to Awards, noting any specifics listed below.

Course requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Counselling, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) comprising:

  • 20 core units (264 credit points); and
  • 2 option units (24 credit points).

Entry requirements

English language requirements apply to International applicants and other applicants whose previous study was undertaken in a language other than English. The minimum English language requirements for such applicants for entry to this course are as follows

Language requirements

To be eligible to receive the Bachelor of Counselling, students must complete the equivalent of 24 units (288 credit points) comprising:

  • 20 core units (264 credit points); and
  • 2 option units (24 credit points).

Course structure

Your course progression is in the recommended order you should complete your course in. It is important that you follow this to ensure you meet the course requirements. For further assistance see How to Enrol in Units using My Enrolment.

Students should use course progression information to select units specific to their course and enrol in these units using My Enrolment.

Unit Code Unit Title Available Credit points Notes

Complete units in the following order to satisfy the Requirements of the award

First Year
COUN1001 Counselling Skills 1
Term1
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1
Term1
Gold Coast
Term1
Term1
Lismore
Term1
Term1
Online
Term1
Term1
Enrolment information All students are required to meet compulsory participation requirements to pass the unit. Online students must attend a 3 day on-campus residential.
HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
Term1,3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,3
Term1,3
Gold Coast
Term1,3
Term1,3
Lismore
Term1,3
Term1,3
Online
Term1,3
Term1,3
COUN1002 Ethical Issues in Practice
Term2
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term2
Term2
PSYC1002 Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
Term2,5
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term2
Term2
Gold Coast
Term2
Term2
Online
Term2,5
Term2,5
COUN1003 Case Conceptualisation
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Online
Term3
Term3
PSYC2004 Lifespan Psychology
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3
Term3
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
Term3
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Enrolment information All students are required to meet compulsory participation requirements to pass the unit. Gold Coast students must attend weekly on-campus tutorials. Online students must attend a 3 day on-campus residential (8.30 am to 4.30 pm Friday to Sunday inclusive) at either the Coffs Harbour (week 2), Gold Coast (week 3) or Lismore (week 4) campus. A record of attendance will be kept at all tutorials and residentials.
HLTH1005 Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
Term3,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term3,4
Term3,4
Gold Coast
Term3,4
Term3,4
Lismore
Term3,4
Term3,4
Online
Term3,4
Term3,4
Enrolment information This unit contains content on mental health and psychological trauma which may be triggering for some students. Please consider this when enrolling in the unit.
Second Year
COUN2001 Counselling Skills 2

Not currently available

 12
COUN2002 Group Therapy: Theory and Practice

Not currently available

 12
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
Term2,4
12
Location Domestic International
Lismore
Term2,4
Term2,4
Online
Term2,4
Term2,4
COUN2003 Addictions Counselling

Not currently available

 12
COUN2004 Counselling Children and Young People

Not currently available

 12
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
Term3
12
Location Domestic International
Gold Coast
Term3
Term3
Online
Term3
N/A
COUN2005 Counselling Skills 3

Not currently available

 12
STAT2001 Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
Term1,4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term1,4
Term1,4
Gold Coast
Term1,4
Term1,4
Lismore
Term1,4
Term1,4
Online
Term1
Term1
Pre-requisites 36 credit points
Third Year
COUN2006 Counselling Families and Couples

Not currently available

 12
Select an Option Unit from the Schedule of Units
COUN3001 Counselling Placement and Supervision 1

Not currently available

 24 Note 1
Select an Option Unit from the Schedule of Units
COUN3002 Counselling Placement and Supervision 2

Not currently available

 24 Note 1
PSYC3005 Culture and Psychology
Term4
12
Location Domestic International
Coffs Harbour
Term4
Term4
Gold Coast
Term4
Term4
Online
Term4
Term4
Pre-requisites PSYC1002 - Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation

Note 1:

Double-weighted unit

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
Core Units
COUN1001 Counselling Skills 1
HLTH1004 The Reflective Learner and Health Science Scholar
COUN1002 Ethical Issues in Practice
PSYC1002 Psychology Foundations: Self and Situation
COUN1003 Case Conceptualisation
PSYC2004 Lifespan Psychology
WELF1003 Counselling Theory and Practice
HLTH1005 Understanding Wellbeing and Mental Health
COUN2001 Counselling Skills 2
COUN2002 Group Therapy: Theory and Practice
INDG1001 Indigenous World-Views
COUN2003 Addictions Counselling
COUN2004 Counselling Children and Young People
WELF2003 Trauma Informed Practice
COUN2005 Counselling Skills 3
STAT2001 Foundations of Evidence for Health Science Practitioners
COUN2006 Counselling Families and Couples
COUN3001 Counselling Placement and Supervision 1 Note 1
PSYC3005 Culture and Psychology
COUN3002 Counselling Placement and Supervision 2 Note 1

Unit Code Unit Title Notes
HLTH3001 Independent Study - Health Science
TCHR2002 Children, Families and Communities
EDUC3008 Promoting the Health and Wellbeing of Young People
INDG1010 Trauma and Resilience I
INDG2001 Health and Indigenous Australian Peoples