Graduate Diploma of Counselling

Course Code: GDC16

Availability: Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne campuses, Distance, Online
International students: This course is available to international students
Modules: 16 (including 2 Fieldwork Placement Modules)
Duration: 6 terms full-time or part-time equivalent                                                            Maximum duration: 6 years        
Fieldwork: 200 hours (2 Placements of 100hrs each)
Entry criteria: Undergraduate degree
Accreditation: Higher Education
Scholarship Available:
Nora Huppert Scholarship - Selection Criteria (PDF - Open or right click and save as)
Scholarship Application Form (PDF - Open or right click and save as)

CRICOS course code: 048166D NSW, 065522C QLDS, 060112F VIC

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling is a qualification for people who work or wish to work in a professional capacity in the field of counselling. The course is highly experiential, academically rigorous and practice-oriented. Students are provided with a solid theoretical and ethical base upon which to practise as a counsellor. The course is suitable for people from a wide variety of professional backgrounds who require greater competency in the skill, knowledge and methodology of counselling and its application in practice.

This course has been recently re-accredited with the NSW Department of Education and complies with the training standards of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

To ensure that you meet the requirements of the counselling industry, students undertaking the Graduate Diploma of Counselling who study exclusively Online or by Distance Education, or who complete few than three counselling modules (from a set list) on-campus, must attend three separate weeks of face-to-face Counsellor Development Workshops (CDW’s) over the duration of their course. These workshops provide an opportunity to apply the skills and knowledge learned during the course in a highly dynamic and interactive environment.

course sequence

To view the full Course Sequence Guide - click here

Modules

1. Counselling Skills 1
2. Conflict Management
3. Developmental Psychology
4. Counselling Skills 2
5. Counselling Methods 1
6. Counselling in Loss
7. Student Placement 1
8. Social, Legal and Ethical Issues
9. Elective 1
10. Theory and Practice of Supervision
11. Counselling Methods 2
12. Mental Health Issues
13. Elective 2
14. Student Placement 2
15. Professional Development and Reflective Practice
16. Integrative Project

Continue to the timetables and course sequence guide page for more information.

Future study

Students who complete the Graduate Diploma of Counselling are eligible for advanced standing into ACAP's

Master of Applied Social Science (Counselling).

How to Apply

It is strongly recommended that you apply well in advance of the term in which you plan to commence studying. Enrolment must be completed two weeks prior to the start of each term. Late applications are only accepted if places are available.

Click here to apply.