Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling)

Availability: On-campus Sydney, Brisbane, Melbourne, distance education and online                                                                                                                               International students: This course is available to international students
Modules: 24 (including common first year)
Duration: 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent (including common first year)           Maximum duration: 8 years
Student Placement: Student Placement 1 & 2 (400 hours of practise)                       Entry requirements: UAI 65, OP 14 or equivalent or, 21 years and over                 English Language entry requirements: IELTS 6.5 or equivalent
Accreditation: Higher Education
Scholarships Available:
ATSI Scholarship - Selection Criteria (PDF - Open or right click and save as),
Alan Rowe Scholarship - Selection Criteria (PDF - Open or right click and save as)
Scholarship Application Form (PDF - Open or right click and save as)

CRICOS: 057962A NSW, 060114D VIC, 069672A QLD

Why study this course

The B App Soc Sc (Counselling) is ideal if you are interested in working effectively with people as a counsellor in a variety of areas of specialisation. Completing this course will provide you with practical counselling skills as well as a firm understanding of the social and environmental contexts that impact on individuals in today’s society.

Professional Recognition

The Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling) has been accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Graduates of this course will satisfy the training component that leads towards membership of a PACFA Member Association. Students will need to contact their relevant Member Association to clarify the level and other requirements of membership.

To ensure that you meet the requirements of the counselling industry, students undertaking the Bachelor of Applied Social Science (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.

career outcomes

As a graduate of this course you will be a reflective counselling practitioner, well suited to work in a range of private and public areas such as: casework and case management, pastoral care worker, child & youth worker, community welfare and support services, conflict resolution, coordination of community volunteer programs as well as work in areas such as aged care, addictions, bereavement and loss, migrant services and family and relationship counselling.

Course Sequence

To view the full Course Sequence Guide - click here

Year 1

The first year of the Bachelor of Applied Social Science is common to all three areas of Specialisation. Students may apply to enter their chosen area of specialisation after completing the initial six modules.

Due to the nature of the Counselling industry, there are further entry requirements which must be satisfied to enter the Counselling specialisation. Please contact the College for further information on this process.

See common first year - Bachelor of Applied Social Science

Year 2

10. Counselling Methods 1
11. Developmental Psychology
12. Developing Professional Practice [Pre-requisite: Counselling Skills 2]
13. Counselling Methods 2
14. Social, Legal and Ethical Issues [Pre-requisite: Counselling Skills 2]

Student Placement 1 commences

15. Social Policy [Pre-requisite: Social Analysis]
16. Groupwork Theory And Practice
17. Applied Social Research [Pre-requisite: Social Analysis]

Year 3

18. Professional Practice [Pre-requisite: Counselling Skills 2 and Developing Professional Practice]
19. Counselling in Loss
20. Elective 1
21. Contemporary Social Issues

Student Placement 2 commences

22. Mental Health Issues
23. The Reflective Practitioner
24. Elective 2

**Click here for the full Course Sequence guide**

ELECTIVES

*Students who choose the Counselling Specialisation must complete the compulsory Conselling specialisation modules and select two other modules from the Electives listed below.

• Career Counselling and Assessment
• Foundations of Marketing
• Human Resource Management
• Leading and Visioning
• Managing and Developing Teams
• Business Efficiency and Resource Management
• Psychology of Peak Performance [Pre-requisite: Foundations of Positive Psychology]
• Psychology of Health and Wellness [Pre-requisite: Foundations of Positive Psychology]
• Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselling [Pre-requisite: Counselling Methods 1 and Counselling Methods 2]
• Crisis and Trauma Counselling [Pre-requisite: Counselling Methods 1 and Counselling Methods 2]
• Working with Children [Pre-requisite: Counselling Methods 1 and Counselling Methods 2]
• Family and Relationship Counselling [Pre-requisite: Counselling Methods 1 and Counselling Methods 2]
• Existential Counselling (On Campus only) [Pre-requisite: Counselling Methods 1 and Counselling Methods 2]

On completion

Graduates who have 500 hours supervised practice in professional counselling, and a current caseload of at least 3 clients, can apply to enter the 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.