Our Approach

The Australian College of Applied Psychology provides education and training to further individuals' professional and personal development. Our courses are ideal for those who want to improve the way they work and communicate with people.

Whether you are interested in pursuing a career as a counsellor or improve your people management skills, the College provides an interactive learning environment to develop skills, increase understanding and gain qualifications.

Everything counts

The College offers flexible and portable study pathways in the two Schools of Counselling & Communication and People, Management & Leadership. Whether you are studying a single module or a course, the College has structured its courses so students can build on qualifications. The College's modules can be undertaken individually as a short course. On successful completion students receive a Statement of Attainment. Undergraduate and postgraduate qualifications nest within each other. This means you can enrol in a course, for example a Certificate IV, and after completing the six required modules you can upgrade to a Diploma by completing a further six modules.

Flexibility

Students can study On Campus, by Distance Education, Online or a combination of these three modes. You can mix and match your study each term to best fit in with family, lifestyle or work commitments. This also means that if you need to move location, state or country you can continue your study.

Real skills for real people

The College's training approach is based on adult experiential learning principles in which the student is regarded as the most important ingredient in the learning process. Everything taught at the College has a practical application. The curriculum and interactive learning environment provide the opportunity to discuss, apply, test, reflect, evaluate and acquire 'hands on' skills. Skills gained can be introduced immediately into students' personal and professional lives.

Workplace relevance

The College's curriculum was developed, and is continually updated, in consultation with industry in order to deliver graduates that are work ready and are able to fill the skill needs within organisations. We continue to monitor the results of our graduates and the needs of the sectors we service. A graduate survey conducted in July 2002 showed that in the year since graduating:

• Almost half of those employed were offered a position from their fieldwork organisation
• 35% went on to establish a private practice in counselling, psychotherapy, coaching or management consulting
• The majority of those looking for work after graduation gained employment as a direct result of completing their ACAP qualification
• 10% went on to further studies.

Study load

Full-time students undertake three or four modules per term depending on the course. Part-time students usually undertake an average of two modules per term. Students can change their study load from term to term according to their circumstances. We recommend that for every hour of module study time, an equivalent amount of personal time be allocated to the study of module content and readings.

Assessment Methods

Students undertake assessments during the term, not end of term examinations, to demonstrate knowledge, competence and understanding. Assessments enable application and reflection on skill development. Students are assessed using a variety of methods including interviews, videotaped role-plays, self-critiques, essays, journals, module-specific projects and presentations.

Assessment is competency based and is designed to assist the integration and demonstration of target competencies. Most modules contain 3 assessments.

Mutual Recognition

The College, as a Higher Education Provider (HEP) and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO) in compliance with the Australian Quality Training Framework (AQTF), recognises and accepts qualifications and Statements of Attainment issued by other HEPs and RTOs. This mutual recognition enables individuals to receive national recognition of their achievements.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

A person's skills and knowledge acquired through previous training, work or life experience can count as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) or Recognition of Current Competencies (RCC). In accordance with accepted academic guidelines, a student who demonstrates RPL/RCC can receive special status or credit ('Advanced Standing') in some ACAP modules. The learning outcomes for each module provide the RPL benchmarks, ie Advanced Standing in a module recognises attainment of all competencies for that module. To apply please complete the RPL Policy and Application Form(PDF).

Grievance and Appeal Procedures

In the event of a grievance or an appeal, a student may opt to choose some or all of the following procedures to resolve or clarify a grievance or an appeal.

• Talk directly with the person concerned to resolve the problem.
• Seek the assistance of his/her Educator or Course Coordinator.
• Consult the Students Support Counsellor for assistance.
• Consult relevant academic staff.
• Seek arbitration by a third party acceptable to all parties to the grievance.

More Information

Follow the link to Request a Brochure or contact the Course Information Centre on 1800 061 199 to organise a time to speak with a Course Advisor.