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Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling)

Specialist Degree in Counselling

This specialist counselling course enables you to work in community, government and private organisations, and with further work experience, in private practice.

You'll gain in-depth skills in counselling and interpersonal communication, and learn to engage effectively in a counselling interaction. You'll also learn to recognise major transitional points in human development, and some of the crises that may arise around these points.

Graduates generally pursue roles such as:

community or welfare worker (in areas such as child care, aged care, disabilities, and alcohol & other drugs counselling)
health care professional
mediation and negotiation facilitator
private practitioner and/or consultant
relationship counsellor
youth worker

Quick Course Guide

Qualification: Undergraduate Degree
Delivered by: ACAP

Study time: 3 years full-time or part-time equivalent. Enquire now for more details on study time and enrolment dates.
Student support: Comprehensive support

Delivery method: Flexible - on campus and/or online
Pre-requisites: School leavers: minimum UAI / ENTER / TER of 65, OP 14 or equivalent
Mature age students: over 21 years of age

Student placement: 400 hours
Finance options: FEE-HELP available

This applied social science course meets the minimum training standards of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and includes 400 hours of supervised work placement, where you can put theory into practice and gain valuable work experience.

Delivered by the Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP), this course focuses on experiential learning, so you emerge job ready with skills you can apply immediately.

Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling) Course Structure

There are 24 modules in this counselling course:

Interpersonal Skills
Introduction to Psychology
Conflict Management
Counselling Skills 1
Development Psychology
Social Analysis
Counselling Skills 2
Counselling Methods 1
Groupwork Theory and Practice
Counselling Methods 2
Social, Legal and Ethical Issues
Counselling in Loss

Cross Cultural Counselling
Applied Social Research
Practicum 1
Social Policy
Mental Health Issues
Organisational Behaviour
Elective 1
Practicum 2
Self-Esteem & Motivation
Elective 2
Managing in Ambiguity & Change
Professional Development & Reflective Practice

Early Exit Qualification

If you leave this course after completing the 2nd year of study, you may be eligible for the Associate Degree of Applied Social Science qualification. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant for more details.

Accreditation & Articulation

This degree meets the minimum training standards of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Upon completion, you may apply for membership to State and/or National Counselling and Psychotherapy Associations, and/or the Australian Institute of Welfare and Community Workers Inc (AIWCW).

Through ACAP's articulation agreement with the Australian Catholic University National, this qualification enables you to progress into the university's Bachelor of Social Work or the Graduate Diploma of Psychology, subject to meeting entry requirements.

Be Job Ready

Classes for this applied social science course are small and interactive, and focus on hands-on learning.

The curriculum is developed and updated in consultation with industry, so you are work ready upon completion and able to apply your skills immediately.

Student Placement: The Best Preparation

Through student placement, you'll:

gain confidence in your skills & ability
put theory into practice
acquire experience in your chosen field
identify your special area of interest
network for future job opportunities

Flexible Learning Methods

To help fit your study around your lifestyle, work and family commitments, we provide a choice of learning methods as specified below. No matter which method you choose, your learning will be supported by a set of comprehensive materials which can be downloaded free or purchased in hard copy.

On campus in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane
Interactive and lively classes; maximum of 20 students per class
Online
Log on and learn from anywhere in the world; all you need is regular computer and Internet access
Summer School
Intensive study option for busy students or those who want to complete their studies sooner

Flexible & Affordable Study

Flexibility and support were the reasons I chose ACAP. Choice of class times means I can continue to work full-time and the government loan scheme helps pay my fees.

Malcolm Breen

You can select a different study method for each module you enrol in. If you choose to study your full qualification online, you will still need to attend three separate weeks of face-to-face counsellor development workshops on campus in Sydney, Melbourne or Brisbane. These workshops are also compulsory for those who study on campus and complete less than three counselling modules.

Contact a SEEK Learning consultant for more information about the different study methods available and enrolment dates.

Practical Assessments, Not Exams

There are no exams for this course. As ACAP values experiential learning, the College uses assessments to determine if learning outcomes have been achieved.

ACAP's assessments combine both theory and practice, and can take the form of interviews, videotaped role-plays, self-critiques, essays, journals, projects and presentations. Most modules contain 3 assessments.

Study Now, Pay as You Earn

Almost every Australian citizen is eligible for Government assistance through the FEE-HELP program. This means you do not have to pay anything upfront, but can pay for your course as you earn. Contact a SEEK Learning consultant to find out more about how you can study now and pay as you earn with FEE-HELP.

This course is also Austudy and Abstudy-accredited.

Exceptional Student Support

A wide range of student support is available:

Academic guidance: get professional assistance to help you understand and prepare for assessments - especially useful for those who have not studied for many years or are unfamiliar with academic requirements to satisfy tertiary standards
Student resources: access academic and administrative information through a web-based resource centre
Student support counsellors: receive professional career guidance and counselling from qualified experts

In addition, those studying online have access to a dedicated support person by phone or email.

About ACAP

ACAP is a leading Higher Education Provider (HEP) in applied psychology and a Registered Training Organisation (RTO). ACAP educators are highly experienced practitioners with current industry knowledge.

A key component of ACAP's applied psychology and counselling courses is student placement, which involves you securing work placement within an organisation of your choice. ACAP will help you organise this and support you throughout your placement.

Many ACAP students are offered paid employment as a direct result of their work placements.

Find out more about ACAP.