Graduate Diploma of Counselling

Course Specifications

graduate diploma of counselling

Award Level: AQF Level 8

Admission to Candidature:

1. An applicant for admission to candidature for the Graduate Diploma of Counselling will:

• Hold a three-year AQF 7 Bachelor Degree in any discipline; OR
• Hold a postgraduate qualification (AQF 8 or above) in Counselling; OR
• Hold an undergraduate qualification (AQF 7) in Counselling; OR
• Qualify for professional entry on the basis of their work, life and ministry experience, AND
• Demonstrate a suitable degree of mature life experience, including self- awareness, a capacity to relate to others and an understanding of ethical behaviour. Admission also requires a selection interview with a designated coursework coordinator. At the interview the applicant will be required to demonstrate a suitable degree of mature life experience.

2.Notwithstanding the provisions of this regulation the Student Support and Administration Committee may require an applicant to demonstrate fitness for admission as a candidate for this degree by carrying out such work and/or sitting for such examinations as the Student Support and Administration Committee may determine.

3.In exceptional cases an applicant may be admitted as a candidate for a Graduate Diploma of Counselling if the applicant submits evidence of other academic and professional attainments to the Student Support and Administration Committee.

4.No candidate for the award may be concurrently enrolled in any other undergraduate or postgraduate course within the Australian University College of Divinity or any other tertiary institution, unless approval has been granted by the Academic Board.

English Proficiency:Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of 7.0 and no subtest below 6.5 in all bands of the test.

Fees: See our Tuition Fees.

Enrolment:

Students must be enrolled in order to undertake a unit of study. Applications for admission should be made by contacting the Registrar.

Course Outcomes:

Knowledge

Graduates will possess:

• specialised theoretical and technical knowledge related to the practice of counselling which is transferrable to a variety of complex client contexts;
• an advanced understanding of the principles of inquiry and methods applicable to counselling theory and their application to real-world counselling practice.

Skills

Graduates will demonstrate specialised cognitive and technical skills in counselling, so that they are able independently to:

• review and synthesise counselling information and identify and reflect, and act on complex client contexts;
• think critically and evaluate complex ideas related to the care of clients;
• demonstrate an understanding of theoretical concepts in the Pastoral Counselling sub-discipline;
• transmit counselling knowledge, skills and ideas to a variety of audiences.

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will possess the ability to:

• make high level, independent judgments related to a range of issues pertaining to counselling theory and practice.

Course Structure:

The Graduate Diploma of Counselling at St Cyril’s requires the completion of 72 credit points from 8 counselling units and 18 credit points from 2 compulsory theology units:

• An Introduction to Orthodox Anthropology
• Theological Foundations for Pastoral Counselling

1.Where an applicant is admitted on the basis of a completed AQF7 Bachelor of Counselling award OR a postgraduate qualification (AQF 8 or above) in counselling such as the Graduate Certificate in Counselling, the eight counselling units shall include:

Four compulsory units (36 credit points):

• C8101 Human Development and Counselling
• C8145 Grief, Loss and Trauma
• C9222 Solution-Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP)
• C9229 Ethical and Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling

Four elective units (36 credit points) selected from an approved list of units (see the Director of Counselling for more information).

2.Where an applicant is admitted on the basis of an AQF7 Bachelor degree in any discipline other than counselling, the twelve counselling units shall include:

Eight compulsory units (72 credit points):

• C8100 Introduction to Counselling
• C8101 Human Development and Counselling
• C8105 Counselling Theory and Practice
• C8106 Fundamentals of Psychology
• C8143 Addictions Counselling
• C8145 Grief, Loss and Trauma
• C8154 Relationship Counselling
• C9225 Counselling for Mental Health and Wellness
• C9229 Ethical and Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling

Further information about course structure can be obtained from the Director of Counselling.

Delivery of Units:

Mode of delivery will vary between units. Some units may be delivered via weekly lectures (with possible online options), while other units will be delivered in an intensive format over 1-2 weeks/weekends. Some units may require a compulsory on-campus component. Candidates are expected to check the mode of delivery and attendance requirements for each unit with the Director of Counselling and the lecturers responsible for individual units.

Period of Candidature:

Up to 3 years part-time (6 semesters). Candidates will be expected to enrol in 2 units per semester in order to complete the degree within this period.

Leave of Absence:

1. The Student Administration Committee of the AUCD, at the recommendation of St. Cyril‘s, may grant leave of absence from the Graduate Diploma of Counselling. The period of leave shall not be counted as part of the period of candidature for the degree.
2. The period of leave shall normally be one semester after which a candidate may apply for a further period of one semester or will be required to complete candidature.

Assessment:

1. The assessment of course units shall be in the manner approved by the Academic Board in line with the University College’s established guidelines for assessment packages.
2. Students may be required by the Academic Board to present themselves for oral examination.
3. Academic and non-academic misconduct will be penalised in accordance with the regulations of the University College, whose stipulations are rigorous.

Credit and Recognised Prior Learning:

1. A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 36 credit points in the Graduate Diploma of Counselling.
2. Specified Credit may be granted for units deemed to be equivalent by the Student Support and Administration Committee. Application for Unspecified Credit may be considered for elective (non-compulsory) units only.
3. Credit for Recognised Prior Learning may be granted subject to a successful application.

Progress to Further Awards:

Students who complete the Graduate Diploma of Counselling may articulate into the Master of Counselling award of the Australian University College of Divinity.

Exit Points:

Students enrolled in the Graduate Diploma of Counselling may exit with the Graduate Certificate of Counselling provided they have met the requirements of the award.

For more information, please contact the Director of Counselling: counselling@stcyrils.edu.au