Graduate Certificate in Counselling (1648)

  • Approved Abbreviation: GradCertCouns
  • Western Sydney University Program Code: 1648
  • AQF Level: 8

This program applies to students who commenced in 2016 or later.

Counselling is a cross-disciplinary pathway into a career in helping human beings in distress. In counselling clients gain self-understanding, expand interpersonal capacities and become more able to change through a dedicated helping relationship. This program focuses on the process of creating of a therapeutic environment for clients and on cultivating the high levels of skill, sensitivity, self-knowledge and ethical conduct required of the counselling professional. Theories and approaches are taught and critically examined in the light of their contribution to a contemporary relational understanding and practice of counselling. This program is aimed specifically at graduates in any discipline who can demonstrate the personal qualities required for this demanding profession.

Students who wish to meet Professional Training Standards are advised to enrol in the Graduate Diploma in Counselling.

Study Mode

One year part-time.

Program Advice

Penelope Gardner
 

Prospective students should visit the following websites for general enquiries about this program.

Enquire about this program| Local Admission | International Admission |

Location

Campus Attendance Mode Advice
Parramatta Campus - Victoria Road Part Time Internal Penny Gardner

Accreditation Note 

The Graduate Certificate in Counselling is not accredited with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Admission

Applicants must have successfully completed an undergraduate degree or higher in any discipline,
And
Participate in a group interview on campus to demonstrate their suitability for the program.

Invitations to the interview process will be selective, based on CV and letter, and interviewees will be ranked, as numbers admitted to the program are limited.

Information for applicants about the Interview

Applicants are required to upload a detailed CV and an accompanying letter to their application addressing the following:

  • Reason for wishing to pursue a counselling qualification
  • Relevant life experience
  • Relevant work or volunteer experience

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC).  Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University.  Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/
https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Program Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 40 credit points including the subjects listed in the recommended sequence below.

Recommended Sequence

Part-time

Plan of Study Grid
Year 1
Autumn sessionCredit Points
WELF 7009 Foundations of Psychotherapy and Counselling 1 20
 Credit Points20
Spring session
WELF 7010 Foundations of Psychotherapy and Counselling 2 10
WELF 7006 Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice 10
 Credit Points20
 Total Credit Points40