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Postgraduate

Graduate Certificate of Counselling (Foundations of Practice)

Domestic students International students
Graduate Certificate of Counselling (Foundations of Practice) (GCCO)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • External
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 1 year part-time
Start
  • Jan, May, Sep
Intakes
Note: Courses within this specialisation have mandatory residential schools on-campus at UniSQ Ipswich.

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Overview

  • Enhance your career and gain foundational skills in counselling with UniSQ’s Graduate Certificate of Counselling (Foundations of Practice).
  • You’ll learn to consolidate theory and practice within an integrative framework to effectively provide client-centered, trauma-informed counselling within diverse contexts and client groups, including Indigenous Australians.
  • The skills you will gain from your counselling studies will be transferable between nursing, psychology, teaching, welfare, human services or allied health practices.
  • Offered part-time, this blended specialisation is undertaken online as well on-campus and can be a great start to your career in counselling or a professional development opportunity for psychologists, social workers or other established health professionals.
  • There is a four-day mandatory residential school for each of the four Foundations of Practice courses, where you'll get hands-on practice at UniSQ Ipswich and learn from staff and other students.
 

Further study

After completing the Graduate Certificate of Counselling, you have the option to take the credit from your studies and go on to complete UniSQ’s Graduate Diploma of Counselling or the Master of Counselling.

Thinking of studying in 2024? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.

Career outcomes

  • As a graduate, your counselling and case management skills will provide you with the opportunity to work in a professional nursing, psychology, teaching, welfare, human services or allied health practices.

Entry requirements 

  • A bachelor's degree, or equivalent, in any area from a recognised university.

English language requirements

You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

UniSQ offers a number of bachelor degrees for you to study to help you meet the entry requirements for your chosen degree.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 4 units.

Courses to be studied Units
4 x specialisation courses* 4
Total 4

 

*There is a 4-day mandatory residential school at UniSQ Ipswich for each of the four Foundations of Practice courses.

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for an example of courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Residential schools

This degree has a mandatory attendance requirement for some of the residential school courses. All students will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials to gain practical experience, use facilities and specialist equipment, and meet staff and other students.

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Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your study (4 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 13320

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2024. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP. 

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period  Application closing date Orientation  Study period start date Finish date
Trimester 1, 2024  Monday 22 January Monday 15 January Monday 22 January Friday 26 April 
Trimester 2, 2024 Monday 13 May Monday 6 May Monday 13 May  Friday 16 August
Trimester 3, 2024 Monday 2 September Monday 26 August Monday 2 September Friday 6 December 

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2024

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