ObjectivesThe Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) aims to provide a general level of proficiency – both theoretical and practical – suited to a range of professionals engaged in counselling activity in their professional work. Counselling is a mode of professional helping, which draws heavily on the discipline of psychology, while integrating reflective practical work. The major begins by exploring the history, foundations and role of counselling and then explores the range of theories that contributes to the development of a professional orientation. There is on-going attention to the development of applied skills, with a focus on the significant issues encountered by those who work professionally in this area. Advanced units explore contemporary issues and interventions such as loss and grief, spirituality, psychological disorders, ethical practices, mediation and group work.
Entry requirementsQueensland Prerequisites: English (4, SA) Victoria Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4 – a study score of at least 25 in English (any).
Academic titleBachelor of Social Science (Counselling)
Course descriptionGraduates of the Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) are eligible to apply for membership of the Australian Association of Pastoral Counsellors through which they may obtain membership of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
Queensland Counsellors' Association accreditation has also been received for this specialisation within the Bachelor of Social Science degree.
Career Opportunities
* Graduates may gain employment as professional counsellors in a number of settings including parish work, hospices and hospitals, industry or school settings.
Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling)
BSocSc(Coun)
240 cp
Minimum duration: 3 years full-time or equivalent part-time.
Course available at:
Brisbane, Queensland
Melbourne, Victoria
EFTSL value of units: All 10 cp units in this course have an EFTSL value of 0.125. Units with a cp value of a multiple of 10 have corresponding EFTSL values.
1. Definitions
“Major”: 80 cp in prescribed units in one discipline or approved interdisciplinary area, including at least 10 cp at introductory level and at least 60 cp at advanced level.
2. Requirements for Completion of the Degree
To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 240 cp, consisting of:
1. 220 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:
1. 80 cp from a Counselling Major including all Core Units;
2. 80 cp from a Behavioural Science Major including all Core Units;
3. 40 cp from Clinical Fieldwork;
4. 20 cp from Theology/Philosophy or Study of Religions Units;
2. 20 cp from electives in Theology, Counselling and/or Behavioural Science listed in the Schedule of Unit Offerings for the Bachelor of Social Science (Counselling) degree or Sociology units listed in the Schedule of Unit Offerings for the Bachelor of Social Science degree.
Schedule of Unit Offerings
Prerequisite (Pre), co-requisite (Co) and incompatible (Inc) units are indicated in parentheses where applicable.
Counselling
Core Units
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
COUN106 10 Introduction to Counselling
COUN208 10 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1 (Pre: COUN106 Introduction to Counselling)
COUN211 10 Working in Human Services (Pre: COUN106 Introduction to Counselling)
COUN212 10 Ethical and Legal Issues in Counselling (Pre: COUN106 Introduction to Counselling)
COUN213 10 Mediation and Dispute Resolution (Pre: COUN208 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1)
COUN214 10 Grief and Loss Counselling (Pre: COUN208 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1)
COUN215 10 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 2 (Pre: COUN208 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1)
COUN216 10 Religious and Spiritual Issues in Counselling (Pre: THCT100 What Christians Believe and COUN208 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1)
Electives
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
COUN217 10 Counselling Diverse Populations (Pre: COUN208 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1)
COUN218 10 Counselling Children and Adolescents (Pre: COUN208 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1)
COUN219 10 Family and Relationship Counselling (Pre: COUN208 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1)
COUN220 10 Counselling and the Aged (Pre: COUN208 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 1)
Behavioural Science
Core Units
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
BEHV101 10 Behavioural Science 1
BEHV102 10 Behavioural Science 2
BEHV204 10 Communication Skills (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV209 10 Research Methods (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV210 10 Small Group Processes (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV219 10 Psychological Disorders (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
Electives
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
BEHV200 10 Cognition and Learning (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV201 10 Contemporary Psychology (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV202 10 Cross-cultural Psychology (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV203 10 Developmental Psychology (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV205 10 Introduction to Personality (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV206 10 Psychology of Organisations (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV208 10 Psychology of Religion (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV211 10 Social Psychology (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV212 10 The Concept of Self (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
BEHV215 10 Work, Stress and the Family (Pre: BEHV101 Behavioural Science 1 and BEHV102 Behavioural Science 2)
Clinical Fieldwork
Core Units
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
COUN306 20 Clinical Fieldwork 1(Pre: COUN211 Working in Human Services and COUN213 Mediation and Dispute Resolution and COUN214 Grief and Loss Counselling and COUN215 Theories and Techniques of Counselling 2)
COUN307 20 Clinical Fieldwork 2 (Pre: COUN306 Clinical Fieldwork 1)
Philosophy and Theology
Theology, Philosophy and Study of Religions Units as listed in the Theological Studies, Philosophy and Study of Religions sequences in the Bachelor of Arts degree.