ObjectivesThe aim of the postgraduate certificates is to develop graduates whose practice is informed by a critical understanding of social science disciplines and is oriented towards professional values and ethical practice.
Entry requirements1. Bachelor degree in a human services discipline (eg psychology, education, social work, sociology, welfare studies, youth work or related discipline); or 2. 1. three year Advanced Diploma in Welfare or equivalent; and 2. at least five years' work experience in human services.
Academic titlePostgraduate Certificate in Human Services
Course descriptionThere are special entry provisions for applicants for the Postgraduate Certificate in Human Services. Applicants who have an Advanced Diploma in Welfare (3 years) or other appropriate qualification plus a minimum of five (5) years of relevant work experience may be considered.
By the end of the course students should be able to:
1. extend their understanding of the essential role of values in the practice of human service;
2. analyse critically and use knowledge in the development and delivery of quality human services;
3. demonstrate an appreciation of the ethical dimensions of their practice;
4. reflect upon themselves and their practice within the context of changing human services.
Pathways to further study
Graduates may apply for admission to the Master of Human Services or Master of Human Services (Child Protection).
Postgraduate Certificate in Human Services
PgCertHumServs
40 cp
Minimum duration: 6 months full-time or equivalent part-time.
Course available at:
Brisbane, Queensland
Canberra, ACT
Nationally, online (http://www.acu.edu.au/elearning/)
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. Requirements for Completion of the Postgraduate Certificate
To qualify for the Postgraduate Certificate, a student must complete 40 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings.
Schedule of Unit Offerings
Prerequisite (Pre), co-requisite (Co) and Incompatible (Inc) units are indicated in parentheses where applicable.
Unit Code Credit Points Unit Name
COUN615 10 Leadership and Communication
COUN616 10 Relationship and Family Counselling (Pre: COUN621 Foundations of Counselling54)
COUN620 10 Grief and loss: Issues and Approaches (Pre: COUN621 Foundations of Counselling54)
COUN622 10 Mediation and Conflict Resolution (Pre: COUN621 Foundations of Counselling54)
LEGL504 10 The Legal Environment (Inc: EXSC661 Sports Law and the Regulatory Environment)
LEGL505 10 Duty of Care
PHIL506 10 Ethics in a Faith-Based Organisation (Inc: SWTP Ethics of Human Service Practice)
SOCI607 10 Managing the Research Process
SOCI608 10 Contemporary Human Services Management
SOCI610 10 Social Justice and Advocacy
SWTP602 10 Leadership in Human Services Organisations
SWTP603 10 Professional Supervision and Consultation in the Human Services
SWTP604 10 Special Studies in the Human Services
SWTP605 10 Child Protection Context and Policy
SWTP615 10 Families with High and Complex Needs
SWTP618 10 Ethics of Human Services Practice (Inc: PHIL506 Ethics in a Faith-Based Organisation)
SWTP616 10 Models of Intervention in Human Services
SWTP617 10 Cross-Cultural Practice
THEO567 10 Catholic Ethos and Social Teaching
THEO667 10 Theology of the Human Person
YSED600 10 Principles of Effective Youth Work
YSED601 10 Critical Issues, Young People and Schooling
YSED602 10 Young People at Risk
YSED604 10 Youth Cultures
YSED607 10 Justice and Young People
YSED610 10 Working with Children and Young People
Other elective approved by the Course Co-ordinator
54 For students who enter the course with recognised expertise in counselling, this prerequisite may be waived by the Course Co-ordinator.