What is a Graduate Certificate of Counselling?
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling provides a postgraduate qualification that enhances counselling and interpersonal communication skills. It delivers an improved understanding of the human psyche, counselling theories and barriers to overcome in order to support an individual’s wellbeing. This course is valuable to professionals looking to extend relevant skills in fields such as nursing, social work and teaching.
Learning outcomes
- Support clients with a range of issues within ethical and professional requirements.
- Understand and apply psychosocial wellbeing to practice.
- Deepen and broaden communication skills.
- Apply theories and practical skills to personal lived experience and to demonstrate self-care.
This is an AQF Level 8 course delivered by Torrens University Australia Ltd.
Career opportunities
This course has been designed to prepare you for employment in a role which leverages counselling and communication skills. Upon completion, you will have the opportunity to progress your career in the professional domain of counselling or continue your studies.
Career paths
- Counselling
- Case Manager
- Rehabilitation Support Services
- Mental Health Support Services
- Domestic Violence Support Service
- Addiction Support Services
- Family Services
- Child Protection
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Future careers
- Counselling
- Case Manager
- Rehabilitation Support Services
- Mental Health Support Services
- Domestic Violence Support Service
- Addiction Support Services
- Family Services
- Child Protection
Subjects and units
4 Core subjects
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Advanced Therapeutic Communication | ATC401Communication skills are fundamental to therapeutic relationships. This subject explores the nature of interpersonal communication including different communication channels and barriers to effective communication. The role of self-perception and culture in interpersonal communication, listening and reflection play in effective communication will be critically appraised. Students will examine how different types of relationships both personal and professional can be enhanced through more effective communication. This subject concludes with a discussion of power in interpersonal relationships, and how and when confidentially and the therapeutic responsibility to exercise ‘duty of care’ might conflict Students will demonstrate micro-skills, attending and communication process skills, verbal and non-verbal communication, nuanced listening and reflecting skills, and the use and abuse of questions.
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Theoretical Approaches to Counselling | TAC402This subject introduces a variety of counselling approaches. Students are required to explore approaches to theories, modalities and practice skills. Students are introduced to a selection of counselling theories, including: • Person‐centred Therapy • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behavioural Therapy and Solution Focused techniques • Acceptance and Commitment Therapy, Narrative Therapy and Mindfulness based practice Students will participate in different experiential learning scenarios to develop their understanding of various counselling interventions This subject also establishes a firm foundation for the concepts and techniques developed in later subjects.
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Life Stages and Development | LSD403The subject introduces the field of developmental psychology and explores why people behave in certain ways, what drives or motivates human behaviour, and links between developmental experience and trauma. Students will examine the key life stages of birth, early and later childhood, adolescence, young adulthood, mid‐life, aging and death in their social and cultural contexts. The subject provides an opportunity for students to explore how theories of attachment, cognitive and social development explain human development across the lifespan with particular reference to the effects of trauma. The influences of biology, gender, culture, ethnicity and socio‐political contexts in these development periods will also be investigated.
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Self Care & Developing Resilience | SDR404Resilience, a quality that allows individuals to recover from times of difficulty and crisis and can be developed through understanding and practice. The subject covers the principles of social, emotional, physical and psychological wellbeing as they relate to health behaviours. Students will analyse the role of capacity building and the promotion of wellbeing through strategies to enhance personal and professional self-care. The impact of vicarious trauma and the effects of burnout for professionals will be explored. Students will be required to critically self-reflect applying theories and practice skills to personal lived experience and history and use this knowledge to develop a cohesive self-care plan suitable to future industry practice.
Industry partners
Why study with us?
Domestic entry requirements, fees and scholarships
Fees: Domestic students
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Domestic fees
Check the Domestic Course Fee Schedule for the cost of your course.
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FEE-HELPEligible Australian students may choose to defer some, or all, of their tuition fees through FEE-HELP, a loan scheme repaid through the tax system based on income.
Scholarships: Domestic students
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Scholarship types
Admissions criteria and pathways: Domestic students
Guaranteed pathway and Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have already completed a qualification you may be able to credit this against your degree with us, even if it’s from another institution. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning. We also offer pathway opportunities to further your learning.How to apply: Domestic students
Get started
Read through the admissions criteria and ensure you meet the entry requirements.
Apply
It’s easy! Apply online below or contact us and we can help on 1300 575 803.
Offer
We’ll contact you shortly after to confirm your details and help you through the rest of the process.
Frequently asked questions
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How do I apply for a course?Domestic students:
Check the entry requirements for the course you’re interested in and submit your initial application form online to begin your journey at Torrens University Australia.
If you have any difficulty, please contact our Course and Careers Advisors, who can talk you through the process.
ALL SA/SACE and Victorian high school students must apply through SATAC and/or VTAC. Search for Torrens University Australia, Billy Blue College of Design or Blue Mountains International Hotel Management School.
International students:If you are an international student hoping to begin your studies in Australia, study online, or transfer from another university, you may choose to do so through our Education Agents. Our agents are located throughout the world and will make sure the enrolment process runs smoothly. View the full list of International Education Agents. You can also apply online. For anything else, please contact our International team.
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What are Torrens University Australia’s ATAR requirements for domestic students?Torrens University Australia no longer considers ATAR (Australian Tertiary Admission Rank) as our primary entry requirement. We have removed ATAR as the key admissions criteria for applicants aiming to study at Torrens University Australia. We strongly believed an alternative to the ATAR system should be found, which more broadly assesses students, especially when soft skills are emerging as important employability attributes. So, students with a recent secondary school education are now considered for admission if they have a Year 12 (Australian secondary school) certificate. Exceptions may apply to some courses.
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Can I get course credit for previous experience?
Yes, course credit is available for most courses upon application and academic approval (excluding Higher Degree by Research programs).
If you have already completed a qualification or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for credit towards your course. This credit can take the form of credit transfer, block credit or Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Review our Course Credits page or chat to our Course and Careers Advisors.
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What if I don’t meet the entry criteria for a degree?
Torrens University Australia has a range of application pathways to help you gain entry into our degrees based on different criteria.
To find out more, visit Study Pathways or contact our Course and Careers Advisors.
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What are Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) and Credit Transfer (CT)? How do I apply?
Recognition of Prior Learning is an assessment process that recognises experience, previous study and qualifications, and other forms of informal and non-formal learning, to determine if you meet course requirements.
If you have relevant qualifications or experience, you may be eligible for credit towards your course and a reduction in tuition costs.
Please speak to our Course and Careers Advisors to discuss your prior learning experiences.
For more information, please visit Course credits.
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Am I eligible for FEE-HELP?
If you are a domestic student attending university or an approved higher education provider, you can get a FEE-HELP loan to pay all or part of your tuition fees.
You are eligible for FEE-HELP assistance for a unit of study (i.e. subject) if you:
- Undertake study with an approved provider.
- Meet the citizenship and residency requirements:
- An Australian citizen or a New Zealand Special Category Visa holder who meets the long-term residency criteria and who will undertake, in Australia, at least one unit of study contributing to your course; OR
- A permanent humanitarian visa holder who will be a resident in Australia for the duration of your unit; OR
- Are a permanent visa holder who is undertaking bridging study for overseas-trained professionals, and will be a resident in Australia for the duration of the study.
- Enrolled in an eligible unit of study by the census date for the unit.
- Have not exceeded the FEE-HELP limit.
For full details, visit the Australian Government website Study Assist.
If you are still unsure, please contact our Course and Career Advisors who can talk you through the information.
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How do I apply for a scholarship?
Torrens University has a wide range of scholarship options to support new, returning, international and Australian students. They all include a reduction in tuition fees, and some scholarships include a mentoring component with our industry partners.
Domestic students
When you speak to our Course and Careers Advisors, let them know you wish to be considered for a scholarship in your application form. They will show you how to apply for a scholarship.
International students
Please contact your Education Agent for further information. Alternatively, you can call us on 1300 575 803 or by email.
For more details, explore our range of scholarships.
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