Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Mental Health)
- External
- Semester 1 (February)
- Semester 2 (July)
- 8 units
- 1 year or part-time equivalent
- -
Program Information Set
Support people with mental health conditions
Do you have a passion for supporting those with mental health conditions? Our Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Mental Health) will help develop the necessary expertise in topics including mental health conditions in society, their aetiology, evidence-based treatment approaches, assessment models and psychopharmacology.
While study is mainly external, you will be required to attend mandatory residential schools at USQ Ipswich campus associated with four designated courses to meet the required number of hours of face-to-face instruction and ensure you have the best possible skills preparation.
Further study
Use the credit you’ll gain from the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and go on to complete the Master of Counselling.
Professional accreditation
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling (Mental Health Counselling) is designed to meet the PACFA Mental Health Practitioner Competencies. This qualification may assist Clinical Members of PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia) who are applying for registration as Mental Health Practitioners.
Graduates of the Graduate Diploma of Counselling will be able to apply for membership of the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and registration as a Counsellor with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP). Registration as a Counsellor on the national counsellor register (ARCAP) can be via membership with ACA or PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia).
Other majors for the Graduate Diploma of Counselling include: Alcohol and Drug Studies, Child, Youth and Family Therapy, and Foundations of Practice.
If you are enrolled in the External study mode in this degree, you will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials, use the facilities and meet staff and other students.
This degree has a mandatory attendance requirement for some of the residential school courses. View the USQ Handbook (see link below) or please contact us for more information.
| Courses to be studied | Units |
|---|---|
| Core courses* | 7 |
| plus 1 x approved course* |
1 |
| Total | 8 |
*Some of the courses have a mandatory 4–day residential school and 10 hours of mandatory online tutorials.
How much will it cost?
Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this program are:
| Study Mode | Cost |
|---|---|
| Domestic full fee paying | AUD 19680 |
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.
You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.
Scholarships and financial assistance
You may be able to apply for scholarships to help with your study costs.
Residential schools
This program includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.
Entry Requirements
- A bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
English Language Requirements
You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements. This program 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.
How to apply
Closing dates
Applying directly to USQ:
- Semester 1, 2020 - applications close Friday 6 March, with semester 1 commencing on Monday 24 February 2020.
- Semester 2, 2020 - applications close Friday 24 July, with semester 2 commencing on Monday 13 July 2020.