Bachelor of Counselling
Course code C56
Why study at ECU?
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A great student experience
As an ECU undergraduate, you can expect the best overall student experience of any of the 38 public universities in Australia. More about QILT.
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The highest quality teaching
ECU is one of the best unis in Australia for teaching. We've had 18 straight years of 5-star ratings in the Good Universities Guide to prove it!
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One of the world's young guns
We're ranked one of the world's best universities under 50 years old, and we've already established a global reputation for such a young institution.
Toggle between study options for Domestic or International students
About this Course
Ah, humans. Complex beings, just waiting for you to better understand them.
In this mind-opening course, you’ll learn about human development – from children to adolescents, to adulthood, and finally the experience of older age, illness and death.
And we promise you’ll learn a lot about yourself along the way.
The clinical knowledge, diverse expertise and experience of our academic staff will help you develop the foundational skills, to use this knowledge in the future should you pursue postgraduate studies in counselling and psychotherapy.
There’s also a lot of flexibility in the course that allows you to tailor your study to areas of interest by choosing from a wide range of units.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level
This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.
Course code C56
Entry requirements
70 Indicative ATAR
ECU admission and English language requirements apply.
See Course Entry for further information.
Fees
Commonwealth supported - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $17,000
See Fees and Scholarships for further information.
Availability & Campus
| Location | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Joondalup | FT PT | FT PT |
| Mount Lawley | ||
| South West | ||
| Online | FT PT | FT PT |
About this Course
Ah, humans. Complex beings, just waiting for you to better understand them.
In this mind-opening course, you’ll learn about human development – from children to adolescents, to adulthood, and finally the experience of older age, illness and death.
And we promise you’ll learn a lot about yourself along the way.
The clinical knowledge, diverse expertise and experience of our academic staff will help you develop the foundational skills, to use this knowledge in the future should you pursue postgraduate studies in counselling and psychotherapy.
There’s also a lot of flexibility in the course that allows you to tailor your study to areas of interest by choosing from a wide range of units.
Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) level
This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 7 Bachelor Degree Award.
Course code C56
CRICOS code 083640C
Entry requirements
ECU admission and English language requirements apply.
See Course Entry for further information.
Fees
International students - estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $38,850
See Fees and Scholarships for further information.
Availability & Campus
| Location | Semester 1 | Semester 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Joondalup | FT | FT |
| Mount Lawley | ||
| South West | ||
| Online |
Course Entry
Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.
-
The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.
One or more of the majors in this course has admission requirements. Refer to the major for more information.
All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- AQF Cert IV;
- Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
- Undergraduate Certificate;
- Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;*
- University Preparation Course;*
- Indigenous University Orientation Course; or*
- Experience Based Entry Scheme.*
* Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.
For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.
-
English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
- IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
- University Preparation Course;
- Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
- AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
- Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.
* Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.
Course Entry
Admission requirements you'll need to meet for this course.
-
The following course-specific admission requirements are mandatory and must be satisfied by all applicants. These requirements are in addition to or supersede the minimum requirements outlined within the Academic admission requirements band section below.
One or more of the majors in this course has admission requirements. Refer to the major for more information.
All applicants must meet the academic admission requirements for this course. The indicative or guaranteed ATAR is as published (where applicable) or academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- AQF Cert IV;
- Successfully completed 0.25 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
- Undergraduate Certificate;
- Skills for Tertiary Admissions Test;*
- University Preparation Course;*
- Indigenous University Orientation Course; or*
- Experience Based Entry Scheme.*
* Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.
For international students, requirements include your secondary school results.
-
English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Year 12 English ATAR/English Literature ATAR grade C or better or equivalent;
- Special Tertiary Admissions Test;*
- IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.0 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- Successfully completed 1.0 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher in the UK, Ireland, USA, NZ or Canada;
- University Preparation Course;
- Indigenous University Orientation Course;*
- AQF Diploma, Advanced Diploma or Associate Degree;
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at bachelor level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent); or
- Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.
* Further information can be found on the Study course entry page.
Course Details
Semester availability
Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 1: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup or Online
Semester 2: Study part-time at Joondalup or Online
Course Structure
Students are required to complete 12 Core units. In addition to the core units, students should complete any 12 unit major in the School of Arts and Humanities from discipline areas such as Social Science, Youth Work, Design, Psychology, Arts, Contemporary Arts and Media & Communications; or any other combination of majors, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other schools where available.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU1101 | Dynamic Models of Counselling | 15 |
| COU1201 | Therapeutic Practice with Families and Couples | 15 |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 | |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU1102 | Self Development 1 | 15 |
| COU1212 | Culture and Diversity in Therapeutic Practice | 15 |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 | |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU2102 | Therapeutic Practice with Children and Adolescents | 15 |
| COU3101 | Humanistic Models of Counselling | 15 |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 | |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU2101 | Therapeutic Practice with Older Adults | 15 |
| COU3106 | Skills Training in Humanistic Counselling | 15 |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 | |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 |
C56|5
For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.
Student handbookMajors you can study in this course
One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.
Course notes
Course learning outcomes
- Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical foundational counselling issues.
- Think critically to analyse, interpret and critically evaluate psychodynamic, humanistic and systemic counselling theoretical frameworks.
- Think creatively to anticipate complexities and generate counselling solutions to work with individuals, groups, couples and families, older adults, children and adolescents at an entry level professional role.
- Use digital technologies and counselling theoretical frameworks to access and evaluate relevant information from multiple sources.
- Communicate professional counselling knowledge and contemporary ideas of therapeutic practice clearly, coherently and with independence.
- Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural and human diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
- Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values through professional self-conduct and use of appropriate counselling and psychotherapy methods.
- Demonstrate autonomy, accountability, and judgement for own learning and scholarship and/or professional practice.
Professional Recognition
MajorsOne or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.
Course Details
Semester availability
Semester 1: Study full-time at Joondalup
Semester 2: Study full-time at Joondalup
Course Structure
Students are required to complete 12 Core units. In addition to the core units, students should complete any 12 unit major in the School of Arts and Humanities from discipline areas such as Social Science, Youth Work, Design, Psychology, Arts, Contemporary Arts and Media & Communications; or any other combination of majors, minors, or elective units from the School of Arts and Humanities or other schools where available.
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU1101 | Dynamic Models of Counselling | 15 |
| COU1201 | Therapeutic Practice with Families and Couples | 15 |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 | |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU1102 | Self Development 1 | 15 |
| COU1212 | Culture and Diversity in Therapeutic Practice | 15 |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 | |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU2102 | Therapeutic Practice with Children and Adolescents | 15 |
| COU3101 | Humanistic Models of Counselling | 15 |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 | |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 |
| Unit Code | Unit Title | Credit Points |
|---|---|---|
| COU2101 | Therapeutic Practice with Older Adults | 15 |
| COU3106 | Skills Training in Humanistic Counselling | 15 |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 | |
| Unit from Major/Minor/Elective | 15 |
C56|5
For more detailed unit information for this course take a look at our Handbook. To organise your life for next semester visit the Teaching timetable.
Student handbookMajors you can study in this course
One or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.
Course notes
Course learning outcomes
- Apply broad discipline knowledge to a range of theoretical and practical foundational counselling issues.
- Think critically to analyse, interpret and critically evaluate psychodynamic, humanistic and systemic counselling theoretical frameworks.
- Think creatively to anticipate complexities and generate counselling solutions to work with individuals, groups, couples and families, older adults, children and adolescents at an entry level professional role.
- Use digital technologies and counselling theoretical frameworks to access and evaluate relevant information from multiple sources.
- Communicate professional counselling knowledge and contemporary ideas of therapeutic practice clearly, coherently and with independence.
- Demonstrate a global outlook with respect for cultural and human diversity, including Indigenous cultural competence.
- Work collaboratively and demonstrate initiative to implement social, sustainable, and ethical values through professional self-conduct and use of appropriate counselling and psychotherapy methods.
- Demonstrate autonomy, accountability, and judgement for own learning and scholarship and/or professional practice.
Professional Recognition
MajorsOne or more of the majors in this course is externally recognised when studied within this course. Refer to the major for more information.
Fees and Scholarships
Fees
- AUD $17,000 - Commonwealth supported estimated 1st year indicative fee 1
Note
1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for the individual units you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.
Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.
Scholarships
ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.
Find a scholarshipCareer Opportunities
This course prepares you for a range of entry-level human services positions requiring counselling in both family and community services and in youth work. Employers of counselling graduates include Local, State and Federal Government, national charities, local community and private organisations.
Possible future job titles
Entry-Level Counsellor, Client Liaison, Community Worker, Family Welfare Officer, Human Service Worker, Mental Health Worker, Pastoral Roles
Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.
Fees and Scholarships
Fees
- AUD $38,850 - International students estimated 1st year indicative fee 1
Note
1 The 'estimated 1st year indicative fee' is provided as a guide only, and has been calculated based on a typical enrolment of students undertaking the first year of this course. At ECU, you pay for each individual unit you enrol in, not an overall course fee, so the total cost of your course will vary, depending on what units you choose. An indicative fee will be provided with your course offer, however you can use our Course Fee Calculator to estimate the actual amount you'll need to pay. ECU fees are adjusted annually.
Some units require the payment of a fee for incidental goods or services required to complete those units. For more information and the full list of incidental fees for courses and units, visit What are Incidental Fees.
Scholarships
ECU has a scholarship program that provides many opportunities each year to students undertaking studies here.
Find a scholarshipCareer Opportunities
This course prepares you for a range of entry-level human services positions requiring counselling in both family and community services and in youth work. Employers of counselling graduates include Local, State and Federal Government, national charities, local community and private organisations.
Possible future job titles
Entry-Level Counsellor, Client Liaison, Community Worker, Family Welfare Officer, Human Service Worker, Mental Health Worker, Pastoral Roles
Courses you can consider if you are interested in progressing further in this area.
Need some help deciding what to study?
Our future student events include a mix of on-campus and online sessions designed to help you decide what to study at ECU.
Creative thinkers start here
Explore your options
Explore your options through the following media
Creative thinkers start here
Explore your options
Explore your options through the following media
Quick guide to uni-speak
-
-
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.
-
ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.
-
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.
-
A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.
-
Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.
-
If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.
-
-
-
If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.
Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.
-
Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.
-
A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.
-
We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.
-
These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.
-
An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.
-
Quick guide to uni-speak
-
-
The Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) is the national regulator of qualifications in the Australian education and training system. The AQF defines the essential characteristics, including the required learning outcomes, of the different types of qualifications issued across the higher education systems in Australia.
-
ATAR is the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank, the primary criterion for entry into most undergraduate university courses in Australia. The ATAR is a percentile score which denotes a student's ranking relative to their state-wide peers upon completion of their secondary education.
-
CRICOS is the Commonwealth Register of Institutions and Courses for Overseas Students. A CRICOS code is allocated to education institutions (like ECU) who are approved to recruit, enrol and deliver education to overseas students. Courses with a CRICOS code are available to international students who meet the entry requirements.
-
A major, or unit set, is your chosen area of in-depth study in an undergraduate course. It usually involves 8 units of study, or one-third of the units in a 3-year degree. Talk to your Student Information Office if you need help choosing a major subject.
-
Minors include between 4 and 6 study units in a specific discipline. Not all courses require you to complete a minor. Your minor subject doesn't appear on your printed degree (parchment), but is part of your academic transcript.
-
If you're enrolled in 3 or more units in a semester this is considered full-time study. To complete most 3-year degrees studying full-time you'll need to complete 4 units per semester, i.e. 24 units over 3 years.
-
-
-
If a course is available to study part-time you can generally expect it to take twice as long to complete as it would in full-time mode. Part-time students are enrolled in 1 or 2 units maximum per semester.
Note: International students who hold a student visa can only choose the full-time study option for our courses. This is to ensure the course is completed within the duration of the student visa.
-
Most courses start in Semester 1 each year, usually in the last week of February. Some courses can be started in Semester 2 (we call this mid-year). There's a week of Orientation before each semester to help you get used to uni life.
-
A lot of our courses start in Semester 2 each year, usually in the last week of July. We call this mid-year. There's a week of Orientation beforehand to help you get used to uni life.
-
We use a points system to make it easier for you to understand your study progress. Most Bachelors degree study units are allocated 15 credit points. If you're studying a 3-year full-time degree you'll need to successfully complete 360 credit points - that's 24 units x 15 points per unit.
-
These are compulsory units you have to successfully complete as part of your course.
-
An elective is a unit you choose to study that counts towards your course requirements, but isn't compulsory. For some courses we recommend elective units. In some situations, a course coordinator may approve an elective unit as a replacement for a compulsory one.
-
Do you have any questions about the Bachelor of Counselling?
The Important Things
Things you should know about if you're thinking about studying here.
Course Entry
There's more than one admission pathway into an ECU course. It depends on what you've studied already, or your work or life experience.
Fees & Scholarships
Course tuition fees can change, but we can give you an estimate of your costs. If you're eligible, a scholarship or student loan can help too.
Applying
Applying for a course is a fairly simple process, especially if you have scanned copies of qualifications, your resume or other paperwork, ready to upload.
ECU Experience
Starting a course is an exciting and sometimes daunting time, so we make a massive effort to ensure you get all the support you need to have a positive experience.