University of Canberra
Graduate Diploma in Counselling
- Delivery: Online
- Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 16 months
Build advanced counselling knowledge and practical skills across counselling theory, ethics, diversity, trauma, loss and grief, with supervised practical experience through a counselling placement.
Course overview
The University of Canberra’s Graduate Diploma in Counselling builds on foundational counselling knowledge and develops the theoretical and practical skills required to work with people across a range of social and cultural contexts. You will examine major counselling approaches while developing skills in ethical practice, communication, professional conduct and working respectfully with people from diverse backgrounds.
As you progress through the course, you will extend your counselling skills through study in areas including loss, grief and trauma. The course combines theoretical learning with opportunities to apply counselling techniques and critically reflect on your developing professional practice.
Practical experience is incorporated through Placement A – Putting It All into Practice, completed at an approved counselling agency. The course includes one placement unit and refers to an eight-week placement, giving students an opportunity to apply their knowledge and skills in a professional counselling environment.
The course comprises 24 credit points across eight units and is designed for part-time online study. It is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) as a professional counselling qualification. Graduates may also continue into UC’s Master of Counselling by completing an additional four units.
Key facts
15th March, 2027
10th May, 2027
5th July, 2027
30th August, 2027
25th October, 2027
What you will study
The Graduate Diploma in Counselling encompasses eight units.
Core units
- Counselling Theory and Approaches
- Core Counselling Skills
- Principles of Ethical Conduct in Counselling
- Diversity Inclusion Respect
- Introduction to Placement and Supervision
- Counselling Skills in Practice
- Loss, Grief and Trauma in Counselling
- Placement A - Putting It All into Practice
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Graduate Diploma in Counselling, applicants must:
- Have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline.
- Meet the non-standard English language requirements for the course.
English language requirements
Applicants must achieve an IELTS Academic overall score of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0, or an approved equivalent.
Alternative or equivalent ways of meeting the English language requirements may also be accepted. Refer to the University of Canberra’s English proficiency requirements for further information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
This course is a professional qualification in counselling, offering a flexible pathway for entry-level 'helping professionals'. Studying in a supportive learning environment with a focus on skills development, students will:
- Learn the skills to identify challenges in the counselling field and implement ethical and realistic solutions
- Communicate knowledge, ideas and opinions effectively within a range of cultural and interdisciplinary contexts
- Gain an understanding of the principles of ethical and professional practice and respect all aspects of diversity
- Demonstrate a critical understanding of major theories, models and techniques specific to counselling
- Display a high level of understanding of major evidence-based research theory and current practices in the field of counselling and psychotherapy. With a focus on experiential learning, the student will be offered a counselling placement, participate in small group supervision and a five-day face-to-face residential.
Career outcomes
Build on foundational counselling skills through experiential practice that can be applied across a variety of organisations and teams. Career opportunities include:
- Relationship counsellor
- Financial counsellor
- Rehabilitation counsellor
- School counsellor
- Youth worker
- Family support worker
- Private practitioner
- Psychotherapist
Fees and FEE-HELP
Total indicative amount in 2027: $30,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
- Price per unit: $3,750
- Total course price: $30,000
The indicative amount to complete this course in 2027 is calculated based on the total course requirement of 24 credit points (8 units).
A student’s fee may vary depending on:
- The number of units studied per term.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Annual changes to tuition fees.
Students may also need to pay the Student Services and Amenities Fee.
Student fees are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm current fees.
FEE-HELP may be available to eligible domestic students enrolled in a full-fee paying place.
