University of Southern Queensland
Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Child, Youth and Family Therapy)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 12 months
Offers an in-depth exploration of therapeutic strategies tailored to young people and families, blending theory with practical insights to prepare graduates for impactful, relationship-centred practice.
Course overview
With UniSQ’s Graduate Diploma of Counselling (Child, Youth and Family Therapy), you will gain knowledge and expertise to assist couples and families. Learn to assess a couple’s or family’s needs and provide an appropriate intervention and articulate engagement strategies. Examine the specific methods of engagement and intervention with child and youth clients, including developmental considerations for intervention and child abuse prevention.
While the study is mainly online, you must attend mandatory residential schools at UniSQ 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 and Professional accreditation
A UniSQ Graduate Diploma of Counselling enables you to apply for membership with the Australian Counselling Association. However, if you wish to gain professional accreditation and practice as a counsellor, USQ recommends that you study for a Master of Counselling. You may be eligible to transfer to the Master of Counselling once you have completed 50 per cent of the Graduate Diploma of Counselling (which must include two Foundation of Practice courses).
Key facts
What you will study
To complete this degree, students must take eight units. Each course is worth one unit.
Core courses
- Counselling Skills and Applications
- Counselling Frameworks
- Counselling and Diversity Across the Lifespan
- Professional Counselling Practice, Identity and Ethics
- Presenting Issues and Mental Health
Specialisation courses
- Working with Addiction
- Couple and Family Counselling
- Child and Youth Counselling
Entry requirements
A bachelor's degree from a recognised university.
English language requirements
You must meet the applicable English language requirements. This degree requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This will help reduce the number of courses you need to take to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply a core body of knowledge, including contemporary theories and models central to counselling assessment and client-centred therapy that is both trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.
- Effectively utilise a range of advanced interpersonal, written, oral and digital literacy skills that are appropriate from a decolonising perspective when communicating with culturally diverse audiences, including clients and professionals, utilising person-first language.
- Apply critical reasoning, reflective practice and professional and ethical judgement with initiative to identify and resolve a range of therapeutic, professional, legal and ethical practice issues.
- Consolidate theory and practice within a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, integrative framework to effectively provide counselling within diverse cultural and practice contexts and client groups.
- Utilise relevant research literature, methodologies and findings to inform practice development and decision-making processes.
Career outcomes
As a graduate, you will be equipped to specialise in counselling, case management, wellbeing and youth work skills within a child, youth and family therapy career.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $28,320 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The indicative annual fee is based on a study load of eight units.
A student’s annual fee may vary per:
- The number of courses studied.
- Choice of courses.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
