Victoria University
Graduate Certificate in Counselling Theory and Practice
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 6 months
Develop foundational counselling skills while keeping your day job.
Course overview
The Graduate Certificate in Counselling Theory and Practice will help you gain a solid grounding in the theories, practices and principles of counselling and understand how social systems impact well-being.
You will build your confidence through role plays and class activities by practising counselling techniques. You will explore rapport-building with clients, including children and adolescents, learning to establish a positive environment where counselling can succeed. You will also develop skills for assessing client needs and formulating individual plans. These skills will allow you to progress in any organisation where effective listening and communication are valued.
Key facts
What you will study
Students must complete 48 credit points of core studies to attain the Graduate Certificate in Counselling Theory and Practice.
Core units
- Foundations of Counselling
- Counselling Theories and Interventions
- Counselling across the Lifespan
- Foundations of Child and Adolescent Counselling
Entry requirements
Completion of an Australian Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline
Special entry programs
You may be eligible for one of our special admission programs if you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have completed your studies at another university or institution, you may be eligible to receive credit for skills and past studies.
Units can be credited if they are part of the course structure you are applying for. Please note that credits relating to prior VU subjects are automatically granted and no further action is required.
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of human development and a diverse range of human experiences and how they may impact wellbeing.
- Critically review counselling theories and contemporary professional literature to formulate and implement evidence-based counselling practice.
- Exemplify understanding of cultural and systemic considerations relevant to counselling practice, including interprofessional relations.
- Appraise and demonstrate advanced knowledge of psychological theories and therapeutic approaches relevant to counselling assessments, case formulations and interventions.
- Formulate evidence-based intervention plans for a range of counselling presentations with due consideration of psychosocial and cultural issues.
Career outcomes
Counselling skills translate to many professional roles that involve social interaction. University graduates in all fields will be able to add this certificate to their skills and qualifications to improve employability.
Examples of roles where this qualification and accompanying skills would be valued include:
- Human Resource Roles
- Wellbeing Officers
- Primary and Secondary Teaching
- Government Agencies
- Community Centres
- A Diverse Range of Well-being Service Organisations
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative fee for full-time student in 2025: $14,400 per semester (domestic full-fee paying place)
The tuition fee is calculated based on four units of study or 48 credit points.
The fees depend on the number of units you study and whether you are eligible for Advanced Standing, which is assessed after you submit your application.
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.
