Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care
Why study the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care at UNE?
The Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care provides basic professional training in counselling skills and theory to enable graduates to work in a range of counselling contexts. Emphasis is given to producing counsellors who are self-reflective and committed to lifelong learning in the areas of human development and counselling processes. This award incorporates the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice, which is designed to equip health professionals to support people with mental health issues and their carers.
You do not need to be currently working as a counsellor to undertake this Award.
Note: Trimester 3 (Rule (a)(b)): Off Campus Part-time Only
Career Opportunities
This is basic professional training which equips people to work in welfare, health, education (independent school), and private practice settings.
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Degree Snapshot
DURATION
1 Year Full-timeUp to 4 years Part-time
FEES
CSP (quotas apply) or Full Fee2013 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale
Trimester 1, Off CampusTrimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 3, Off Campus
How to Apply
Domestic Students
All domestic students apply direct to UNE. This course is only available off-campus (distance education).
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| Official Abbreviation | GradDipCounsHlthSocCare | ||||||||||||
| Course Type | Postgraduate | ||||||||||||
| Commencing |
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| Course Duration |
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| Fees | CSP (quotas apply) or Full Fee | ||||||||||||
| Total Credit Points | 48 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits | Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice on completion of HSMH421, HSMH422, HSMH423 and HSMH424. Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care. |
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| How to apply |
All domestic students apply direct to UNE. This course is only available off-campus (distance education). For more information, click here |
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| Intensive Schools | Mandatory Intensive schools are a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements. |
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| Entry Requirements | A candidate shall: (a) hold a bachelor degree of a recognised University; or (b) satisfy the School by means of other qualifications and relevant experience of adequate preparation for candidature; or (c) hold the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice of the University of New England. |
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| Additional Requirements | All candidates in the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice; the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care; or Master of Counselling enrolling in HSMH421 or HSMH422 or HSMH423 or HSMH424 for the first time are required to attend a Mandatory Introductory Intensive School to be held in Armidale. Students are only required to attend this weekend only once when they first enrol in these awards. Students enrolled in other awards are welcome to attend but it is non-mandatory in this instance. |
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| Advanced Standing | For candidates admitted under rule (a), the maximum advanced standing that may be granted is 24 credit points, for units that have been successfully completed towards a postgraduate qualification at this or another university or Higher Education Provider. Each application is individually assessed and is only available for postgraduate study that has a strong correspondence with the units prescribed for this degree. Applicants must provide extensive documentation to support their application for advanced standing in a unit. Candidates admitted under rule (c) will not receive any advanced standing, as this has been taken into account in the nested award structure. |
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| Academic Colours |
Old Rose (BCC 157) |
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| Further Information | 
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE |
Admission to Candidature
A candidate shall:
(a) hold a bachelor degree of a recognised University; or
(b) satisfy the School by means of other qualifications and relevant experience of adequate preparation for candidature; or
(c) hold the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice of the University of New England.
Advanced Standing
For candidates admitted under rule (a), the maximum advanced standing that may be granted is 24 credit points, for units that have been successfully completed towards a postgraduate qualification at this or another university or Higher Education Provider. Each application is assessed individually and is only available for postgraduate study that has a strong correspondence with the units prescribed for this degree. Applicants must provide extensive documentation to support their application for advanced standing in a unit.
Candidates admitted under Rule (c) will not receive any advanced standing, as this has been taken into account in the nested award structure.
Period of Candidature
For candidates admitted under Rule (a) or (b) the period of candidature shall be:
(a) one year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.
For candidates admitted under Rule (c) the period of candidature shall be:
(a) up to two years as a part-time candidate.
Course Requirements
To qualify for the award, and except with the permission of the School, a candidate must pass unit to the value of 48 credit points, including 30 credit points at 400-level and 18 credit points at 500-level.
Program of Study
Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:
For candidates admitted under Rule (a) or (b)
| Course Structure | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Core Units | 48 cps |
| Total | 48 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
For candidates admitted under Rule (c)
| Course Structure | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Block Advanced Standing | 24 cps |
| Core Units | 24 cps |
| Total | 48 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
Award of Degree
Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care.
Exit Pathways
Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice on completion of HSMH421, HSMH422, HSMH423 and HSMH424.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care.
Improper Conduct
Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.
| Course Aims |
This course aims to equip students with basic counselling skills. It also aims to equip health professionals to support people with mental health issues. |
| Learning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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| Graduate Attributes |
Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the discipline of counselling will be taught through guided commentaries and specific questions based on them, set readings, and podcasts. It will be assessed and practised through various types of assessments.
Communication Skills
The basis of counselling is having good communication skills. Students will be taught to listen well and to communicate clearly with their clients. In written work students will communicate, using well-organised and logical arguments, the ideas they have developed in studying the various units within the program. The assessment process will focus on the communication skills of the student and how well they articulate knowledge in the area of counselling theory and practice. Students will also participate in online discussions and so practise communicating their ideas with other students.
Global Perspectives
The course materials expose students to various international issues and are designed to improve students' awareness of their status as global citizens. Students learn a multicultural approach to the study of counselling and psychotherapy.
Information Literacy
Students will be assessed on their skills in obtaining appropriate information for the written assignments, using books, journals and online sources.
Life-Long Learning
Students will be encouraged to see their development as counsellors as part of a lifelong learning process. They will be encouraged to reflect on their clinical practice, have ongoing supervision, and continually improve their skills.
Problem Solving
Students apply their skills of information literacy to develop a written argument about a particular issue. Assessment tasks are designed to elicit the student's own responses to a particular problem, in order to help students to develop critical thinking.
Social Responsibility
Students are taught to consider their social responsibility. The practice of counselling is steeped in the values of social justice and students will be assessed in terms of their ability to help others whatever their circumstances.
Team Work
Teamwork is practised at Intensive Schools, and via the online environment. Students are taught this through unit materials and assessment tasks and through the online group activity, in considering practice and ethical issues and dilemmas.
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