Key facts
UNE unit code: HSCS441
*You are viewing the 2026 version of this unit which may be subject to change in future.
- Year Long 1 - Online
- Year Long 2 - Online
- Yes
- No
- No
- 12
Unit information
Practical experience is integral to your counselling education, extending your competence and mastery of counselling skills with real-world experience with the varied clients you will encounter in professional practice.
Your placement involves 40 hours of direct client contact, 10 hours of clinical supervision and a further 150 hours of agency-based activities.
For this unit you are required to organise your placement and obtain approval in advance from the unit coordinator.
All settings require that you undergo a Working with Children and/or Criminal Record Check prior to commencing.
Offerings
For further information about UNE's teaching periods, please go to Principal Dates.
| Teaching period | Mode/location |
|---|---|
| Year Long 1 | Online |
| Year Long 2 | Online |
*Offering is subject to availability
Intensive schools
There are no intensive schools required for this unit.
Enrolment rules
Notes
Students must have secured their own placement and have had this placement approved by the unit coordinator, to be enrolled in this unit.
The placement progresses over two trimesters. It involves 200 hours of agency work, comprised of 40 hours of direct client contact, 10 hours of clinical supervision and 150 hours of immersion in day to day agency-based activities, allowing students to learn about policies, processes and contexts associated with health promotion and working within a team, in an organisation that offers counselling.
The unit also requires time for journaling, maintaining logs and completing assignments.
Please refer to the student handbook for current details on this unit.
Unit coordinator(s)
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this unit, students will be able to:
- negotiate, plan and implement an appropriate supervised counselling placement learning contract;
- undertake direct counselling work demonstrating a high level of personal autonomy and accountability;
- demonstrate a high level of reflexivity and engage effectively in clinical and agency-based supervision;
- engage in agency-based activities in line with wider policies, procedures and contexts;
- apply a model of moral decision making to an ethical dilemma in a counselling context;
- draw on theory to case-conceptualise and develop a treatment plan for a client on placement;
- engage in professional counselling activities which extend their mastery of counselling skills; and
- enhance their counselling practice and professional development through supervision, critical reflection and referral.
Assessment information
Assessments are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
| Title | Must Complete | Weight | Offerings | Assessment Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Assessment 1 | Yes | 20% | All offerings | Learning Plan No. Words: 2500 |
| Assessment 2 - Assurance Task | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Mid-placement presentations. 1. Ethical dilemma 20%. 2. Case conceptualisation 20%. No. Words: 1250 per presentation PLUS review of Learning Plan 500 words
|
| Assessment 3 - Assurance Task | Yes | 40% | All offerings | Final placement interview, report and journal No. Words: 3500
|
Learning resources
Textbooks are subject to change up to 8 weeks prior to the start of the teaching period in which you are undertaking the unit.
Textbook information will be displayed approximately 8 weeks prior to the commencement of the teaching period. Please note that textbook requirements may vary from one teaching period to the next.
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Studying online
At UNE we know it takes more than just being online to be a great online university. It takes time and experience. We pioneered distance education for working adults back in the 1950s, so we’ve been doing this longer than any other Australian university.
We understand the challenges faced by busy adults studying at home. We know that a vital part of online study is your engagement with the learning community. Communication with your classmates, teaching staff and university support staff will enhance your study experience and ensure that your skills extend beyond the subject matter. UNE’s teaching staff are experts in their field which is why UNE consistently receives five stars from students for teaching quality, support and overall experience.*
*The Good Universities Guide
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