Program Overview

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Bachelor of Arts (Major: Counselling)

Overview

The University of Notre Dame Australia offers a Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Counselling, a highly structured three-year program that provides the theoretical background and hands-on skills needed to be a successful practitioner in this complex and highly demanding environment.

Program Summary

Year One

• Development Psychology
• COUN1000 Theories and Approaches to Counselling
• COUN1010 Counselling Skills Training
• COUN3160 Counselling and High Prevalence Mental Health Disorders
• COUN6006 Case Studies/Placement/Supervision
• COUN3170 Professional Legal & Ethical Issues in Counselling

Years Two & Three

• TWO (2) counselling courses (to be chosen from the following):
  • COUN3004 Counselling Couples and Families
  • COUN2110 Trauma Counselling
  • COUN2150 Counselling Children and Adolescents
  • COUN3005 Counselling Older People
  • COUN2080 Counselling in the Area of Alcohol and Other Drugs
• Social Psychology
• Models of Psychological Intervention

Core Curriculum

• CORE I: Foundations of Wisdom
• CORE II: Elective
  • Electives in philosophy and/or theology
  • Professional embedded electives that integrate studies in a profession with philosophy and/or theology
  • An option to undertake a pilgrimage embedded in the study of the philosophy and theology of pilgrimage, e.g., World Youth Day
  • An option to undertake a course that integrates philosophy & theology with community service and charity work
  • An option to undertake an elective in philosophy, theology, and the liberal arts contained within an international experience

Plus 12 electives which may form another Major or Minor (undertaken during Years One, Two and/or Three).

Entry Requirements

NSW

• Academic requirements for this program are outlined below. In addition, to be eligible for admission, all applicants need to satisfy the Minimum University Admission Requirements outlined. These include those relating to minimum age and English Language Proficiency.
• We also consider your application more broadly – your non-academic achievements (such as any previous leadership roles, volunteering, work, church and/or community involvement) as well as personal qualities - your aspirations and interests and your capacity to complete your chosen program.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

• Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*
• OR
• Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score

Applicants with Higher Education

• Successful completion of 2 subjects at an undergraduate level or higher*
• OR
• Successful completion of the Notre Dame Tertiary Pathway Program (TPP), or a tertiary preparation program from another institution that is deemed to be of a similar academic rigour to the Notre Dame TPP

Applicants with Vocational Education and Training (VET) study

• Successful completion of AQF Certificate IV or higher from an accredited provider such as TAFE or a Registered Training Organisation (RTO)

Applicants with Work and Life Experience

• Applicants who left secondary education more than two years previously and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since may be considered for direct entry.
• This includes applicants who have completed Steiner, Montessori or home school curriculums.
• To qualify, applicants must be 20 years of age as at 1 March in the year of intake and meet one or more of the following:
  • Applicants who have completed at least two years of relevant work experience may be considered for direct entry.
  • Applicants must provide evidence of their work experience, including duties undertaken and years of experience, and they must demonstrate that they have the academic capability to undertake undergraduate studies.
  • The Special Tertiary Admissions Test (STAT) may be required*.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Bachelor of Arts graduates will be able to:

1. Demonstrate broad theoretical and practical knowledge, with depth in the underlying principles and concepts of one or more disciplines or practice areas
2. Identify appropriate sources and evaluate information
3. Demonstrate an awareness of different conceptual approaches and/or research methods
4. Demonstrate the technical skills, professional skills and ethical practice required by one or more disciplines
5. Synthesise knowledge and apply skills in order to solve complex problems
6. Communicate arguments and/or ideas in a range of forms
7. Work independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others; and
8. Reflect upon personal knowledge, skills and experiences.

Practical Component

200 hours of client contact of which 40 hours must be direct face to face counselling.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of this program can follow diverse career paths in the private and public sectors; many employers will welcome the transferable skills. This program prepares students for careers in trauma counselling, drug & alcohol counselling, and family counselling.

New students enrolling into the Counselling Major in 2024, please note that this major is not accredited, meaning it does not entitle students to register as a professional counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Students who commenced the Counselling Major before June 2023 will attain a qualification accredited by the ACA (Australian Counselling Association). The School of Arts and Sciences will be implementing a transition arrangement for students wishing to transfer into the planned Bachelor of Counselling program, with pending PACFA (Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia) accreditation being sought for Sydney Campus, 2025. The Fremantle Bachelor of Counselling degree is currently accredited with PACFA and does entitle students to register as a professional counsellor.

Real-World Experience

You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

Honours

An Honours award is available for this program. Further information can be found in the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) regulations, or by contacting the School of Arts & Sciences.

Opportunities and Experiences

At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education. We offer various opportunities for students to study abroad and become active global citizens. These opportunities include exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities.

Scholarships

Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

Fees and Costs

This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)

A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

International Full-Fee Paying

Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

Student Profile Data

ATAR and selection rank profile

The University of Notre Dame Australia offers clear and transparent information regarding ATAR and selection rank for domestic students beginning in Semester 1. This data includes the highest, median and lowest ranks required for admission to assist you in making informed study decisions.

Explore our detailed overview of ATAR offers and student profiles to find the ideal degree that matches your interests and aspirations.

View our ATAR and selection rank profile data.