Bachelor of Counselling

All applicants who endeavour to submit an application must meet the general admission requirements.

All domestic candidates must be Christian and 17 years or older.

Applicants must confess their faith in Christ under the PBC Statement of Faith, be involved regularly in a local church, demonstrate a desire to be involved in church ministry, demonstrate the physical and psychological capacity for studying in a tertiary institution, agree to abide by PBC policies and procedures and agree to abide by the Student Code of Conduct.

Before applying, please ensure you have:

• A Unique Student Identifier number (USI). If you don’t have one, you can apply here. To find your number, click here.
• A colour PDF of your birth certificate, passport, and permanent resident visa (or a certified copy)
• A digital passport-style image
• A colour PDF of previous academic transcripts and certificates of completion(or a certified copy)
• A page or two detailing your testimony, including how you became a Christian and why you believe the Lord would have you train for Christian life and service at PBC
• Contact information for two chosen referees
• Contact information for your Pastor/Leader.

When you have all the required supporting information for your application, please apply online here.

In combination with meeting the general admission requirements Overseas students must also provide:

• Evidence of English Proficiency (for more information, please scroll down)
• A medical certificate verifying you are fit for studying at a higher education institution
• $500 AUD application fee.

When you have all the required supporting information for your application, please apply for an undergraduate course online here.

Please note, the Bachelor of Counselling course offered in partnership with the Australian College of Christian Studies is governed by ACCS’s admissions requirements.

Please click here to learn more about the Bachelor of Counselling admission requirements. Please apply online here if you intend to apply for the Bachelor of Counselling.

For postgraduate courses, if you are a domestic student, please apply here.

For overseas students, please apply here.

The course is based on nine trimesters (each ten week duration), with a maximum of three units taught in each trimester. It comprises of:

• 16 core units
• 4 majors in counselling
• 2 electives
• 2 counselling practicum units

Each unit carries three credit points, and graduates require a total of 72 credit points to successfully complete the course.

Core Units

Biblical Interpretation Theory and Practice (TB7103)

This is an ACCS unit only.

How do we apply the Bible today? What does this passage really mean? How should I approach the Bible?

These are common questions for anyone who reads God’s Word.

This unit not only helps to answer these questions but also provides a foundation for all biblical study. It equips students to analyse and interpret the Bible responsibly and creatively by bridging the gap between the world of the Bible and our modern world.

In this unit, we look at different approaches to Scripture, the background of Scripture, how we, as interpreters, are involved in constructing meaning, and how we can effectively apply the message of an ancient book to our world and lives today.

This unit lies at the heart of all biblical and systematic theological studies. Thus, it integrates with all New Testament, Old Testament, and systematic theological subjects.

Counselling Practicum A (SC7316)

This is an ACCS unit only.

This SIB unit guide is supplemented with the SC7316/7317 Counselling Practicum A and B Booklet.

Students must do 50 hours of client counselling experience and 13 hours of supervision per counselling practicum unit.

When students have completed both practicum units, they will have accrued 100 hours of client counselling and 25 hours of supervision.

Students may be able to accrue additional hours in their practicum placement, which will aid them in higher levels of registration with ACA or PACFA. However, no additional hours are required to pass the practicum units.

Counselling Practicum B (SC7317)

This is an ACCS unit only.

This SIB unit guide is supplemented with the SC7316/7317 Counselling Practicum A and B Booklet. Students must do 50 hours of client counselling experience and 13 hours of supervision per counselling practicum unit.

When students have completed both practicum units, they will have accrued 100 hours of client counselling and 25 hours of supervision.

Students may be able to accrue additional hours in their practicum placement, which will aid them in higher levels of registration with ACA or PACFA. However, no extra hours are required to pass the practicum units.

Counselling Skills 1 (SC7102)

This is an ACCS unit only.

Counselling Skills 1 is an opportunity to learn some foundation skills.

These micro-skills will help to build a therapeutic relationship with clients. It will also be an opportunity to start to be reflective in your own practice, which is an important skill to maintain for your own mental health and self-care and increase your ability to be congruent with clients.

Counselling Skills 2

This is an ACCS unit only.

Counselling Skills 2 is an opportunity to learn some foundation skills.

These micro-skills will help to build a therapeutic relationship with clients. It will also be an opportunity to start to be reflective in your own practice, which is an important skill to maintain for your own mental health and self-care and increase your ability to be congruent with clients.

Counselling Theory and Practice (SC7107)

This is an ACCS unit only.

Christian counselling equips us to engage meaningfully with people in the light of the message of the gospel.

This unit will present and explore several foundational models to the understanding and practice of pastoral counselling.

They will include psychological, anthropological, theological and counselling theories and models. This will enable students to develop pastoral counselling relationships that are informed, supportive, at times graciously challenging and always hopeful.

Critical Thinking and Writing Skills (TA7101)

This is an ACCS unit only.

This unit helps to prepare students to achieve the required academic standard by focusing on essential study processes and communication skills.

Studying a higher education course involves the application of productive self-learning strategies, sound analytical skills, constructive research methods, effective reading and note-taking methods and good writing and speaking skills.

Grief and Loss Counselling

Human Lifespan Development

Introduction to Christian Theology (TS7102)

This is an ACCS unit only.

Introduction to Theology gives the student the big picture of God’s involvement with humanity and the world and an opportunity to consider their faith’s foundation carefully.

We will consider important questions such as:

• What is truth, and how can we understand and know God?
• Who is God, and how are we designed in his image?
• What is the effect of sin on God’s design for creation?
• Who was Jesus, and how do his life and work affect us today?
• Who is the Holy Spirit, and how is he involved with us now?
• What is the church’s charter in the world today, and what is our unique role within it?
• How will this world end, and what lies beyond?

This subject takes a person’s Biblical knowledge, which is often compartmentalised and places it in a broad theological framework. This allows students to think more clearly and wider about issues in ministry and everyday life.

The subject doesn’t only detail and describe the foundations of the Christian faith but places the major theological themes of the Bible into the living drama of a gracious covenantal God.

This provides the student with a more precise perspective of God’s involvement with them in everyday life.

Introduction to Marriage and Family Counselling (SC7103)

This is an ACCS unit only.

This unit deals with human sexuality, marriage and family life.

Human sexuality, marriage and family sets us apart from the animals. It is exactly in the domain of sexuality and relationships that the dignity of humanity is the most clearly expressed.

Our sexuality calls us beyond ourselves to a whole, secure, healthy and intimate relationship with another human being. Marriage and family issues present an ideal opportunity to show how the gospel can affect lives for the good.

Our marriages and family relationships can become showcases of the grace of God. It does not mean we must present ourselves as ‘getting it right’ in our marriages and families. But we can meet the world as people who have tasted something great and thus cannot settle for anything less.

The hope that we can offer people in the light of our understanding of God’s vision for our marriages and families can transform lives and relationships.

Introduction to Marriage and Family Counselling (SC7103)

This is an ACCS unit only.

This unit introduces students to describe the key principles of psychology and how theories and research found in cognitive, developmental and social psychology can inform the practice of counselling.

Marriage and Family Therapies

Professional Ethics

Psychological Disorders

Self Care (SC7303)

ACCS unit only.

Ministering to the deep emotional and spiritual needs of others is a great privilege. It also provides many opportunities for the development of those ministering.

As practitioners promote and invest in the transformation of the lives of others, they must also invest in the time, support and care of their own lives. Caring professionals often suffer the impact of ‘compassion fatigue,’ burnout or ‘vicarious traumatisation.’ Therefore, the art of self-care and developing the tools required for maintaining emotional, spiritual and physical wellbeing need to be identified and practised early in one’s career.

A solid foundation for self-care is essential to training those preparing for caring professions. This unit offers prospective and current practitioners the educational elements required to develop and enhance healthy self-care practices.

The classes will include exercises to cultivate effective reflective and reflexive practice, consider learned coping patterns and deepen awareness of the biblical and theological aspects of rest.

Spiritual Foundations (MP7105)

This is an ACCS unit only.

Growth, maturity and discipleship are all vital components of the Christian life, and all denominations have spiritual traditions designed to encourage believers down this path.

What these traditions (at their best) have in common is a desire to participate joyfully and fully in the Holy Spirit’s work in and through us, individually and corporately.

Most of us, however, have limited exposure to how men and women delight in, pursue, share, worship – and are shaped by – God.

This unit explores a wide range of these pathways to expand our understanding of spirituality and discipleship.

We all may ask questions regarding our relationship with God.

• How can I grow in my spiritual life?
• Is there any way I can appreciate God’s work in the world profoundly?
• How can I engage in a deeper way with Christians whose traditions are different to my own? How can I live an authentic and coherent Christian life?

This unit shows the differing ways in which Christians approach these issues.

Worldviews and Counselling (SC7108)

This is an ACCS unit only.

This unit outlines various worldviews and examines their implication for a Christian counsellor.

Ministry Units

Addiction Counselling (SC7307)

This is an ACCS unit only.

This subject will help students to understand the struggles clients have with addictions, how counsellors can help with these issues and when it may be necessary to refer to other therapists who may have more client resources.

Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy (SC7207)

This is an ACCS unit only.

This unit introduces students to the theoretical and philosophical foundations of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy, Dialectical Behaviour Therapy and Emotion Focused Therapy, including the major factors underpinning change.

Cross-Cultural Counselling

Narrative Therapy and Positive Psychology

Elective Units

Chaplaincy Processes (CP602, CP702)

Chaplaincy is a unique profession, ministering to the deep spiritual needs of others. This unit offers prospective and current practitioners the opportunity to develop an informed praxis for chaplaincy in various settings.

There is a dynamic interrelation between theology and praxis that links biblical truths with spiritual care. A rich theological understanding of God’s salvific intervention in the world informs the chaplaincy process and the chaplain’s unique role. This unit will be a journey of discovery in understanding how chaplains minister in this current place in the history of God’s salvation and redemption and how to assist others to know spiritual wholeness in the midst of distress, disease and the end-of-life phase.

An integrated model with a foundational understanding of people as spiritual and emotional beings and bearers of the image of God will inform and empower the processes of chaplaincy.

The unit will therefore reflect on the unique role of the chaplain, pastoral care as an active ministry, and how one may deliver the hope, love and vision of Christ to others.

Counselling and Pastoral Care for the Ageing (CP606, CP706)

As more Australians live into old age, pastors and chaplains increasingly require an understanding of the pastoral needs of older people. This unit considers ageing and the care of the elderly from a theological perspective, identifying where that differs from cultural expectations and lived experience.

This unit considers various Australian ministry contexts with older people and their families. This may be the pastoral care within a church congregation or the care shown to a friend or neighbour in the community. It could also be a ministry to reach out to older people living in their homes or residential aged care facilities.

This is a practical unit, so students will benefit from engaging with ageing people to understand their perspectives on issues raised in the unit. This may be through conversations with elderly family members, neighbours, members of the local congregation or through engagement with an aged care service provider.

Counselling Children

Crisis Intervention and Trauma Counselling (CL7308)

This is an ACCS unit only.

A crisis is unexpected, sudden and extreme. It may happen to anyone, and if not handled well, may lead to significant mental health issues.

Crisis intervention and responding to trauma are therefore unique as they aim to reduce the effects on long-term mental health and personal well-being.

This unit will provide a sound understanding of the skills, strategies and techniques for counselling traumatised people and applying knowledge and skills in practical situations.

A theological response to trauma and crisis will be explored together with the role of the counsellor in a range of contexts.

Managing our own and the client’s emotional response whilst supporting clients through difficulties may result in seeing beauty arise from the ashes.

Missional Chaplaincy (ACCS) (CL7309)

This is an ACCS unit only.

Chaplains serve in a range of environments providing caring services. It is the function of caring that enables chaplains to engage people with the mission of God.

This unit develops a theology of care for a Western Culture environment. The unit will relate a theology of care to the practice of chaplaincy and address resources appropriate to the context.

Pastoral Counselling as Community Care (CO603, CO703)

Pastoral counselling does not occur in a vacuum. It occurs in a particular context – a church, a school, a para-church organisation or in more specialised agencies. It also exists within a specific community and cultural context.

People’s challenges and struggles also occur within particular contexts.

This unit will help the student to develop the understanding and skills needed for pastoral counselling and care in their particular community, cultural and practical ministry contexts.

Pastoral Counselling in a Christian Context (CO602, CO702, PA604, PA704)

In this unit, students will develop and practise pastoral counselling models shaped by theological thinking, the social sciences and ministry contexts.

Students will learn to work through several counselling models through practicum and role-play. After developing the skills to move through the models step by step, they will then be encouraged to use them more flexibly and contextualise the models to specific case studies.

In the first instance, the Christian context being referred to is developing and practising counselling models informed by a Christian perspective and worldview. Secondly, referring to the vocational contexts, a pastoral counsellor may be working in.

Studying Theology in an Australian Context (CE505)

Studying Theology in an Australian Context will help equip ESL/EFL students for the study of theology and ministry subjects in English.

The unit focuses on learning theological and ministry terms in English, by reading English theological/ministry texts.

Students will also practise communication of theological terms and basic concepts—reading, writing, speaking and listening. Students will be introduced to the Australian context to help bridge cultural gaps that may hinder learning. These skills will help prepare students for theological/ministry study in Australia and communicate their knowledge to others.

This is an elective course.

Elective units include other approved Bible, Theology, Counselling, Chaplaincy or Ministry subjects. To know if a specific unit is approved for the Bachelor of Counselling course, please contact PBC.

Course Completion

Students may exit the course at any moment and receive a Statement of Attainment with a list of all the completed units.

When a student completes all the course requirements, they will be awarded the Bachelor of Counselling. For more information on the Bachelor of Counselling, please see https://www.ccs.edu.au/counselling-3/bachelor-of-counselling/.

CRICOS Course Details

CRICOS Code: 0101040
CRICOS Provider: Australian College of Christian Studies
CRICOS Provider Code: 03375M

Recognition of Prior Learning

The Australian College of Christian Studies will assess Recognition of Prior Learning on a case-by-case basis.

If you would like to apply for RPL, please inform the College at the time of applying. For more information on this, please see ACCS’s Advanced Standing Policy and Procedure.

Current cross-crediting arrangements

There is an agreement between PBC and ACCS to allow approved PBC units to be completed as special counselling electives as part of the Bachelor of Counselling.