Graduate Certificate in Counselling

Entry Requirements

Satisfactorily completed
an AQF 7 award

Study Mode

Face-to-face
Livestream
Online

Pathway

Graduate Diploma of Counselling
Master of Counselling

Duration

Full time: 2 trimesters
Part time: 4 trimesters

Career Options

AQF level

Level 8

Course details

CRICOS Provider Code: 02948J | CRICOS Course Code: 114819J

The Graduate Certificate in Counselling is designed for those who hold an undergraduate qualification and who wish to pursue a graduate qualification in counselling to enhance their professional work. Graduates will be equipped with advanced theoretical knowledge and practice–based counselling skills that can be applied to various professional and pastoral counselling contexts.

This course is delivered with a Christian ethos in mind at all times and also aims to promote the study of the whole person.

Perth Bible College (PBC) is a member institution of Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD) and offers its Graduate Certificate in Counselling.

Admission to the Graduate Certificate in Counselling requires:

  • hold a three-year AQF 7 counselling award or equivalent, such as the Bachelor of Counselling; OR
  • Hold a three-year AQF 7 award in a discipline other than counselling; OR
  • Qualify for professional entry as determined by the Student Support and Administration Committee; AND
  • Satisfactorily completes a pre-enrolment interview with a relevant course advisor.

English Proficiency: Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 in all bands of the test.

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 (2 non-related Christian referees who have known you for at least 2 years).
  • Contact information for your Pastor/Leader.

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

The Graduate Certificate in Counselling is a higher education award provided by Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD).

CRICOS Provider Code: 02948J
CRICOS Course Code: 114819J

The Graduate Certificate in Counselling requires the completion of 36 credit points (4 units).

The number of compulsory units required for each applicant varies based on their entry point. The details of the different compulsory units can be found in the Graduate Certificate in Counselling Regulation.

  • C8101 Human Development and Counselling
  • C8104 Fundamentals of Counselling Theories and Practice
  • C8105 Advanced Counselling Theory and Practice I
  • C8106 Fundamentals of Psychology
  • C8145 Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss and Trauma
  • C8150 Child and Adolescent Counselling
  • C8154 Relationship Counselling
  • C8156 Family Counselling
  • C8166 Wellbeing and Resilience for People Helpers
  • C8153 Human Sexuality in the Helping Professions
  • C9222 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP)
  • C9223 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
  • C9229 Ethical Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling

FAQ

Enrolment

Enrolment process

Before the beginning of each trimester, each student shall apply for enrolment by completing and lodging an enrolment form, obtainable from the Admin Office or via Moodle (PBC awards only).

The Dean of Students and the Dean of Studies will arrange enrolment appointment days for enrolling new and returning students. These meetings will allow each student to receive advice on which units to enrol in, ensuring they will meet the requirements of their course.

Enrolment forms must be completed before attending lectures for that trimester. All enrolments must be finalised by the census date. Students cannot add new units or transfer between units after the census date.

Students may apply to change their course enrolment at the beginning of a new trimester up until the census date.

Students must complete an Application for Change of Enrolment form to make such an application. Students must meet the requirements outlined in the Course Articulation and Change of Course Policy to qualify to change course enrolment.

Deferment

PBC may permit the deferral of a course enrolment of a student in some circumstances, as outlined in the Enrolment – Domestic Students Policy and Enrolment – Overseas Students Policy.

Fees and charges

PBC’s most current fee structure can be found on the Course Fees page.

Academic requirements

Please carefully read the academic requirements as listed on the award that you are interested in pursuing.

English Language Proficiency

The Australian Government requires incoming overseas students to demonstrate their proficiency in English before a student visa will be granted. You are required to complete an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) assessment unless you can provide evidence of studying in English from one of the following options:

  • At least five years of study in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or
  • Successful completion in Australia of a foundation course, Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or a substantial part of a Certificate IV or higher-level qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework, within two years of your application date.

The applicant should ask the IELTS testing authority to mail the test results directly to The Dean of Students, PBC. The following standards are the English language requirements for PBC courses:

CourseIELTS Band Score
Undergraduate Diploma6.0 overall and in the reading and writing subsets.
Associate Degree6.0 overall and in the reading and writing subsets.
Bachelor Degree6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subset.
Graduate Diploma7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each subset.
Master Degree7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each subset.

Student and Campus Services

Student support is an important aspect at PBC.

We take our students’ success in their studies seriously and understand that good student support requires a holistic approach. As a result of our commitment to our students, we have consistently been ranked above 90% for the student support aspect in the national Student Experience Survey facilitated by the QILT team.

Read more about Student and Campus Services.

Additional Information

Access and equity

PBC does not discriminate in the admission and access to its programs and activities based on disability, age, sex, race, colour of national or ethnic origin.

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