Entry Requirements
Satisfactorily completed
an AQF 7 award
Study Mode
Face-to-face
Livestream
Online
Pathway
Master of Counselling
Duration
Full time: 1 year
Part time: 8 trimesters
Career Options
AQF level
Level 8
Course details
CRICOS Provider Code: 02948J | CRICOS Course Code: 114820E
The Graduate Diploma of Counselling is a comprehensive Christian counselling course that empowers Perth Bible College (PBC) students to develop a range of counselling skills and practices across different counselling areas. This course is delivered with a Christian ethos in mind at all times. It also aims to promote the study of the whole person. Objectives include learning how to work in varied settings and with diverse groups of clients, with a curriculum that emphasises well-developed personal competencies and foundational knowledge that can be applied in their current role, or to a career as a professional counsellor.
The course is offered in a blended delivery setting and highlights the importance of cultural awareness, as well as person-centred approaches. Students will learn the necessary modalities required to deliver effective counselling, and will also be guided in developing their own professional development.
Students not only receive a postgraduate qualification that can support their career in a number of professional settings, but they also receive the required eligibility for professional counselling association membership through the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Perth Bible College (PBC) is a Member Institution of Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD) and offers its Graduate Diploma of Counselling.
Admission to the Graduate Diploma of Counselling requires:
- Satisfactory completion of a three-year AQF Level 7 counselling award or equivalent, such as the AUCD Bachelor of Counselling; OR
- Hold a postgraduate qualification AQF Level 8 or above in Counselling, such as the AUCD Graduate Certificate in Counselling; OR
- Hold a three-year AQF Level 7 award in any discipline; 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 PDF of your birth certificate, passport, and visa information (or a certified copy)
- A digital passport-style image
- A PDF of previous academic transcripts and certificates of completion (or a certified copy)
- 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 Diploma of Counselling is a higher education award provided by Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD).
CRICOS Provider Code: 02948J
CRICOS Course Code: 114820E
Satisfactory completion of 72 credit points (8 units) from 8100 and 9200 series units in the AUCD Schedule of Units of Study.
The List of Graduate Diploma & Master of Counselling Units: Two-year Cycle 2024 – 2025
To find out units available for the Graduate Diploma of Counselling, visit Master of 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:
| Course | IELTS Band Score |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Diploma | 6.0 overall and in the reading and writing subsets. |
| Associate Degree | 6.0 overall and in the reading and writing subsets. |
| Bachelor Degree | 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subset. |
| Graduate Diploma | 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each subset. |
| Master Degree | 7.0 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.