Undergraduate Certificate in Pastoral 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.

All students will also be required to demonstrate English Proficiency, which is equivalent to an academic IELTS band of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subset. This can be demonstrated by:

• evidence of the completion of studies undertaken only in the English language;
• evidence of the completion of English studies undertaken at TAFE or an equivalent institution;
• completion of an external assessment of English language, for example an IELTS (Academic Version); and/or completion of an onsite English evaluation. Candidates will be required to attend the PBC campus to complete the evaluation.

In addition to demonstrating English Proficiency, students must either:

• be qualified for admission to an Australian University;
• have other acceptable post-secondary qualifications (e.g. PBC Diploma of Ministry with distinction average); or
• qualify for admission as a mature age student.

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

‘This course is not available for Overseas Students’

4 core units

Core Units

Marriage and Family (CO604, CO704)

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

Human sexuality, marriage and family sets us apart from animals. It is precisely 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 other than us. 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 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.

Models for Pastoral Counselling (CO601, CO701)

Pastoral counselling equips us to engage meaningfully with people in the light of the gospel’s message.

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.

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 specific 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.

Course Completion

Upon completion of all four core units, students will be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate in Pastoral Counselling.

CRICOS Course Details

This course is not available for overseas students.

Recognition of Prior Learning

PBC 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 PBC’s Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.