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The University of Notre Dame Australia

  • 2% international / 98% domestic

Bachelor of Arts (Major: Counselling)

  • Bachelor

If you think you have what it takes to be a successful counselling practitioner, The University of Notre Dame Australia Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Counselling is for you. This structured three-year program provides your theoretical background and hands-on skills.

Key details

Degree Type
Bachelor
Duration
3 years full-time
Course Code
3009, 015324A
Study Mode
In person

About this course

School of Arts & Sciences

If you think you have what it takes to be a successful counselling practitioner, The University of Notre Dame Australia Bachelor of Arts with a Major in Counselling is for you. This structured three-year program provides your theoretical background and hands-on skills. Alcohol and substance dependency and trauma counsellors must deal with many issues facing their patients and the ongoing pressures affecting the wider community. So get in touch today to start your learning journey.

Entry requirements

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. See Individual Factors for further details regarding this.

Applicants with recent Secondary Education

  • Prescribed ATAR/Selection Rank*

OR

  • Equivalent International Baccalaureate (IB) score

*Selection Ranks include ATAR plus Adjustment Factors.

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 who have successfully completed subjects at another University, which are relevant to the selected program of study, may be eligible for credit (Advanced Standing).

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*.

OR

  • Completion of STAT with scores of at least 150 in the Multiple Choice section and 150 in the Written English section*.

OR

  • Completion of two Year 12 WACE, HSC or equivalent exams, with a result equivalent to the Indicative ATAR/Selection Rank listed under Secondary Education section above.

*STAT results must have been obtained within the last three calendar years in order to be considered (e.g. for 2024 admission, STAT results obtained in 2023, 2022 or 2021 can be considered).

Study locations

Sydney

What you will learn

From alcohol and substance dependency to trauma counselling, today's counsellors must deal with various issues facing their patients and the ongoing pressures affecting the wider community.

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

Career pathways

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.

Course structure

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).

Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions page.

Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

Graduate outcomes

Graduate satisfaction and employment outcomes for Psychology courses at The University of Notre Dame Australia.
82.9%
Overall satisfaction
82.9%
Skill scale
74.3%
Teaching scale
56.8%
Employed full-time
Data source

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