Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling

School of Arts & Sciences

If you are returning to study or entering University for the first time, The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling offers students the opportunity to experience University-level study in counselling and development psychology. Students learn key approaches to counselling practice and develop skills in listening, critical reflection and structuring an interview session. Get in touch to start your learning journey.

• Why study this certificate?

  The Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling is ideal if you are new to university. It offers an opportunity to acquire new skills and practice in Counselling that may add to a student’s other professional qualifications. An Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling is a pathway to study for higher awards, such as a diploma or bachelor’s degree.

  The Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling is designed for you if:

  • You would like to add value to your existing professional experience and qualifications by gaining counselling skills. The program would be suited to professionals in human resource management, teaching, chaplaincy and social work, to name a few
  • You are returning to or entering university and trialling whether you would like to proceed with further study in Counselling
  • You would like a pathway to further study into such degrees as a Bachelor of Counselling

• Program summary

  The Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling consists of four courses.

  Students must complete three of the following compulsory courses:

  • COUNS1003 Theories and Approaches to Counselling
  • COUNS1004 Counselling Skills Training 1
  • BESC1000 Developmental Psychology or PSYC2170 Developmental Psychology

  Plus, one of the following elective courses (where pre-requisites allow):

  • COUNS2002 Counselling Skills Training 2
  • COUNS2004 Counselling and Children or COUN2150 Counselling Children and Adolescents
  • COUNS2005 Grief and Loss Counselling
  • COUNS2006 Counselling Adolescents or COUN2150 Counselling Children and Adolescents
  • COUN2060 Cross-cultural Counselling
  • COUN2080 Counselling in the Area of Alcohol and Other Drugs or COUN2007 Trauma and Addiction Counselling
  • COUN2110 Trauma Counselling or COUN2007 Trauma and Addiction Counselling

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

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

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

• Entry requirements

  The minimum entry requirements of The University of Notre Dame Australia apply for the Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling.

  While minimum entry requirements need to be met, we also consider a student’s application more broadly — their non-academic achievements (professional work experience, leadership roles, volunteering, community and/or church involvement), as well as their personal qualities, aspirations, interests and capacity to successfully complete this program.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate broad theoretical and applied knowledge
  2. Communicate arguments and/or ideas in a range of forms
  3. Evaluate appropriate sources and information
  4. Demonstrate research skills
  5. Synthesise knowledge and apply skills in order to solve sometimes complex problems; and
  6. Work independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others.

• Career opportunities

  The Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling is a pathway to further study of higher awards, such as a Diploma or Bachelor's degree.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from our academics, who are leaders in their field. There are no practicum requirements for this program.

• Opportunities and experiences

  At the University of Notre Dame, we believe that gaining a global perspective is an important part of your university education. We offer various opportunities for students to study abroad and become active global citizens. These opportunities include exchange programs, professional placements, study tours, and volunteer opportunities. Visit Opportunities and experiences to find out more.

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Undergraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Book a 1-on-1 advice session with a career advisor or call us on 1800 878 916.

  Fremantle and Broome
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  Sydney and Melbourne
  Email: sydney@nd.edu.au
  Address: 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008