The Bachelor of Arts (Counselling) is designed within a Christian worldview and equips students with the skills to support the mental health and wellbeing of others.
The course provides the opportunity to integrate counselling skills with psychotherapeutic theories, develop an in-depth understanding of mental health and emotional disorders, and apply counselling skills to specific client groups. The degree provides industry recognised preparation for future employment in both public and private sectors.
The course includes three options:
Psychology units are only available online and are completed through cross-institutional study at the University of New England (UNE).
There are many options for satisfying the entry requirements for our courses. An applicant needs to meet at least one of the following entry requirements to be given an offer to study at Avondale.
*Applicants must not be a current year 12 (or equivalent) student and must be 18 years or older at the time of commencing their course.
If a Senior Secondary Certificate has not been completed, an eligible applicant may sit an admission test (uniTEST and TOWA or the Skills for Tertiary Admission Test).
In exceptional circumstances, an applicant may be admitted based on equivalent qualifications or work and life experience as assessed by the Course Convenor or delegate and/or the DVC Academic.
This course is not available to international students.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.
The Bachelor of Arts (Counselling) consists of 24 units and requires 144 credit points for completion. Every unit has a 6 credit-point value unless otherwise stated.
Students complete 4 units in each of 6 semesters in a full-time load or part-time equivalent.
Students can study in one of three pathways:
*Psychology units are only available online and are completed through cross-institutional study at the University of New England (UNE).
The 24 units required to complete the course are as follows:
3 | Core Arts units |
10 | Counselling specialisation units |
10 | Psychology specialisation units |
1 | Elective unit |
4 | Core Arts units |
14 | Counselling specialisation units |
8 | Major units (some units overlap with units in the Counselling Specialisation) |
2 | Elective units |
4 | Core Arts units |
14 | Counselling specialisation units |
4 | Minor units (any available study area - see listing below) |
2 | Elective units |
ARTS11110 | The Art of Scholarship |
WHPE10101 | Foundations of Wellbeing |
CHST26110 | Studies in Christianity 2 |
THEO36113* | Religions of the World* |
*this unit is not required for the Dual Specialisation |
Electives can be taken from any study area at any level. Course Convenor guidance in the choice of electives is highly recommended.
All PSYC units are completed online through the University of New England Counselling & Psychology Dual Specialisation Units (20 Units)
CNSL11100 | Foundational Counselling Skills |
CNSL21100 | Foundational Counselling Theories |
CNSL21120 | Emotional & Behavioural Responses |
CNSL21130 | Advanced Counselling Skills |
CNSL21140 | Family Therapy Theories |
CNSL31100 | Counselling Ethics & Spiritual Integration in Counselling |
CNSL31130 | Clinical Internship I |
CNSL31140 | Clinical Internship II |
CNSL31150 | Couple Counselling |
CNSL31160 | Child & Adolescent Therapy |
PSYC101 | Introductory Psychology I |
PSYC102 | Introductory Psychology II |
PSYC200 | Social Psychology |
PSYC202 | Research Methods and Statistics |
PSYC206 | Cognitive Psychology |
PSYC213 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology |
PSYC363 | Psychopathology |
PSYC366 | Biopsychology |
PSYC371 | Individual Differences and Assessment |
PSYC372 | Advanced Research Methods |
Counselling Specialisation (14 units)
CNSL11100 | Foundational Counselling Skills |
CNSL21100 | Foundational Counselling Theories |
CNSL21120 | Emotional & Behavioural Responses |
CNSL21130 | Advanced Counselling Skills |
CNSL21140 | Family Therapy Theories |
CNSL31100 | Counselling Ethics & Spiritual Integration in Counselling |
CNSL31130 | Clinical Internship I |
CNSL31140 | Clinical Internship II |
CNSL31150 | Couple Counselling |
CNSL31160 | Child & Adolescent Therapy |
CNSL31170 | Psychopathology & Mental Wellbeing |
PSYC101 | Introductory Psychology I |
PSYC102 | Introductory Psychology II |
PSYC213 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology |
All PSYC units are completed online through the University of New England
Chaplaincy Major (8 units)
CHPL21100 | Principles & Practice of Chaplaincy |
CHPL31100 | Clinical Pastoral Experience I |
CHPL31110 | Clinical Pastoral Experience II |
CNSL11100 | Foundational Counselling Skills |
CNSL21100 | Foundational Counselling Theories |
CNSL21120 | Emotional & Behavioural Responses |
CNSL31100 | Counselling Ethics & Spiritual Integration in Counselling |
and 1 of: | |
CHMN16140 | Introduction to Psychology for Ministry |
PSYC213 | Lifespan Development Psychology |
Psychology Major (8 units)
PSYC101 | Introductory Psychology I |
PSYC102 | Introductory Psychology II |
PSYC202 | Research Methods and Statistics |
PSYC213 | Lifespan Developmental Psychology |
CNSL31170 | Psychopathology & Mental Wellbeing |
and 1 of: | |
PSYC200 | Social Psychology |
PSYC206 | Cognitive Psychology |
and 2 of: | |
PSYC366 | Biopsychology |
PSYC371 | Individual Differences and Assessment |
PSYC372 | Advanced Research Methods |
A Counselling Specialisation can be paired with a Minor in any of the areas of study listed below. Refer to the Bachelor of Arts for specific unit lists.
The following course structure grids provide a sample of what each course structure might look like over a three-year period studying full-time. The numbers 100, 200, 300 align to the Unit Level and should be in sequence in the program as far as possible. Course Convenor guidance is recommended.
Dual Specialisation | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Semester | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
1 | CNSL11100 Foundational Counselling Skills | CNSL21100 Foundational Counselling Theories | ARTS11110 The Art of Scholarship | WHPE10101 Foundations of Wellbeing |
2 | Elective (100 or 200 level) | CNSL21120 Emotional & Behavioural Responses | PSYC101Introductory Psychology 1 (Tri 2 - UNE) | PSYC102 Introductory Psychology 2 (Tri 3 - UNE) |
3 | PSYC200 Social Psychology (Tri 2 - UNE) | CNSL21140 Family Therapy Theories | CHST26110 Studies in Christianity 2 | PSYC202 Research Methods and Statistics (Tri 1 - UNE) |
4 | PSYC213 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (Tri 2 - UNE) | PSYC206 Cognitive Psychology (Tri 2 - UNE) | CNSL31100 Counselling Ethics & Spiritual Integration | CNSL21130 Advanced Counselling Skills |
5 | CNSL31160 Child & Adolescent Therapy | CNSL31130 Clinical Internship 1 | PSYC366 Biopsychology (Tri 1 - UNE) | PSYC363 Psychopathology (Tri 1 - UNE) |
6 | CNSL31140 Clinical Internship 2 | CNSL31150 Couple Counselling | PSYC371 Individual Differences and Assessment (Tri 1 - UNE) | PSYC372 Advanced Research Methods & Statistics (Tri 2 - UNE) |
*CNSL31100 is counted as the third-year religion requirement for students completing the dual specialisation.
(If students elect a Psychology Major, Psychology units will replace Chaplaincy units)
Counselling Specialisation with Chaplaincy Major (odd years) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Semester | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
1 | CNSL11100 Foundational Counselling Skills | CNSL21100 Foundational Counselling Theories | ARTS11110 The Art of Scholarship | WHPE10101 Foundations of Wellbeing |
2 | CHMN16140 Introduction to Psychology for Ministry | CNSL21120 Emotional & Behavioural Responses | PSYC101Introductory Psychology 1 (Tri 2 - UNE) | CHPL21110 Principles & Practice of Chaplaincy |
3 | PSYC102 Introductory Psychology 2 (Tri 3 - UNE) | CNSL21140 Family Therapy Theories | CHST26110 Studies in Christianity 2 | Elective (100/200 level) |
4 | PSYC213 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (Tri 2 - UNE) | Elective (100/200 level) | CNSL31100 Counselling Ethics & Spiritual Integration | CNSL21130 Advanced Counselling Skills |
5 | CNSL31160 Child & Adolescent Therapy | CNSL31130 Clinical Internship 1 | CNSL31170 Psychopathology & Mental Wellbeing | CHPL31100 Clinical Pastoral Experience 1 |
6 | CNSL31140 Clinical Internship 2 | CNSL31150 Couple Counselling | CHPL31110 Clinical Pastoral Experience 2 | THEO36113 Religions of the World |
Students commencing in even years will have a slightly varied grid.
Counselling Specialisation with Minor | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|
Semester | Unit 1 | Unit 2 | Unit 3 | Unit 4 |
1 | CNSL11100 Foundational Counselling Skills | CNSL21100 Foundational Counselling Theories | ARTS11110 The Art of Scholarship | WHPE10101 Foundations of Wellbeing |
2 | Minor or Elective (100 level) | CNSL21120 Emotional & Behavioural Responses | PSYC101 Introductory Psychology 1 (Tri 2 - UNE) | Minor or Elective (100 level) |
3 | PSYC102 Introductory Psychology 2 (Tri 3 - UNE) | CNSL21140 Family Therapy Theories | Minor or Elective (200 level) | Minor or Elective (200 level) |
4 | PSYC213 Lifespan Developmental Psychology (Tri 2 - UNE) | CHST26110 Studies in Christianity 2 | CNSL31100 Counselling Ethics & Spiritual Integration | CNSL21130 Advanced Counselling Skills |
5 | CNSL31160 Child & Adolescent Therapy | CNSL31130 Clinical Internship 1 | CNSL31170 Psychopathology & Mental Wellbeing | Minor or Elective (200/300 level) |
6 | CNSL31140 Clinical Internship 2 | CNSL31150 Couple Counselling | Minor or Elective (200/300 level) | THEO36113 Religions of the World |
**Minor and elective units can be moved depending on when desired units are available. However, a student must complete 4 units for their minor and an additional 2 electives.
To find out more about any of the units listed here, copy the unit code and then search for that unit here.
Students engage in a one-day per week clinical placement over the course of their final year of study. They will participate in the activities of a counselling organisation, including conducting counselling sessions, keeping clinical records, and providing referrals. The clinical placement brings together theoretical learning and skills practice and provides valuable industry experience.
Students will need to obtain a New South Wales Working with Children Check, as well as the equivalent Working with Children Check in any state or territory in which they intend to complete a professional placement. A Working with Children Check needs to be obtained before commencing a professional placement.
Students can apply for a Working with Children Check online through the Office of the Children's Guardian. After the application is complete, the application number and the expiry date must be emailed to the Counselling Placement Coordinator.
E: [email protected]
Current Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) requirements include that students must undergo a screening interview, which will take place in the second year of the course.
Graduates obtain registration as a Counsellor with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
If the student’s intended goal is to work towards registration as a Psychologist in Australia, the student must enrol in the Combined Specialisation in Counselling & Psychology (Dual Specialisation) and in addition complete postgraduate study. Completion of the Bachelor of Arts (Counselling) Dual Specialisation will not automatically lead to registration as a Psychologist but does fulfil the undergraduate requirements of the Australian Psychology Accreditation Council. This will allow the student (subject to meeting postgraduate entry requirements) to continue into postgraduate study and thus work towards registration as a Psychologist in Australia.
Bachelor of Arts (Counselling) graduates will be equipped to work within both private and public sectors. This course provides our graduates with the confidence and knowledge to apply a range of counselling approaches with their clients. Graduates are also eligible for membership in the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
Bachelor of Arts (Counselling) graduates develop skills for the following roles: