Undergraduate
Diploma of Counselling
2020
Do you seek a career that will make a positive impact on the health and well-being of those in your community? Or perhaps you are wanting to build on your knowledge in human services? The Diploma of Counselling may be the course you are looking for.
During your course, you will explore key areas such as psychology, trauma assessment and intervention, alcohol and other drugs as well as build on your communication skills.
Career opportunities
This qualification will complement your existing professional career, or it may prepare you for career opportunities in counselling-related fields in government, private companies, non-government organisations (NGO) and community groups.
Credit transfers & pathways
For further information on credit transfer and how to apply visit ASK CDU
International applications
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The table below gives an indication of the likely peer cohort for new students in this course. It provides data on students that commenced this course and passed the census date in Semester 1, 2019.
Applicant background (Semester one intake 2019) No. of Students % of all Students A. Higher education study
(includes a bridging or enabling course)17 65.4 B. Vocational education and training (VET) study <5 N/P C. Work and life experience
(Admitted on the basis of previous achievement not in the other three categories)<5 N/P D. Recent secondary education - Admitted solely on the basis of ATAR
(regardless of whether this includes the consideration of adjustment factors such as equity or subject bonus points)
<5 N/P - Admitted where both ATAR and additional criteria were considered
(e.g. portfolio, audition, extra offer conditional on minimum ATAR)
<5 N/P - Admitted on the basis of other criteria only and ATAR was not a factor
(e.g. special consideration, audition alone, schools recommendation scheme with no minimum ATAR requirement)
<5 N/P International students N/A N/A All students N/A N/A Notes
"<5" - the number of students is less than 5
N/A - Students not accepted in this category
N/P - Not published: the number is hidden to prevent calculation of numbers in cells with less than 5 students. -
This course is accredited by the University in accordance with the Higher Education Standards.
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Australian qualification framework
This course is recognised in the Australian Qualifications Framework at Level 5.
Contact details
For further information about the course, enrolment procedures, closing dates and other administrative issues please contact Student Central on:
Course structure
A candidate must successfully complete units totalling 80 credit points (cp) as detailed below. All units are valued at 10 credit points unless indicated.
| Unit type |
Credit Points |
Specific requirements |
| Common Units (2 units) |
20cp |
Common units totalling 20 credit points as detailed below.
CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability (compulsory) Select Common Units to find out more about individual units and advanced standing options. |
| Core Units (4 units) |
40cp |
Compulsory Core units totalling 40 credit points as detailed below.
PSY140 Introduction to Psychology A |
| Specialist Electives (2 units) |
20cp |
Units totalling 20 credit points selected from the list of available units detailed below.
PSY143 Traumatology - Assessment and Intervention |
|
80cp |
Total Credit Points |
Students who commenced in or after 2013
The grade of "PC" cannot be counted towards a Diploma AQF Level 5 course award.
Students should refer to the current Grading Policy and Common Course Rules for further information.
Study plan
Students commencing in Semester 1
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 1 and enrolling in a standard load. Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | PSY141 Introduction to Psychology B | CO |
| CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology OR CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability |
CU | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO |
| PSY140 Introduction to Psychology A | CO | Specialist elective | SE |
| PSY390 Counselling | CO | Specialist elective | SE |
Students commencing in Semester 2
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in semester 2 and enrolling in a standard load Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 1 | |||
| PSY141 Introduction to Psychology B | CO | ||
| SWK102 Communication Skills | CO | ||
| Specialist elective | SE | ||
| Specialist elective | SE | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology OR CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability |
CU | ||
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | ||
| PSY140 Introduction to Psychology A | CO | ||
| PSY390 Counselling | CO | ||
Students commencing in Summer Semester
The Recommended Study Plan provided below is suitable for a student commencing in summer semester and enrolling in a standard load Students entering this course with advanced standing, or wishing to reduce or vary their study plan due to work, personal, financial or other reasons should use the table as a guide to create an individual study plan.
| Legend: | CU = Common Unit | CO = Core Unit | SE = Specialist Elective |
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | Summer Semester | |||
| Year 1 | |||||
| PSY140 Introduction to Psychology A | CO | ||||
| PSY141 Introduction to Psychology B | CO | ||||
| Semester 1 | Semester 2 | ||
| Year 2 | |||
| CUC106 Design and Innovation: Communicating Technology OR CUC100 Academic Literacies Through Exploring Sustainability |
CU | SWK102 Communication Skills | CO |
| CUC107 Cultural Intelligence and Capability | CU | Specialist elective | SE |
| PSY390 Counselling | CO | Specialist elective | SE |
Course fees
Commonwealth supported places
Commonwealth Supported places are available in this course to students who meet one of the following residency requirements:
(a) Australian Citizenship; or
(b) a New Zealand citizen or a permanent resident visa holder who will be resident within Australia for the duration of the unit.
2020: Information about fees and charges can be found at Fees and Payments.
2021: Information about fees and charges for 2021 are not yet available however will be published prior to 1 December 2020.
International tuition fees
The annual course tuition fee for full time study of 80 credit points for commencing students in 2020 is AUD $28,224.00.
These fees are subject to annual increases each year of your study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
You can find a list of International fees and payments you can expect to pay as part of your studies in Australia.
CDU offers a number of scholarships to international students to assist with the cost of study.