Counselling

Become an insightful practitioner and find ‘the good life’.

At the University of Divinity, in addition to learning the ways of people and training in professional counselling skills, you’ll be equipped for counselling in the mid-21st century. Come and learn about cutting edge topics including the role of artificial intelligence in mental health, and gain basic business skills to prepare you for private practice.

Why study Counselling with the University of Divinity?

#1 in Australia for student experience

The University of Divinity is nationally recognised as having the most positive student experience of any university in Australia.

Testimonials

After attending other universities I would say that it is the intimate style of education that makes the counselling degree at the University of Divinity unique. Smaller class sizes and access to support makes it easy to navigate the course. The lecturers are very passionate which is reflected in the positivity of the students. I really wouldn’t study anywhere else.
Sue (2nd year student 2024)

Each class leaves me inspired and eager to learn more. The support and guidance from my professors/lectures and peers has been invaluable. The collaborative learning environment fosters a sense of community and encourages meaningful exchanges of ideas and perspectives. Overall, I cannot emphasise enough how grateful I am for the opportunity to pursue this degree.
Christina (2nd year student 2024)

Thank you for having the best teachers to teach us. … The lecturers you chose were such beautiful human beings. Such learned people who taught with so much compassion, patience and understanding it made me feel safe to ask questions… I learned so much from them and they made us feel empowered.
Nancy (1st year student, 2023)

I took the leap of faith to start my Counselling journey with the University of Divinity. My journey has been a bit like a river that ebbs and flows, and has been rocky along the way, but my teachers have always shown me the way forward. I have never regretted my choice to study with the University of Divinity!
Fiona (1st year student, 2023)

Commonwealth Supported Places

Commonwealth Supported Places may be available for some Bachelor of Counselling students. Places are allocated on an equity basis to assist students from disadvantaged backgrounds. A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back.

For the purposes of Equity Places, disadvantaged groups include:

students from low SES backgrounds
students from inner regional, outer regional, remote and very remote areas
students who are first in family to study at university
First Nations students
students with a disability

Flexible learning

Our experience shows that students benefit most from a combination of online and face-to-face learning. This approach provides you with flexibility to suit your lifestyle, while acknowledging that counselling is a very human profession requiring that students meet together to practice and refine their skills.

A unique approach to counselling training

University of Divinity Box Hill Campus

At the University of Divinity we seek to attract a diverse range of students who can gift insights from their ‘lived experience’ to their classmates and to their clients later on. In fact, a ‘wounded healer’ model of training is often the best as students come with empathy and knowledge that can’t be learnt from textbooks.

Our curriculum is designed to help you find ‘the good life’ and so, in turn, help your future clients to do the same. We therefore don’t just focus on counselling skills but also on virtues such as hope, courage, and compassion. We want you to engage the human condition in all its messiness and beauty.

We also want to meet the challenges of the mid-21st century. You will also learn about artificial intelligence in mental health and basic business skills amongst other interesting topics. As a graduate, you’ll be well prepared for the workplace and for future client needs.

Highly experienced teachers

Our academic associates have significant crossover experience between professional practice and academia. Under their guidance, you will learn critical thinking, evidence-based practice and develop empathy allowing you to work to effectively with a range of clients.

Industry accreditation and memberships

The Bachelor of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association. The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) is the largest professional association for registered counsellors in the country.

The Bachelor of Counselling is endorsed by the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia. The Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA) is the nation’s key professional body for counsellors who work at the intersection of faith and professional practice.

The University of Divinity is a member of the National Heads of Counselling and Psychotherapy Education network. The network represents Higher Education providers throughout Australia who deliver counselling training.

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Send us a message to register your interest in the course, ask a question, or receive course advice.

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Study Information

Bachelor of Counselling Course Overview

AQF 07CRICOS N/A
Bachelor of Counselling

Duration
3 years full-time,
Up to 9 years part-time

Modes
Mixed

Colleges & Schools
Available at 1 College/School
The need for well-trained mental health professionals has never been greater. As a counsellor you will work alongside other committed professionals to improve the lives of many people. Be they young people, couples, families, people self-identifying as members of a diversity community, or the elderly – you will make a difference.
To get you on the right path a Bachelor of Counselling at the University of Divinity will not only teach you how to be a competent practitioner, but help you to become a wise practitioner. In fact, we at the university are committed to virtues such as hope, courage, and compassion. It’s one of the things that makes us different. In addition, we are determined to train counsellors for the mid-21st century. You will therefore also learn about AI in mental health as well as basic business skills. By the end of your training you will be ready to take on the challenge of clients and to play your part in an exciting profession dedicated to helping others.
Course profile

Locations and Mode

All units use blended learning, to enable flexibility around work/life commitments.
Blended learning means a mix of online and face-to-face components.

Learning materials will be available through online modules for students to access at any time 24/7 during the unit.

Seminars are scheduled outside normal working hours to permit flexibility.

Intensives have an experiential focus and are a great way to meet your fellow classmates in person.

There are three patterns of delivery for different units:

Pattern 1

Two-day in-person intensive (required attendance)
7 online modules

Pattern 2

8 online modules
8 weekly 2-hour online evening seminars (required attendance)

Pattern 3

Clinical placement with supervision
Online modules as required

2025 Unit timetable (provisional – subject to change)

First year units

Unit code	Unit name	Term	Unit start date (ARK access is 1 week before)	Unit end date	Intensive dates
CO1001Z	Expressing Integrity Through Excellence In Academic And Professional Communication	1	24 Feb	18 April	24-25 March
CO1002Z	Self, Profession and Society	1	24 Feb	18 April	27-28 March
CO1003Z	Critical Thinking, Problem Solving, And Decision-Making	2	28 April	20 June	26-27 May
CO1004Z	The Human Condition	2	28 April	20 June	N/A
CO1005Z	Introduction to Counselling	3	28 July	19 Sept	25-26 Aug
CO1006Z	Engaging Diversity	3	28 July	19 Sept	N/A
CO1007Z	Introduction to psychology	4	29 Sept	21 Nov	27-28 October
CO1008Z	Data Literacy For Clinicians	4	29 Sept	21 Nov	N/A

Second year units

Unit code	Unit name	Term	Unit start date (ARK access is 1 week before)	Unit end date	Intensive dates
CO2001Z	Human Development, Personality, And Identity	1	24 Feb	18 April	N/A
CO2002Z	Working With Children, Adolescents, And Older Adults	1	24 Feb	18 April	31 Mar – 1 Apr
CO2003Z	Trauma-Informed Counselling In The Context Of Loss and Grief	2	28 April	20 June	2-3 Jun
CO2005Z	Working With Couples And Families Elective being offered in 2025	2	28 April	20 June	12-13 June
CO2006Z	What Is Abnormal?: The Individual, Diagnostics, And Society	3	28 July	19 Sept	N/A
CO2007Z	Counselling Ethics, The Law, And Best-Practice	3	28 July	19 Sept	1-2 Sept
CO2008Z	Self-Care And The Workplace	4	29 Sept	21 Nov	N/A
CO2010Z	Counselling Survivors And Perpetrators Of Domestic Violence Elective being offered in 2025	4	29 Sept	21 Nov	3-4 Nov

Third year units

Unit code	Unit name	Term	Unit start date (ARK access is 1 week before)	Unit end date	Intensive or Supervision dates
CO3001Z	Placement – Part A	1 & 2	24 Feb	20 June	4 Mar, 18 Mar, 1 Apr, 15 Apr, 6 May, 20 May, 3 Jun, 17 Jun.
CO3002Z	Complex Clients: Neurodiversity, Addictions and Personality Disorders	1	24 Feb	18 April	N/A
CO3003Z	Virtues-Based Counselling: Working With Hope, Courage and Compassion	2	28 April	20 June	22-23 May
CO3004Z OR CO3005Z	Intimacy, Sex(ualities) and Gender OR Working With Groups, Teams and Leaders	2	28 April	20 June	29-30 May
CO3001Z	Placement – Part A	3 & 4	28 July	21 Nov	5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sept, 16 Sept, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 18 Nov.
CO3006Z	Placement – Part B	3 & 4	28 July	21 Nov	5 Aug, 19 Aug, 2 Sept, 16 Sept, 7 Oct, 21 Oct, 4 Nov, 18 Nov.
CO3007Z	Emerging Technologies, AI and the Business of Counselling	3	28 July	19 Sept	N/A
CO3008Z	Capstone Project	4	29 Sept	21 Nov	30 Sept, 7 Oct, 14 Oct, 21 Oct, 28 Oct, 4 Nov, 11 Nov, 18 Nov.
CO3009Z OR CO3010Z	The Role of Faith, Religion and Spirituality in Wellbeing OR The Well Community	4	29 Sept	21 Nov	N/A OR 30-31 Oct
CO3006Z	Placement – Part B (Truncated version)	Summer	24 Nov	9 Jan	25 Nov, 2 Dec, 9 Dec, 16 Dec, 23 Dec, 6 Jan.

Unit Progression

To complete the Bachelor of Counselling as a full-time student, you will undertake 24 units over a three-year period. The units should be taken in the order provided below. Please contact the Program Director for assistance with (re)enrolments.

Progression pathway to assist unit enrolment

Bachelor of Counselling – Guide to Unit Progression

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How to apply

If you have questions about the course, please use the enquiry form on this webpage.

Once you’re ready to apply, fill out the application form. You’ll be contacted to arrange a time for an interview with the Counselling Program Director, Dr Tom Edwards. The purpose of the interview is to ensure that this course is right for you.

Admission Form for Counselling

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Email your application form to the School of Professional Practice, at spp-support@divinity.edu.au

Meet our Program Director

Dr Tom Edwards

Counselling Program Director,
School of Professional Practice

HDR Supervisor Course Advisor

Beginning his career in behavioural neuroscience Tom has since shifted his academic interests from the brain to the mind. He is particularly interested in a cluster of virtues which contribute to a cognitive architecture that is evolutionarily consistent and socially relevant. Tom has published in high impact factor journals and spoken at a number of […]