With respect for Aboriginal cultural protocol and out of recognition that its campuses occupy their traditional lands, Western Sydney University acknowledges the Darug, Eora, Dharawal (also referred to as Tharawal) and Wiradjuri peoples and thanks them for their support of its work in their lands in Greater Western Sydney and beyond.
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The fully online Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling and Mental Health combines a range of subjects in the social sciences and psychology that serves as a foundation for basic counselling skills, with a particular focus on counselling those experiencing mental health challenges.
Applications for Block C close 21 April 2024.
Duration
FULL TIME
6 months
Sessions
Block B
4 March - 14 April 2024
Block C
29 April - 9 June 2024
Block D
1 July - 11 August 2024
Available Campuses
100% online and real-world ready
Complete your studies in as little as 30 weeks and once completed, you'll receive an Undergraduate Certificate.
Delivered through an innovative model of focused, condensed learning you’ll be able to ramp up your knowledge and learn new skills quickly.
Apply Now to start in April 2024 (Block C)!
A Career in Counselling and Mental Health
You will be prepared for careers in a wide range of human services organisations across diverse practice areas, including case work and supporting community development and crisis intervention projects.
The Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling and Mental Health is not an accredited program and will not permit you to work as a qualified counsellor or in a role that requires accreditation. These programs are introductory programs and accreditation will require more than four subjects. This program will lead you to a Diploma, then on to an accredited degree with a major in counselling or psychology.
Pathway options
This program offers a pathway to the Diploma of Social Science. If you wish to continue with further studies, the Diploma offers a direct pathway to the Bachelor of Social Science.
Work experience
The Careers team have a host of volunteering and work experience opportunities you can look at as a student. Additionally, there will be industry speakers present for some of the programs to provide insight into the relevant industry.
Program structure
The subjects covered in this program include;
- Understanding Society
- The Individual in Society
- Mental Health in the Community
- Counselling Foundations
Our Undergraduate Certificates are designed to run in block mode, which means you complete one subject at a time. Block mode format provides a focused and accelerated learning experience, which means you can engage in more intensive discussions and projects while having an immersive learning experience without distractions from multiple courses. Our subjects run completely online. The assessments are industry grounded and will remain authentic to the activities, challenges and expectations of the industry.
More information about the program structure is outlined in our handbook.
Fees and delivery
Fees: $7,568
The student contribution for a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) quoted above is an indication only of the student contribution to tuition fees for this program for 2023 and does not include other fees and charges. Actual tuition fees are calculated when you enrol.
Fees are subject to annual increases. The above indicative fee is based on completing this program in 2023.
Other fees: Students are required to pay the Services and Amenities Fee (SSAF) and may also be required to purchase textbooks or other program materials.
For more details, consult Student Contribution Bands
Eligible students also have access to interest-free HECS-HELP loans, so you can study now and pay later.
Find out more about HECS-HELP on the Study Assist website.
Delivery: Online
This program is only available to domestic students.
Unfortunately, student visa holders are not eligible to study this certificate.
Start your unlimited journey today.
To discuss your study options, call our friendly Student Support Team on 1300 668 370.
Frequently Asked Questions
Unfortunately, no. These programs are quite intensive, so it would not be realistic to be able to do a regular university program alongside the Block mode programs.
You can receive recognition of prior learning by applying for Advanced Standing. For Online Short Programs, the maximum amount of Advanced Standing is 20 credit points.
The university handbook is the best place to look for your information on your subjects. Once you commence your subjects you will receive a subject learning guide that will tell you about all your assessments and weekly topics.
Each Undergraduate Certificate has four subjects. You do one subject in each 6-week Block, then you move on to your next subject.
One of the benefits of the Undergraduate Certificates is that there are no exams. The assessments are all focussed on real-world situations, so they will be case studies, quizzes relating to scenarios, presentations.
Meet one of our students
"It's all online, and completely flexible, so I could work around whatever I needed to."
- Alice Rochetich. Undergraduate Certificate in Counselling and Mental Health
Want to learn more about our student success stories?
Your career
This program may open the door to a career in:
- Community development
- Crisis intervention
- Family support
- Mental health
- Counselling
- Welfare support
Your career
Community development worker
Community development workers help communities to help themselves. This profession is all about working alongside members of troubled communities, inspiring them, supporting them, and offering them guidance for making improvements to their own community.
Crisis intervention assistant
Crisis intervention assistants work with specialists to help individuals in at-risk situations to provide pro-active intervention that may avert a crisis. Often this involves helping people access counselling, and other services.
Family support worker
Family support workers typically work for government and community organisation, helping individuals to support their family on a case by case basis. They assist by helping people to navigate the support services available to them.
Mental health support worker
Mental Health Support Workers are qualified social workers and nurses who specialise in helping those with a range of mental health problems such as anxiety, depression or post-traumatic stress disorder.
Residential support worker
Residential Support Workers are vital carers for vulnerable individuals and their families. Support Workers provide practical support, helping families to find safe, secure accomodation.
Welfare support officer
Welfare Support Workers provide support, information and advice to clients on emotional, financial, recreational, health, housing and other social welfare matters, and evaluate and coordinate the services of welfare and community service agencies.
Case worker
Case workers design and implement strategies and programs to meet community and individual needs and assist individuals, families and groups with social, emotional and financial difficulties to improve quality of life by educating and supporting them.
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Related study options
*The tuition fees quoted above are the fees for the normal full-time study load of the program (80 credit points) per annum. International students will be subject to a variable fee regime; i.e. enrolled students will be required to pay fees during their program based on the approved fee for each calendar year. Fee changes (if any) will occur at 1 January each calendar year. Students who extend their program past the normal finish date of the program will be required to pay additional fees based on the prevailing fee level. Western Sydney University is a multi-campus institution. The University reserves the right to alter the location of its programs between campuses and other locations as necessary. Students should be aware of the possibility of change of location for the whole or part of programs for which they enrol and should plan for the need to travel between Western Sydney campuses.
Acknowledgement of Country
