Graduate Certificate of Counselling
Academic Programmes
- Accredited and awarded by Swinburne University of Technology, Melbourne, Australia
- Organised by the Executive Counselling and Training Academy in academic partnership with Mount Elizabeth Hospital and Parkway College of Nursing and Allied Health
- The Master of Counselling offered at the Hawthorn, Australia campus of Swinburne University of Technology is equivalent to the Master of Counselling (Advanced) offered in Singapore in partnership with ECTA.
Graduate Certificate of Counselling
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling is a 6-month course. It is the first stage of a 24-month “nested suite” course that also includes Stage 2: Graduate Diploma of Counselling, and Stage 3: Master of Counselling (Advanced).
Total Credit Points: 50.0
Course Structure
COURSE STRUCTURECredit Points (CP)
PSC60013: Theories and Foundations of Counselling 12.5
PSC60014: Counselling Processes and Interventions12.5
PSC60012: Specific Skills in Counselling12.5
PSC60011: Professional Ethics and Supervision12.5
Awarded with a Graduate Certificate of Counselling CP: 50.0
Course Aims
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling is designed to provide counselling practice and training for professionals involved in mental health and social services as well as those in fields where counselling skills play a primary occupational role.
The course offers a broad approach to counselling with an introduction to practical counselling skills and the processes of counselling. It also provides opportunities for skills acquisition and application. The course is practical in nature and is tailored to help the counselling intern develop an awareness of self and to obtain a well-articulated understanding of the stages of counselling.
Course Objectives
By the end of the course, the counselling intern will be able to:
- gain an understanding of the major counselling approaches;
- use counselling processes and interventions;
- develop generic helping skills to manage counselling cases;
- be aware of professional counselling ethics; and
- grow with individual and group supervision as well as personal therapy.
Duration
The Graduate Certificate of Counselling is a 6-month course. It is the first stage of a 24-month “nested suite” course that also includes Stage 2: Graduate Diploma of Counselling, and Stage 3: Master of Counselling (Advanced). Lectures are usually held on one weekday evening per week, and on some Saturdays for a full day.
Duration: Part-time, 6 months
CONTACT HOURS (173 Hours)
Clinical Practice :62
~Case Management :28
~Group Supervision :6
~Individual Supervision :5
~Counselling Direct Contact Hours :10
~Personal Counselling :3
~Professional Development Learning (PDL) :10
Entry Requirements
ENGLISH LANGUAGE
Applicants who do not possess at least 4 GCE “O” Level Credits, including a credit for English Language, are to attempt the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and attain an overall band score of at least 6.5 points.
RESIDENCY STATUS
Applicants must be a Singapore Citizen, a Singapore Permanent Resident, or a holder of a valid Work Permit, or valid Dependent Pass.
ACADEMIC AND/OR PROFESSIONAL QUALIFICATIONS
- A Bachelor Degree (may not be counselling-related); OR
- A Diploma (or its equivalent); OR
- A Certificate (or its equivalent)
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will be assessed for suitability through:
- a face-to-face interview;
- a 200-word statement explaining why they have chosen to pursue a counselling programme, and what they intend to do with the qualifications attained; and
- one (1) character reference where the referee preparing the reference should have a good knowledge of the applicant’s quality of work and suitability for the counselling programme.
| QUALIFICATIONS | TRACK(S) | STAGE 1 Graduate Certificate of Counselling | STAGE 2 Graduate Diploma of Counselling | STAGE 3 Master of Counselling (Advanced) |
| Any Basic Degree | 1 | 6 months | 6 months | 12 months |
| Post-Graduate Diploma in Counselling and a Basic Degree | 2 | Academic Credit Exemptions with Insertions | Academic Credit Exemptions with Insertions | 12 months |
| Significant and Relevant Work Experience (SRWE) GCE ‘O’ or ‘A’ Level or Diploma with substantial work experience No Academic Credit (Exemptions) | 3 | 6 months | 6 months | 12 months |
Definition of Significant and Relevant Work Experience
Relevant work experience that can be used as a basis of admission to the Graduate Certificate of Counseling includes the following:
- Management and leadership programs;
- Skills development programs, e.g. negotiation skills, communication, people management;
- Short para-counseling courses, e.g. pastoral counseling;
- Personal development programs, e.g. parenting skills;
- Short courses on various counseling approaches, e.g. family violence or creative therapy;
- Community and social services programs;
- First year university courses that provide a broad overview of a relevant topic;
- Certificates of Educational Studies;
- Assessment and intervention programs; and,
- Community crisis response team training.
| Course Title: Graduate Certificate of Counselling |
| Group Supervision |
| Individual Supervision |
Course Fees
Please refer to the Fee Payment Structure for more information.
Course Assessments
The course assessments are available in the Course Guidebook which will be given on the day of the Course Orientation. Members of the public can have access to the information by calling or e-mailing ECTA.
PSC60012 / Specific Skills in Counselling (12.5 Credit Points)
1 Essay, 1 Case Study and Classroom Live Assessment required for this unit
PSC60013 / Theories and Foundations of Counselling (12.5 Credit Points)
2 Essays required for this unit
PSC60014 / Counselling Processes and Interventions (12.5 Credit Points)
Online Assessment and 1 Essay required for this unit
PSC60011 / Professional Ethics and Supervision (12.5 Credit Points)
Practicum log of counselling hours and clinical supervisor’s final report required
Graduating Criteria
The graduation criteria are available in the Course Guidebook which will be given on the day of the Course Orientation. Members of the public can have access to the information by calling or e-mailing ECTA.
Upon graduation, students will be awarded the Graduate Certificate of Counselling. Please click here for sample certificate.
Teaching Methodology
Counselling interns will develop and enhance their counselling skills through an integrated approach based on lectures, role-plays, video-clip viewing, small group discussions and clinical supervision.
Registration
Download Master of Counselling (Advanced) PDF Brochure.
Click Apply Now to submit your application
