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Australian College of Applied Psychology (ACAP)
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Bachelor of Applied Social Science
The Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling) by ACAP ( www.acap.edu.au ) is a course offered On Campus and in Singapore. To qualify for the award, a student must complete 24 units: 22 coursework units and 2 Practicum. The total amount of credit points for the award is 168 cps.
The Bachelor of Applied Social Science (Counselling) is designed to 
facilitate the integration of core and specialist applied social science knowledge and skill development into the identity of the student as a professional practitioner. The units of this course are presented and studied in a sequential manner allowing the student to build on prior knowledge and experience, heighten self-awareness and develop reflective professional practice throughout the duration of the course.
Students undertake two Practicum of supervised fieldwork experience. The first Practicum is undertaken in Year Two for a total duration of 270 hours. This includes 200 hours of supervised placement experience; 36 hours of small group supervision conducted over two consecutive terms; and 34 hours of self-study, reading, research and assessment time per Practicum. The second Practicum is of equal duration.
Exit Qualifications
The Diploma of Applied Social Science is an exit award within the Bachelor course. The Diploma is equivalent to four terms or approximately eighteen months of full-time study or part-time equivalent. By the end of Year One, the student will have a foundational understanding of the counselling interaction and be capable of applying counselling and communication skills and interventions under supervision. During the fourth term of this course the student integrates their learning through reflection on social, legal, ethical and professional issues in counselling, interpersonal communication and related areas within the allied helping professions. During this fourth term of study students elect one specialisation unit in Counselling. The credit point rating for this award is 72 cps.
The Associate Degree of Applied Social Science is an exit qualification within the Bachelor course and requires the completion of two years of full-time study or part-time equivalent. The Associate Degree provides students with theoretical content in the social sciences and the capacity to apply this knowledge in practice. Year One covers the learning and vocational outcomes similar to the Diploma exit qualification. Year Two extends the student's knowledge into areas such as applied social research, the analysis and evaluation of social policy and the study of organisational behaviour and cultural diversity. In Year Two of the course students complete two Specialisation Units and Practicum 1 in Counselling. This course will help prepare the student for work as a para-professional in a range of professional and career settings. The credit point rating for this award is 120 cps.
COURSE SEQUENCE
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24 UNITS including 2 PRACTICUMS |
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Year 1
- Counselling Skills 1
- Counselling Skills 2
- Counselling Methods 1
- Counselling Methods 2
- Introducing Psychology
- Developmental Psychology
- Mental Health Issues
- Alcohol and Other Drugs Counselling
- Family and Relationship Counselling
- Counselling in Loss
- Conflict Management
- Social, Legal and Ethical Issues
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Year 2
- Group work Theory and Practice
- Social Analysis
- Crisis Intervention
- Practicum 1
- Social Policy
- Working with Children
- Applied Social Research
- Organisational Counselling
- Organisational Behaviour
- Practicum 2
- Career Counselling and Assessment
- Professional Development and Reflective Practice
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N.B.: The sequence and modules may vary depending on intakes.
Year 1 -- 12 Modules
Counseling Skills 1 and 2
Introduces you to the counselling process. With an applied approach, it provides you with a range of counselling skills and develops your effectiveness as a helper in the counselling role.
Counselling Methods 1 and 2
This module provides a range of theories, methods and practice in counselling. You learn to develop a critical understanding and appreciation of the approaches used in counselling.
Introduction to Psychology
This is assisted by an in-depth study of the role of psychology in today's world and its relevance as a social science to the workplace. Through an investigation of contemporary theories related to human behaviour, students gain a solid background in basic psychological theory and the relevance of its application to a variety of contexts, particularly that of the workplace.
Developmental Psychology
Throughout the module the student will acquire a basic knowledge of developmental psychology for understanding one's own behaviour and that of others. Each stage of development and the respective milestones are considered, taking students from infancy through to old age. The life passages individuals move through and the major theories of the adult stage are examined. Special issues including developmental disorders and therapeutic approaches are also covered.
Mental Health Issues
The student develops an understanding of psychological assessment and learns how to identify and appropriately refer people who present with a mental health issue. The broad spectrum of mental health issues are treated ranging from anxiety, mood and personality disorders, schizophrenia, eating disorders, substance misuse and legal and community issues in the treatment of mental health problems. The ethical, legal and social rights and obligations of people with mental health issues are explored and discussed.
Alcohol & Other Drugs Counselling
This module provides students with an introduction to contemporary substance misuse theory and its application in practice. Students learn to appropriately assess clients suffering the effects of substance misuse; to establish effective counselling role limits in such situations; how to refer clients; to understand the physical and psychological effects of drug dependency and to be familiar with the primary approaches currently used in the treatment of substance misuse.
Family & Relationship Counselling
Students develop an awareness of the similarities and differences between individual, relationship and family counselling; they learn to identify the different theoretical approaches associated with this form of counselling and to apply, assess and evaluate the effectiveness of family and relationship counselling.
Counselling in Loss
An understanding of the grief process and the influence of culture are considered together with the student's personal history and experience of grief and loss. Through study and self-reflection, students acquire strategies and skills to work confidently and appropriately with clients as they move through the grieving and loss process.
Conflict Management
Students study and apply contemporary concepts, strategies and techniques of conflict management that will contribute to an effective and efficient framework for management, negotiation and mediation. Students develop a conflict management perspective through which their knowledge and skills for dealing with conflict can be applied effectively and efficiently and to a wide range of situations and contexts
Social, Legal & Ethical Issues
Students develop a keen awareness and understanding of legal and ethical issues in counselling and their social implications. A wide variety of important and relevant topics are explored and researched, ranging from the impact of cultural differences in counselling to working with the victims of physical and emotional abuse. Students learn to recognise clients as individuals regardless of their culture, gender, disability or socio-economic status.
Year 2 -- 12 Modules
Group work Theory and Practice
Group work Skills is a highly interactive and experiential module in which group theory and practice are skillfully integrated so that students experience the what, why and how of groups and group work.
Students learn to identify the interpersonal dynamics at work in groups, to recognise focal conflict issues, to apply effective intervention strategies, to understand and appropriately facilitate a group and to situate what happens in group work into a theoretical and manageable framework.
Social Analysis
Students study sociological analysis as it is applied to real world issues. These issues are examined through the application of theoretical frameworks such as Functionalist, Interactionist, Marxist, Feminist and Postmodernist perspectives. These frameworks are then expanded upon and applied to the role of the state, social inequality, the family, education, health, mass media, gender and ethnicity and their on the individual and groups within society.
Crisis Intervention
Students learn to identify types of crisis and to apply appropriate intervention strategies and techniques for counselling people in crisis. The theory and practice of crisis intervention is experientially presented and students learn how to assess, counsel and refer clients.
Practicum 1
The purpose of this unit is to provide the student with the opportunity to consolidate and integrate their learning by application of theory and skills in an appropriate workplace setting under supervision. Students are also provided with guided opportunities to practice and develop their personal attributes and generic workplace skills. This unit provides the foundation for competent professional practice and is a prerequisite for Practicum 2 .
Social Policy
This module introduces students to social policy and its role in social change. Major theoretical frameworks for understanding social policy formation are studied and the impact of policy implementation is explored. The historical, social and economic contexts of policies are examined to better understand policy development, implementation and evaluation. A range of social policy areas is explored to enable students to analyse their social contexts and the impact of their implementation on society. Students critique various social policies to develop analytical and research skills and consider ways in which knowledge of policy formation can enhance professional practice.
Working with Children
The student is encouraged to understand the world of the child from a variety of theoretical and developmental perspectives and to develop strategies and techniques that will enhance communication and counselling skills in dealing with children.
Applied Social Research
This module introduces students to social research and its application to a range of professional contexts and roles. Students explore theoretical approaches to research and common research methodologies including quantitative and qualitative methods. The theory and practice of social research contributes to critically reflection on macro societal structures and specific social problems. Students develop the ability to view and to use research as a tool for social change and as part of their professional roles as advocates for social justice. Students examine evidence-based research for the legitimacy and consolidation of a range of professions and effective social practices. The module provides a repertoire of essential skills such as the ability to read and understand different types of research reports and to develop research-writing skills.
Organisational Counselling
Emphasis within this Module is focused on managers, supervisors, human resource personnel, counsellors and students in general gaining a social, legal and ethical perspective on the implications for counselling within organisational settings as well as a practical and skills-based orientation in the provision of counselling to people. Students gain the knowledge and skills to work confidently and competently as a counsellor in the areas of performance appraisal; assessment; disciplinary counselling; career counselling, planning and direction; counselling for termination and outplacement; and general workplace counselling. Furthermore, students are introduced to the HR Counselling related areas such as training and development; equal employment and affirmative action policies and principles; occupation health and safety; and mentoring, modelling and coaching in the workplace.
Organisational Behaviour
Thorough out the module, students study the impact and effect of change on individuals and organisations, the dynamics of personality, the issue of occupational stress and health related issues, the overall relationship of management and organisational structure and their impact on the performance of individuals and groups within the organisation. How people and groups behave in organisations and the impact that people have on the organisation's efficiency and effectiveness is also examined.
Practicum 2
The purpose of this unit is to consolidate personal, workplace and professional skills previously gained through workplace experience in Practicum 1 and to integrate and apply new theory and skills in an appropriate workplace setting under minimal supervision. Students are guided to develop and carry out a research project based on observations in the workplace setting in order to develop their analytical, synthesising and evaluative skills.
Career Counselling & Assessment
In Career Counselling and Assessment, students are introduced to the fundamentals of career counselling drawing on contemporary counselling theory and practice. The student gains a solid academic grounding in the theory of career counselling and a comprehensive understanding of the needs, issues and concerns of clients. The stages of the career counselling process are explored together with client assessment and the use of assessment instruments when working with clients.
Professional Development & Reflective Practice
This module seeks to achieve two goals: firstly to assist students in the integration of their studies throughout the duration of the course and secondly, to provide opportunities to prepare and plan for their ongoing professional and personal development as a reflective practitioner. Emphasis throughout the module is placed on maximising the student's self-awareness, integrating reflective practice into one's professional identify, and the application of appropriate and effective stress management strategies in their personal and professional lives. Student resources for career development, strategies to maintain and promote a healthy lifestyle and to prioritise goals and objectives are explored and developed.
For more information on ACAP, visit www.acap.edu.au
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