Graduate Diploma of Applied Social Science
The Graduate of Applied Social Science is a dynamic course that equips you in helping others in a professional and ethical manner. Experienced professionals and leaders within the industry will train you using practical and theoretical components to provide you with a competitive advantage within the field.
Do you desire to help communities and impact individuals? Or maybe you gain a sense of fullfillment when you comfort a loved one in need? If these statements speak to you,then the Graduate Diploma of Applied Social Science is made for you.
This dynamic course develops your communication skills and equips you to help others in a professional and ethical manner. You will be trained by exceptional academics and leaders from the industry who will support and encourage you in your studies.
If you wish to centralise your learning using a Christian Worldview and have the desire to make an impact, then apply today.
Dr Rebecca Loundar
Program Director, Graduate Diploma of Applied Social Science
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Course Description
CRICOS Course Code: 093684G
The Bachelor of Social Science is a degree comprised of 24 subjects (240 credit points). Every program for this award shall include:
▪ 4 compulsory core subjects
▪ 4 electives
▪ Deepen knowledge of counselling theory and practice in order to operate as an independent professional within their chosen profession;
▪ Demonstrated capacity to manage the self care, professional conduct and currency of both themselves and those under their leadership;
▪ Demonstrated ability to review, analyse, consolidate and synthesise knowledge pertaining to the social sciences and counselling and their integration;
▪ Demonstrated ability to be responsible and accountable for their own learning and practice;
▪ Demonstrated ability to think more critically, generate and creatively evaluate complex ideas;
▪ Demonstrated ability to operate professionally at a more highly skilled level;
▪ Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate understanding and complex knowledge to a variety of audiences;
▪ Demonstrated ability to plan, supervise and evaluate the work of others;
▪ Demonstrated high level of autonomy and personal development;
▪ Demonstrated self awareness and the ability to be self-evaluative;
▪ Demonstrated self care, professional conduct and the need to keep current in their field;
▪ Demonstrated self organisation and well developed judgement and adaptability;
▪ Demonstrated attributes that prepare students for membership advancement in their chosen professional association;
▪ Demonstrated interpersonal relationships with superiors and sub-ordinates;
Hobart
Sydney
Face-to-Face (weekly 3 hour lectures)
Intensive (4-5 days of lectures delivered within a one week period)
Extensive (4-5 days lectures delivered across a term period)
Blended Delivery (weekly video/audio lectures provided to be viewed at own convenience, along with intensives)
Full-Time: 1 Year (4 subjects per semester, 40 credit points)
Part-Time: Up to 4 Years (1 - 2 subjects per semester)
Please see the Indicative Fee Schedule for information about the domestic and international fees for this year: https://www.ac.edu.au/documents/fees-and-fee-help-information/
To view complete course structure, including a recommended course plan, click here.
Important note: There are 8 required bridging units for this course. Please consult the Enrolment Guide for the Graduate Diploma of Applied Social Science for more information.
Entry Requirements
IELTS
International Students will be required to show proficiency in English. Specific English requirements for this course are a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall, reading 6.5; writing 6.5; speaking 6.5; listening 6.5 (or equivalent).
Academic Entry Requirements
Applicants must meet one of the following academic entry requirements:
This course requires the completion an Australian Level 7 Bachelor degree or higher awarded under the Australian Qualifications Framework (or equivalent overseas qualification). Applicants with recent secondary education are not eligible for direct entry into this course.
This course requires the completion an Australian Level 7 Bachelor degree or higher awarded under the Australian Qualifications Framework (or equivalent overseas qualification). Applicants with a vocational education and training qualification are not eligible for direct entry into this course.
Completion an Australian Level 7 Bachelor degree awarded under the Australian Qualifications Framework (or equivalent overseas qualification).
OR
Completion of an Australian postgraduate qualification under the Australian Qualifications Framework (or equivalent overseas qualification).
This course requires the completion an Australian Level 7 Bachelor degree or higher awarded under the Australian Qualifications Framework (or equivalent overseas qualification). Applicants without a formal higher education qualification are not eligible for direct entry into this course.
Non-Academic Entry Requirements
Students are required to complete the new Working with Children Check online before they will be allowed to participate in professional practice subjects. Students will be classified as a ‘volunteer’ in Education.
Students may be requested to submit a Statement of Intention as part of their application for admission into this course. In addition, a pre-admission interview may also be conducted.
Fees
Complete Fee Schedules and FEE-HELP information (where appropriate) for all Alphacrucis courses can be found in our Documents section, under the Fees and FEE-HELP Information link.
Samir Eljagh Samir Eljagh (faculty profile)
Deb Hannaford (faculty profile)
Dr Katherine Hurrell (faculty profile)
Katherine currently holds the position of Senior Lecturer in the department of Social Sciences at Alphacrucis College, Sydney, Australia. She develops and teaches a range of social science and counselling subjects for students undertaking the bachelor and postgraduate programs and is also involved with the supervision of Higher Degree Research (HDR). Katherine obtained her PhD on a full scholarship from Macquarie University (Macquarie University Research Excellence Scholarship), which examined the role of parenting factors and emotion regulation in children diagnosed with an anxiety disorder. Her thesis was awarded the Vice Chancellor's Commendation for Academic Excellence and she had the privilege of presenting her findings at the World Congress of Behavioral and Cognitive Therapies conference (WCBCT) in Peru. Prior to this, Katherine obtained a Masters degree in Clinical Psychology (with Distinction) and a postgraduate diploma in Forensic Psychology (with Distinction). In addition to her academic role, Katherine is a fully registered psychologist with endorsement to practice in the area of clinical psychology. She has been consulting for over 15 years with both children/adolescents and adults in her busy private practice in Sydney's Hills District. Katherine enjoys the balance of her academic and professional roles; with each serving to compliment one another and provide a rewarding vocation. She brings a wide scope of psychological expertise to her teaching, having worked across a range of public and private settings, including hospitals, university clinics and NSW Corrections (offender management & rehabilitation). More recently, Katherine has partnered with local churches in the provision of wellbeing sessions for pastors, professional supervision and occasional speaking events. She finds the intersection of psychology/counselling and ministry a unique and energising area to practice. She also believes in the value of this work for the prevention of pastoral burnout. This area aligns with her general interests in positive psychology and wellbeing across industries and professions (e.g., education, corporate and first responders). When Katherine is not working, she can be found spending her time outdoors, keeping active and enjoying quality time with her husband, three sons and fun-loving labrador!
Professional Memberships:
Member, Australian Psychological Society
Fellow, Australian Psychological Society College of Clinical Psychologists
Member, Australian and New Zealand Association of Psychiatry, Psychology and the Law
Member, Anxiety Practitioners Network
Dr Rebecca Loundar (faculty profile)
Rev Dr Nigel Pegram (faculty profile)
Units offered as part of this Award:
- EXP450 - Practicum A
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Description: This subject provides an intensive learning experience in practical counselling. You will learn from experience by working with counsellees in a clinical setting, supplemented by individual and group supervision, and the opportunity to reflect on your cases in other subjects in the course. You will also gain a broader understanding of presenting problems, diagnosis, assessment and management through case conferences involving an approved mix of peer review, professional development and supervisors. Unit detail page >>
- EXP505 - Aged Care
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- EXP506 - Justice Frameworks
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- EXP550 - Practicum B
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- SSC402 - Case Management
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Description: This subject will prepare you for working within the human services. It will provide an overview of the human services as a whole and of some of the theoretical approaches that may guide practice. This subject will include a focus on case management and the many roles that case managers, counsellors and social workers may take within the human services and counselling practice. Reflective Practice will be discussed throughout the course schedule to aid you in becoming familiar with the processes and theories that underpin good practice. Unit detail page >>
- SSC403 - Psychology Of Emotion
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Description: This is a first year Applied Social Science core subject that introduces students to the fields of psychology, social science and the importance of emotions in human identity. It leads into other psychology subjects and informs subjects such as grief and loss. This subject will allow students to develop a better understanding and management of their emotions. Students learn how to use this as a basis for building a framework to identify and work appropriately with the emotions of clients in an empathetic and professional manner. Unit detail page >>
- SSC404 - Grief and Loss
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Description: This is a second-year core subject that builds on Skills for Counselling, introducing students into the specialist skills and knowledge that will enable them to support those who seek help in grief and loss contexts. This subject examines uncomplicated and complicated grief processes and provides diverse opportunities for insight and personal reflection into the theories of grief and loss. Students will develop principles and practices for grief and loss counselling enabling them to support those who are suffering grief due to bereavement or other significant losses. Unit detail page >>
- SSC405 - Skills for counselling
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Description: On successfully completing this subject, you will be able to use practical skills for more effective interpersonal communication as well as basic counselling skills. This subject has been designed to comply with PACFA training requirement: Students must have completed a course of which at least 100 hours is experiential. Experiential activities refer to clinical training methods, such as modelling by clinicians, counsellor-client practice, clinical placements, role-plays, and concrete and specific feedback. Unit detail page >>
- SSC406 - Reflective Counselling
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- SSC408 - Professional Accountability
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- SSC501 - Human Lifespan Development
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Description: This subject will introduce you to the developmental processes and tasks that an individual is expected to accomplish over the lifespan from conception to death. The subject will include multicultural and critical perspectives on development across the lifespan and will assist you in helping others understand normal developmental processes. Unit detail page >>
- SSC502 - Principles of Trauma Work
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Description: This subject allows the class to examine the complex issues of trauma and abuse in contemporary society. It aims to raise your awareness and knowledge of the nature and forms of trauma and/or abuse in relationships, the consequences of these on individuals, families and communities, as well as to develop appropriate skills and attitudes to counsel or refer counsellors from these backgrounds. Unit detail page >>
- SSC503 - Introduction to Psychology
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Description: This subject provides a basic overview of the nature, scope, models and theories of modern psychology and allows you to consider how these may impact on the worldview you currently hold. Unit detail page >>
- SSC504 - Counselling Frameworks
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Description: This subject builds on the foundations of Skills for Counselling by introducing advanced counselling techniques and a counselling framework. You will gain the ability to assess, understand specific client needs, and use counselling micro-skills and techniques in working with people in a counselling context. During the subject you will learn how to counsel clients with problems in the areas of anger, stress, self- esteem and other specific issues. This subject has been designed to comply with PACFA training requirement for which you must have completed a course where at least 100 hours is experiential. Experiential activities refer to clinical training methods, such as modelling by clinicians, counsellor-client practice, clinical placements, role-plays, and concrete and specific feedback. Unit detail page >>
- SSC505 - Social Identity In Australia
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Description: This subject will provide an introduction to understanding Australian society from a sociological perspective. You will gain an understanding of the social and cultural influences on the formation of identity. Through a grasp of sociological theory applied to different features, structures, and institutions, you will be better equipped to understand Australian society, and the need for a broad-range of interventions in people’s lives that work in conjunction with psychological interventions. This subject will equip you to engage with the broader public and policy realms in which the practitioner will move. Unit detail page >>
- SSC506 - Relationship Work
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Description: This subject draw on knowledge from previous subjects and perspectives on personality, the formation of habitual behaviour, the influence of the family of origin, culture and gender; and separation, divorce and step families. It will help you understand some of the complexities of relationship therapy, including attitudes, emotions and behaviours that have a positive or negative impact on relationships. This subject has been designed to comply with PACFA training requirement: Students must have completed a course of which at least 100 hours is experiential. Experiential activities refer to clinical training methods, such as modelling by clinicians, counsellor-client practice, clinical placements, role-plays, and concrete and specific feedback. Unit detail page >>
- SSC508 - Mental Health
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Description: This subject will help students recognise signs of mental health conditions and how to provide appropriate support, help, or referral for individuals with these issues. Students will explore causality and identify the role of the community in supporting people with mental health conditions. Unit detail page >>
- SSE407 - Respecting Cultural Diversity
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- SSE501 - Applied Counselling Theories A
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Description: This subject will trace the development of current counselling methodologies starting with Freud and moving forward to current day approaches. You will be encouraged to trial the key components of each theory and compare and contrast the effectiveness of each in a range of contexts. Unit detail page >>
- SSE502 - Applied Counselling Theories B
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Description: This subject will trace the development of current counselling modalities starting with Freud and moving forward. You will be encouraged to trial the key components of each theory and compare and contrast the effectiveness of each in a range of contexts. You will discuss integration in terms of theology and psychology and explore integrative psychology. Unit detail page >>
- SSE503 - Engaging Families
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Description: This subject will introduce a comprehensive, inclusive understanding of the concept of family. It will present a variety of perspectives and theories for understanding families, their dynamics, and the impact on the individual. Counselling individuals, couples and families from a systemic versus individualistic perspective will be explored, with reference to modern and post-modern theoretical approaches to counselling. Role plays will form a significant learning tool to enable students to develop awareness of the challenges and effective interventions that can be utilised when working with individuals, couples and families in a systemic counselling model. This subject also provides a framework for students to explore their own family experiences and to assess how those experiences have impacted their development and may influence or impact their counselling practice. Unit detail page >>
- SSE504 - Australian Aboriginal Studies
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- SSE505 - Understanding Addictions
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Description: This subject aims to equip students to understand the issues and dynamics surrounding the development of addictions and the focus of particular addictions. It will focus on a range of addictive behaviours. Students will examine the causes, characteristics, consequences and management associated with addictions. Unit detail page >>
- SSE506 - Chaplaincy and Pastoral Care
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- SSE511 - Basics of Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
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Description: This subject aims to introduce students to the theory and practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Students will gain insights into the main theories, concepts and skills of CBT and the way in which they are applied to a variety of counselling scenarios. This intensive will give students the opportunity to experience and deliver CBT skills. Students will also develop skills in case formulation using a cognitive-behavioural approach. Unit detail page >>
- SSE513 - Basics of Narrative Therapy
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- SSE514 - Basics of Solution Focused Therapy
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- SSE515 - Basics of Creative Therapies
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- SSE517 - Working with Children and Adolescents
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Description: This subject examines developmental, psychological and behavioural aspects of child and adolescent development, providing knowledge, understanding and insights that will help counsellors function as members of management teams. Unit detail page >>
- SSE521 - Supervision of People Helpers
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- XXX587 - Special Elective
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Description: This subject will reflect an exploration of this specialist area of study, and build upon previous knowledge gained by the student in their studies. Unit detail page >>
