Academic Programmes
- Accredited and awarded by Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- The Master of Counselling offered by Flinders University in Singapore in partnership with ECTA, is equivalent to the Master of Counselling offered at the Adelaide, Australia, campus of Flinders University.
Graduate Certificate in Counselling
Course Structure
| Core Topics | Units |
| MHSC8036 Foundation Counselling Theories and Approaches | 4.5 |
| MHSC8037 Counselling Processes, Goals and Interventions | 4.5 |
| MHSC8039 Generic Counselling Competencies | 4.5 |
| MHSC8038 Principles of Counselling Ethics and Supervision | 4.5 |
| Total units | 18 |
Course Aims
The Graduate Certificate in Counselling at Flinders University aims to:
- Equip graduates with evidence-based knowledge of counselling theories and approaches that foster positive mental health outcomes for individuals, families and communities.
- Provide opportunities for both emerging and established counselling professionals to develop counselling knowledge and applied competencies that support emotional wellbeing and person-centred care.
Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Graduate Certificate in Counselling, graduates will be able to:
- Critically analyse evidence that informs counselling practice, and articulate interactions between mind, body, and environment in shaping individual mental wellbeing;
- Evaluate and apply counselling theories of human behaviour, demonstrating how behavioural, social, and environmental factors influence physical, social and mental health outcomes in practice; and
- Integrate counselling skills with self-management and person-centred approaches to promote self-efficacy, enhance health literacy, and support sustainable behaviour change in diverse populations.
Course Duration
This is a part-time course stretching across six (6) months. The duration does not include Course Orientation and the Administration of Pre-Course Counselling Process.
CONTACT HOURS (214 Hours)
Lectures: 122
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
Personal Journal: 30
Mode of Delivery
ECTA adopts a blended learning approach. Selected topics require 100% onsite, in-person as they are skilled-based in nature. Remaining topics range between 70% to 80% onsite, in-person learning and 20% to 30% online, via Zoom learning.
Entry Requirements
Applicants must hold one of the following:
- A degree qualification which need not be counselling-related from an approved tertiary institution
- Mature candidates who are non-degree holders and at least 25 years of age must have a minimum of five (5) years of working experience, supported by evidence of professional development.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT
All applicants must have at least 5 GCE “O” Level Passes, including a credit for English Language. Applicants without a credit in English will need to provide evidence of having attended the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and attained an overall band score of at least 6.5 points, or hold a Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) with a Pass grade of B2. Alternatively, applicants may provide evidence of their academic qualifications conducted in the English Language in Singapore or internationally.
RESIDENCY STATUS
Applicants must be a Singapore Citizen, a Singapore Permanent Resident, or a holder of a valid Work Permit, or valid Dependent Pass.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS
Applicants will be assessed for suitability through:
- an interview via ZOOM or face-to-face;
- submission of 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
- provision of one character reference where the referee is unrelated to the applicant at a personal level, for example, a family member of and relative, and who has a good knowledge of the applicant’s quality of work and suitability for the counselling programme.
| QUALIFICATIONS | PATHWAY | STAGE 1
Graduate Certificate in Counselling |
STAGE 2
Graduate Diploma in Counselling |
STAGE 3
Master of Counselling |
| 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 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 may be considered as a basis of admission to the Graduate Certificate in Counseling includes the following:
- management and leadership programs;
- skills development programs;
- para-counseling courses;
- personal and professional development courses;
- short courses on various counseling approaches;
- community, social services and health science courses;
- tertiary courses that provide a broad overview of relevant topics in counselling;
- courses related to Educational Studies / Psychology / Social Work / Nursing;
- assessment and intervention courses;
- community crisis training.
If you hold only a Diploma or Certificate qualification, the application has to be assessed and recommended by the Clinical and Academic Director for Flinders University’s consideration and approval. The Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions, admit others who are able to show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Course Fees
| Fee Component | Amount |
| Course Fees | S$9,040.46 |
| Administrative Fees | S$904.70 |
| FPS Premiums | S$59.67 |
| Total Course Fees for Stage of Study | S$10,004.83 |
| Number of Instalments, Interest Free | 3 |
Course Assessments
Details and requirements of Course assessments may be found in the Student Learner Guide which will be distributed to Trainee Counsellors on the day of the Course Orientation. Members of the public may access the required information by calling or e-mailing ECTA.
Course assessments required for the Topics are as follows:
MHSC8039 Generic Counselling Competencies (4.5 Units)
1 Essay, 1 Case Study and Classroom Live Assessment.
MHSC8036: Foundation Counselling Theories and Approaches (4.5 Units)
2 Essays.
MHSC8037 Counselling Processes, Goals and Interventions (4.5 Units)
Online Assessment and 1 Essay.
MHSC8038 Principles of Counselling Ethics and Supervision (4.5 Units)
Practicum log of counselling hours and clinical supervisor’s final report.
Graduation Criteria
- Attended Course Orientation
- Attended Course Review (End of Course)
- Completed at least 90% attendance for all lectures (inclusive of all make-up classes)
- Completed Direct Client Contact Hours (15 hours)
- Completed Individual Clinical Supervision (5 hours)
- Completed Group Supervision (6 hours)
- Clinical Supervisor’s Report Graded: Competent
- Completed One Journal (33 hours) and Integration of ECTA’s 5 Core Values
- Completed Professional Development Learning (10 hours)
- Successfully completed all assessments
- All Course Fees Paid Up for the Graduate Certificate in Counselling
Upon successful completion of the course of study and meeting the graduation criteria stipulated by Flinders University and ECTA, students will be awarded the Graduate Certifcate in Counselling. Below is a sample certificate.
Teaching Methodology
Trainee counsellors 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
Click for online application: