Graduate Diploma in Counselling

Academic Programmes

Accredited and awarded by Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia.
The Graduate Diploma in Counselling is recognised by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
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 Diploma in Counselling

Course Structure

Core Topics	Units
MHSC8040 Approaches to Counselling Theories	4.5
MHSC9034 Advanced Counselling Competencies and Group Processes	4.5
MHSC8041 Psychological Disorders and Counselling Support	4.5
MHSC8042 Research Methods in Counselling	4.5
Total units	18

Course Aims

The Graduate Diploma in Counselling at Flinders University aims to:

Prepare graduates to be reflective, self-aware, and highly competent in delivering holistic care that meets the mental health needs of individuals and communities; and
Develop strong, practice-ready competencies in evidence-based assessment, counselling, and self-management interventions, empowering graduates to provide person-centred support across diverse populations and care settings.

Learning Outcomes

Upon successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Counselling, graduates will be able to:

Deliver evidence-based, person-centred counselling interventions that support individuals in managing mental health challenges, enhancing resilience and fostering emotional well-being; >
Apply collaborative and reflective clinical practices, using evidence-based skills in a safe, ethical, and legally compliant manner to achieve high-quality care and positive client outcomes;
Demonstrate proficiency in assessment, case formulation, care planning, implementation, and evaluation within counselling contexts, ensuring interventions support clients’ psychological and emotional needs; and
Engage in ongoing professional development that cultivates self-awareness, reflective practice, and continuous growth as a counselling practitioner, strengthening personal and professional capacity.

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 (320 Hours)

Lectures: 179
Clinical Practice: 95
Case Management: 30
Group Supervision: 9
Individual Supervision: 6
Counselling Direct Contact Hours: 30
Professional Development Learning (PDL): 16
Clinical Facilities Visit: 4
Personal Journal: 46

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 a degree or have an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution, or possess a Graduate Certificate in Counselling awarded by Flinders University, Swinburne University of Technology or any other equivalent qualification

CREDIT EXEMPTION

Applicants may be accepted directly into the Graduate Diploma in Counselling if they have completed counselling-related programmes from a recognised university or institution. Credit exemptions, where applicable, may be granted up to a maximum of 50% of the nested suite of courses.
Direct entry applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, subject to the decision of the Clinical and Academic Director of ECTA and approved by Flinders University. No further Academic Credit exemptions are allowed after the course of study has commenced
As advised by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) in 2024, Credit Exemption is not applicable to Counselling Practice and Individual Supervision. As such, all applicants must complete 40 Counselling Practice hours and 6 Individual Supervision hours.

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 a 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

Course Fees

Fee Component	Amount
Course Fees	S$11,620.71
Administrative Fees	S$1,417.00
FPS Premiums	S$78.23
Total Course Fees for Stage of Study	S$13,115.94
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 course orientation. Members of the public may access the required information by calling or e-mailing ECTA.

Course assessments required for the Units are as follows:

MHSC8040 Approaches to Counselling Theories (4.5 Units)
1 Essay, 1 Online Assessment and 1 Written Examination required for this unit.

MHSC8042 Research Methods in Counselling (4.5 Units)
1 Major Group Research Project and 1 Individual Essay required for this unit.

MHSC8041 Psychological Disorders and Counselling Support (4.5 Units)
1 Essay and 1 Case Study required for this unit.

MHSC9034 Advanced Counselling Competencies and Group Processes (4.5 Units)
Practicum log of counselling hours and clinical supervisor’s final report.

Graduating 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 (25 hours)
Completed Individual Clinical Supervision (6 hours)
Completed Group Supervision (9 hours)
Clinical Supervisor’s Report Graded: Competent
Completed One Journal (46 hours) and Integration of ECTA’s 5 Core Values
Completed Professional Development Learning (20 hours)
Successfully completed all assessments
All Course Fee Fees Paid Up for the Graduate Diploma 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 Diploma 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

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