QUALIFICATION
Bachelor’s Degree (Level 7, 360 credits)
Duration
3 years
Location
Nelson
Fees
NZ$26,000
Entry Score
IELTS 6.5 (in all subtests) or NZCEL 5
Next Intake
February
Programme Overview
This degree prepares you to enter the counselling profession as a beginning practitioner with a strong understanding of legal, ethical, and cultural responsibilities. The programme emphasizes a bi-cultural framework, integrating Māori perspectives and the Treaty of Waitangi into counselling practice.
Students gain significant real-world experience through practicum placements in community agencies. In your first year, you will experience counselling firsthand and participate in group processes to build the self-awareness necessary for effective practice.
What You'll Study
The degree balances theoretical frameworks with supervised clinical practice.
Year 1 (Level 5 Foundations):
- Te Timatanga: Introduction to counselling skills and professional practice.
- Human Development: Exploring psychology and lifespan development.
- Society in Aotearoa: Understanding the social contexts of counselling.
- Personal Growth: Involvement in personal counselling and group processes.
Year 2 (Level 6 Practice):
- Theory & Practice: In-depth study of various counselling modalities.
- Mental Health & Addictions: Foundations of working with complex client needs.
- Whānau & Ethics: Working with families and understanding legal/ethical boundaries.
- Practicum 1: Initial supervised placement in a community agency.
Year 3 (Level 7 Mastery):
- Specialization: Choosing a focus in Addictions, Whānau, or Youth.
- Research: Professional practice research and indigenous liberation studies.
- Practicum 2: Advanced supervised placement and presentation of practice.
- Te More: Transforming Treaty-based practice in a professional context.
Why Choose This Programme?
- Professional Path: Graduates are eligible to apply for provisional membership with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) or DAPAANZ (for addictions).
- Supervised Placements: Hands-on experience in Years 2 and 3 with qualified clinical supervisors.
- Bicultural Focus: Deep integration of Te Ao Māori ensures graduates can work effectively within the diverse cultural landscape of Aotearoa.
- Personal Development: Unique focus on the counsellor’s own journey, including personal therapy requirements.
Career Pathways
| Sector | Roles |
|---|---|
| Community Services | Agency Counsellor, Family Support Worker, Youth Worker |
| Health Sector | Addictions Counsellor, Mental Health Support, DHB Roles |
| Education | School Counsellor (often requires further study), Student Support |
| Private Practice | Self-employed Counsellor (typically after gaining full membership) |
Entry Requirements
- Academic: NCEA Level 3 with UE. Alternative entry is available for those with relevant work/life experience.
- Safety Checks: All candidates undergo a police vet, referee checks, and a risk assessment as per the Vulnerable Children's Act 2014.
- Selection Process: Mandatory formal interview/hui. Selection is based on the applicant's emotional maturity and likelihood of success.
- English: Strict requirement of IELTS 6.5 (all bands 6.5+) for those whom English is a second language.
- Technology: A laptop is required for coursework and accessing the Moodle learning platform.
