Course details

Summary

If your aim is to become a professionally qualified counsellor, this is the programme for you.

After completing this programme, you’ll be able to enter the counselling profession at a beginning practitioner level.

Practical placements are an essential part of the programme and you’ll spend time working in community agencies. You’ll also be involved in your own counselling and group work each year. In your final year, you’ll be able to select a practice focus in either Mental Health and Addictions counselling, 毛利-centred counselling or Family/Whānau counselling. Once you’ve graduated, you’ll be able to apply for membership of a relevant professional body such as the NZAC, Te Whāriki Tautoko, DAPAANZ or NZ Christian Counsellors Association.

You’ll have developed the skills and professional attributes to enable you to work collaboratively within this increasingly complex and interdisciplinary sector.

Career opportunities & pathways

As a graduate of this programme you’ll be eligible for provisional membership of professional associations. While registration of counsellors is currently not mandatory, the current benchmark for counselling practice is membership of an appropriate professional association with an appropriate code of ethics such as the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), Te Whāriki Tautoko, or the New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association (NZCCA). Counsellors working in the addictions field in the health workforce require DAPAANZ registration.

You'll be qualified to work in a range of social services, mental health, and other counselling related roles. You may also pathway into relevant postgraduate programmes at Wintec and/or other tertiary education providers. Postgraduate study will enable you to practice at a more advanced level specialist fields such as education, management, human resources, career development, social services and mental health.

Entry criteria

Academic requirements

Candidates are required to have:

a) University Entrance which is NCEA Level 3 comprised of 60 credits at NCEA Level 3 or above and 20 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above, including:

i. 14 credits each at NCEA Level 3 in three approved subjects and

ii. Literacy (10 credits at NCEA Level 2 or above made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing); and

iii. Numeracy (10 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above); or

b) A relevant qualification at Level 4 on the NZQF ; or equivalent

If you do not meet these entry requirements you may be considered for special admission (if you are 20 years or over). In such cases, entry will be dependent on whether you can demonstrate a reasonable likelihood of success in the programme.

English Language requirements

Applicants who have English as an additional language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 6.5 across all bands or equivalent.

Other requirements

You are required to indicate whether you have been convicted of, or are being prosecuted for, a criminal offence as some types of criminal convictions may limit your ability to secure practicum placements or eligibility for registration with the professional associations.