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The Graduate Program - Awards

Post-graduate awards
Non-award courses

Post-graduate awards in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling

The program offers post-graduate awards at the Certificate, Diploma and Masters levels. It is accredited by the University of Adelaide and is a NALAG (VIC) recognised Loss & Grief Training Course.

Graduate Certificate in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling

The Graduate Certificate in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling is the first step towards professional training in grief counselling.

Entry requirements:

• Tertiary degree or equivalent
• Personal and professional suitability

The Certificate comprises 6 courses, worth 2 units each, providing a total of 12 units. 10 units form the core curriculum in the Certificate. These include Bereavement, Grief Counselling 1, 2 and 3, and Supervised Field Education. Students may choose between ‘Loss and Grief’ and ‘Issues in Death & Dying’ to make up the final 2 units.

Students who graduate with the Certificate in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling are considered to have an understanding of grief, both as a phenomenon and as a process, and to be competent in using generic counselling skills to assess and intervene appropriately in grief situations.

Diploma in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling

The Diploma in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling builds on the knowledge and skills acquired in the Certificate.

Entry requirements:

• Graduate Certificate in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling and proven academic ability
• Personal and professional suitability
• Access to ongoing counselling-related work with clients / patients

The Diploma year places a heavy emphasis on practical counselling, with the core curriculum consisting of 2 counselling courses, worth 3 units each, plus a 2 unit course which provides 50 hours of supervision.
Students must have access to a client load in the Diploma year.

In addition to the core curriculum in the Diploma, students may choose 2 electives to complete the required 12 units for the Diploma.

Students who graduate with the Diploma in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling are considered to have advanced knowledge and competence in the handling of grief situations. They are eligible for Professional Membership of the Counselling Association of South Australia, and may choose to participate in the counselling profession, either independently or within a service agency setting.  

Masters in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling

The Masters in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling is a Masters by coursework, and offers the opportunity to research a grief or counselling-related area.

Entry requirements:

• Graduate Diploma in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling and proven academic ability
• Personal and professional suitability
• A minimum of one years relevant work experience

Students are encouraged to consider research topics relevant to their workplace and to undertake a research project in their chosen area of interest.

This takes the form of a dissertation, written in the form of a publishable paper, which is worth 12 units.  

Masters in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling Research

The Master in Grief and Palliative Care Research is a Higher Degree by Research. It offers the opportunity for appropriately qualified and experienced professionals to undertake more extensive research in a specialised area of interest in grief and loss.

The Department of General Practice is well set up to support research and can provide useful networks to areas in which people experience grief, particularly through physical and mental illness. The Department also offers a short course in Research Design and Methodology for those wanting to acquire or refresh research skills.

Entry requirements:

• A University Honours degree, or
• A University degree and at least two years’ professional experience, or
• Graduate Diploma in Grief and Palliative Care Counselling