Counselling

Bachelor of Counselling | Admission Requirements | Application & Selection Procedures | Academic Handbook | Courses Offered in 2013

The School of Counselling at Laidlaw College consists of a team of dedicated, qualified counselling professionals who are committed to the preparation of theologically reflective professional counsellors who will embody this vision, bringing renewal to the communities of which they are a part. They achieve this through the delivery of the Bachelor of Counselling (BCouns) programme, an applied degree that achieves something quite unique in its graduates — the integration of rich trinitarian theology with a robust relational approach to counselling theory and practice that is truly original.

Graduates of the programme have learnt how to draw from some of the best counselling methods, while also being theologically reflective practitioners. Good theology wrestles not only with who God has revealed himself to be, but also what it means to be human in relation to God. The BCouns has this wrestle at the heart of its curriculum.

Specifically, the counselling model embedded in the BCouns programme builds on the theories and practices of Person-Centred and Narrative Therapy, equipping graduates in these modalities while also developing a relational approach that resonates with theologies of a relational God.

Formation is a vital component of the BCouns. Graduates of the programme have wrestled with their own brokenness and their relational strategies as much as they have grappled with counselling concepts and techniques. Much of their learning happens in personal counselling and in group process, in which all students participate each semester. It is in these groups that deep and enduring renewal takes place.

BCouns graduates have a rich understanding of personhood-in-relationship. Courses such as Personhood, Relationality and Faith have been designed intentionally to prepare them for this. They also have a rich sense and eagerness to participate in the lives of others, particularly others who are suffering the effects of their broken reality.

The BCouns is a professional degree that equips graduates for membership of the professional counselling associations and for future registration. The BCouns is currently offered at the Auckland campus, and at the Christchurch campus from 2013 (pending NZQA site approval).

Bachelor of Counselling

Counselling Academic Handbook (2013) (920 KB)

Programme Summary

Level: 7, 360 credits
Duration: Full-time for three years. Part-time options may be available at the discretion of the Head of School please contact the Admissions Office in the first instance.
Starts: February July (part-time with a view to full-time study beginning the whole year)
Places: Limited places available
Application Dates: Semester One Early: until 30 November (of prev year) Semester One Final: until 3 February 2013 Semester Two: Please contact the Admissions Office
Campus: Auckland, Christchurch
Tuition Fee: $5,166 plus Student Services Fee (120 credits)

About the Programme

The Bachelor of Counselling is a 360 credit programme normally completed on a fulltime basis over three years. It is designed to prepare students for professional practice. It will equip them with a range of counselling skills, teach them to critically engage with a range of counselling theories, and develop their ability to integrate these with a relational theological method. The course meets the criteria established for provisional membership with the professional associations for counsellors in New Zealand - the NZAC and the NZCCA. The Bachelor of Counselling is currently offered at the Auckland campus and at the Christchurch campus from 2013 (pending NZQA site approval).

Programme Objectives

The Bachelor of Counselling programme is designed to equip students with a range of counselling skills; teach them to critically engage with a range of counselling theories; and develop their ability to integrate these with a relational theological approach, in order to prepare them for professional practice. By the completion of this programme students will be proficient in the practice of counselling with an emphasis on relationality, and will be equipped to be engaged in professional counselling practice. They will have engaged, practically and critically, with a range of counselling approaches – but specifically Person-Centred and Narrative Therapy – and will have demonstrated the ability to integrate their theory and practice with sound theological approach. They will have satisfactorily demonstrated their ability to practice under supervision, and will have entered the early stages of practice and research.

Course Structure

Full Bachelor of Counselling Course

Year	Theological Foundations	Counselling Theory and Practice	Practicum
1	115.515 Biblical Theology 401.515 Formation	900.515 Foundations of Relational Practice (A) 901.515 Foundations of Relational Practice (B) 906.515 Personhood, Relationality, and Faith 907.515 Counselling and Biculturalism 909.515 Human Development 910.515 Relational Psychology (A)
2	503.6/715 Ways of Knowing	902.615 Relational Theories & Practice (A) 903.615 Relational Theories & Practice (B) 908.615 Counselling & Diversity 910.615 Relational Psychology (B) 911.615 Relationships & Family	930.615 Professional Practice (A) 931.615 Professional Practice (B)
3	921.6/715 Theology of Suffering and Hope	904.715 Integrated Practice (A) 905.715 Integrated Practice (B) 912.715 Research Methods	932.730 Practicum (A) 933.730 Practicum (B)
Credits	60 Credits	210 Credits	90 Credits
Total 360 Credits

For the structure of other course options within the School of Counselling see the School of Counselling Academic Handbook

Admission Requirements

GENERAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

At least 42 NCEA Level 3 credits or equivalent

At least 14 credits at Level 3 or higher in each of two subjects from the approved subject list.
The remaining 14 credits at Level 3 or higher taken from no more than two additional approved subjects.
At least of 14 credits at Level 1 or higher in Mathematics.
At least 8 credits at Level 2 or higher which show reading and writing skills in English or Te Reo Maori.

NCEA Equivalence can include:

University Entrance, A or B Bursary.
Overseas equivalent qualifications, including International Baccalaureate and Cambridge International Exam, or HSC (Australia).
Other NZQA Level 3 certificates in similar discipline.
Reference/support/documentation from employer – this will be accepted as equivalent at our discretion and applicant may need to sit assessment for entry.

SPECIAL ADMISSION

For applicants who do not meet the above requirements, and are aged 20 years or older, an Entry Assessment will be required. Possible study options can arise depending on the assessment result:

An offer of entry to a Level 4 programme.
Entry to Bachelor of Counselling.

Entry Assessment

Includes one hour written test focussing on (academic) English skills and biblical knowledge.
Dates for assessment will be advised.

MINIMUM AGE

All candidates must be at least 20 years of age on or before the first day of semester in which the proposed programme of study is offered.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENTS

These requirements are in addition to those outlined above and apply to applicants for whom English is not their first language. Applicants for whom English is not their first language must provide an academic IELTS result of higher than 6.0 for entry to Level 5 programmes.

IELTS 6.0 (with min of 6.0 in writing, reading, speaking, listening).
Applicants must meet both the academic and English language requirements for the course applied for.

A waiver for the IELTS may be granted:

For those applicants who have a three year, Level 7 (or higher) NZQA qualifi cation which was taught in the English medium and was obtained from an appropriately accredited New Zealand institution, or equivalent qualification taught in the English medium from and overseas appropriately accredited institution in a country in which English is an official language.
For those who have successfully completed three or more years of schooling at a New Zealand high school, including success of at least NCEA Level 1 and NCEA Level 2.

POLICE CLEARANCE

It is a condition of enrolment that students submit a police clearance, the cost of which is the responsibility of the student. Domestic applicants should sign and submit a release form for NZ Police Clearance with their application. International applicants for the BCouns must provide a police clearance certificate from their country of citizenship AND for any country in which they have lived for more than a 12 month period in the last ten years. This police clearance should be less than six months old and be presented at the time of application.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES FOR YEAR ONE

Candidates should request an application form for entry into the BCouns and have submitted this by the application dates specified for entry into the programme. As part of the application process, candidates will be required to arrange for two referees to complete confidential Reference Forms, and candidates shall also be required to supply the contact details for one additional referee who may be contacted if deemed necessary. These forms must accompany the completed application.

Selection Interview for Year One

All candidates who have successfully completed the fi rst stage of the application process will be expected to attend a group interview, and, if required, a further interview by a panel of two selectors.

During the interview, the candidate will be assessed on their ability to successfully complete academic studies at this level and any relevant training or experience in communication skills. Candidates must demonstrate a willingness to learn and receive personal feedback in a non-defensive way, and a personal maturity appropriate for someone involved in a counselling role. They must demonstrate a level of self-awareness and critical self-reflection appropriate for someone beginning a counselling training programme. They must also demonstrate relational maturity and a commitment to wrestling with core issues of the Christian faith.

A background knowledge and understanding of the “story” of Scripture is required. Satisfactory completion of a Laidlaw College certificate, diploma or degree, or an equivalent, would be an advantage.

Applications for Recognition of Prior Learning should be made, in the first instance, to the Head of School. See the General Information and Regulations section of the Academic Calendar online for further details.

RESELECTION PROCEDURE FOR ENTRY INTO YEAR TWO

In order to complete Year One and successfully transition into Year Two of the programme, a student will be required to satisfactorily fulfil the following criteria:

Completion of all Year One requirements, including:
- 10 hours of personal counselling.
- At least 75 credits of counselling theory and practice courses (which must include 900.515 Foundations of Relational Practice A and 901.515 Foundations of Relational Practice B), and 30 credits of theological foundations.
Assessment in an interview by a selection panel of at least two, as being capable of successfully completing all components of the programme.
Current or potential access to clients. Practicum forms an integral part of the Year Two and Year Three programme. Students will be required to complete a minimum of 200 hours of supervised counselling over Years Two and Three.
Current or potential access to a supervisor who meets the requirements as outlined in the practicum booklet.

Students must be able to demonstrate during their assessment interview that they have been developing in areas of personal growth, including the following:

Communication skills.
Willingness to learn and receive personal feedback in a non-defensive manner.
Attitudes of empathy, positive regard and genuineness.
Integrated personal maturity appropriate for someone practicing as a counsellor.
Ability to challenge clients within the context of a caring and respectful relationship.
Respect for individual gender, socio-economic and ethnic differences.

RESELECTION PROCEDURE FOR ENTRY INTO YEAR THREE

Entry into Year Three is based on successful completion of learning requirements for Year Two. This includes ongoing personal counselling, a minimum of 5 hours in Year Two. Students must also meet the following criteria:

Completion of 902.615 Relational Theories and Practice A and 903 615 Relational Theories and Practice B, plus a further 30 credits of counselling theory and practice courses and completion of 15 credits of theological foundations.
Practicum work: 930.615 Professional Practice A must be completed. If 931.615 Professional Practice B is not completed, then an extension must be applied for and approved before acceptance to enter year three is given.

APPLICATION AND SELECTION PROCEDURES FOR DIPCOUNS GRADUATES BRIDGING TO BCOUNS

In order to enrol in the bridging programme from the DipCouns to the BCouns candidates are required to satisfactorily demonstrate the following:

A high level of competency in the core skills.
Competent professional practice commensurate with the learning outcomes of Professional Practice B. Video may be requested.
A current placement for Practicum B that meets the requirements as outlined in the practicum booklet.
Non-Laidlaw diploma graduates must provide an academic transcript with their application. For details on the courses undertaken in the DipCouns to BCouns bridging programme see the table on page 5.