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Course Outline

COU303 Counselling Placement and Development 1

Course Coordinator:Kelly Thomson (kthomson1@usc.edu.au) School:School of Law and Society

2025Semester 1

UniSC Sunshine Coast

UniSC Moreton Bay

 Blended learning Most of your course is on campus but you may be able to do some components of this course online.

Please go to usc.edu.au for up to date information on the
teaching sessions and campuses where this course is usually offered.

What is this course about?

Description

This course explores counselling values, theories, knowledge and skills and their integration into practice in a safe, supportive and supervised setting, which will include clinical practice supervision. In preparation for practice, you will identify and develop skills appropriate to core theoretical approaches in counselling and supervision to enable you to describe, analyse and utilise these skills on placement. Counselling methods are experienced, knowledge and theories applied, and skills developed. This course has a focus on developing and applying your skills as a reflective practitioner. You will accumulate 20 hours of direct client contact supported by counselling clinical supervision, within 250 agency placement relevant hours, as per the professional association training standards.

How will this course be delivered?

Activity Hours Beginning Week Frequency
Blended learning
Placement – Mandatory pre-placement workshop to attend prior to semester commencing. 4hrs Pre-semester/trimester/session Once Only
Placement – Accumulate 250 hours, including 20 client contact hours supported by clinical supervision 250hrs Throughout teaching period (refer to Format) Once Only
Learning materials – 1 hour of online asynchronous learning activities to introduce weekly curricula to students via recorded lectures, videos, interactive activities and discussion forums. 1hr Week 1 11 times
Tutorial/Workshop 1 – Weekly 2 hour on campus tutorial designed to consolidate learning and provide group supervision with whole cohort, discussing ethical dilemmas that students are currently negotiating. 2hrs Week 1 11 times

Course Topics

Allocated counselling topics in relation to direct clinical practice experienced during placement focusing on the application of core counselling micro skills, client consent and confidentiality, risk assessment, client presenting issues, application of Code of Ethics and relevant legislation and development of critical reflection skills to increase counselling competency.

What level is this course?

300 Level (Graduate)

Demonstrating coherence and breadth or depth of knowledge and skills. Independent application of knowledge and skills in unfamiliar contexts. Meeting professional requirements and AQF descriptors for the degree. May require pre-requisites where discipline specific introductory or developing knowledge or skills is necessary. Normally undertaken in the third or fourth full-time study year of an undergraduate program.

What is the unit value of this course?

24 units

How does this course contribute to my learning?

Course Learning Outcomes On successful completion of this course, you should be able to... Graduate Qualities Completing these tasks successfully will contribute to you becoming...
1 Identify, articulate and describe beginning skills in developing a critically reflective practice including how your values, beliefs, and ethical mindedness impinge on your practice. Empowered
Ethical
2 Recognise principles and competencies required in supervision practices. Assess and identify ways of strengthening the supervisee/supervisor relationship and the relationships with colleagues in the agency and on campus. Knowledgeable
3 Begin to analyse organisational systems and processes and identify inequalities. Knowledgeable
Engaged
4 Apply the values and ethical principles of counselling according to USC Student Code of Conduct, Student Placement Agreement and ACA and PACFA Codes of Ethics, acting in a professional manner. Ethical
5 Demonstrate respect and valuing others with an understanding of and sensitivity towards the issue of cultural diversity, gender and disability. Ethical
6 Demonstrate graduate level academic reflective skills in oral and written format, and compliance with accepted APA 7th ed. conventions. Empowered

Am I eligible to enrol in this course?

Refer to the UniSC Glossary of terms for definitions of “pre-requisites, co-requisites and anti-requisites”.

Pre-requisites

COU100, COU101, COU176, COU180, COU200, COU265

Co-requisites

Not applicable

Anti-requisites

COU361 and COU363

Specific assumed prior knowledge and skills (where applicable)

Not applicable

How am I going to be assessed?

Grading Scale

Limited Grading (PNP)

Pass (PU), Fail (UF). All assessment tasks are required to be passed for successful completion of the course.

Details of early feedback on progress

Timely and detailed feedback is provided for each assessment. Feedback is provided both within text and general comments to build scholarly skills. Students are able to seek feedback through face-to-face discussion with the course coordinator. Tutorials will include extended discussion and review of the assessment task requirements and scope.

Assessment tasks

Delivery mode Task No. Assessment Product Individual or Group What is the duration / length? When should I submit? Where should I submit it?
All 1 Oral Individual or Group 
Individual - 15 minutes plus 5 minutes
for questions
Group - 20 minutes plus 5 minutes for
questions
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 2 Journal Individual 
1300 words
 Refer to Format Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 3 Essay Individual 
2000 words
 Exam Period Online Assignment Submission with plagiarism check
All 4 Artefact - Professional Individual 
250 placement hours
10 min case conceptualisation presentation (with written document)
 Refer to Format SONIA
All - Assessment Task 1:Placement Presentation
Goal: 
Delivery of an oral presentation of your
placement agency highlighting your
reflection on counselling theories,
methods, skills; ACA and PACFA Codes of
Ethics; and other relevant policies,
legislation that inform your placement
practice and response in relation to an
identified ethical dilemma with the use of
a recognised ethical decision making
model.
Product: Oral
Format: 
Submit: See study schedule.
The presentation will be 20 minutes for individuals including 15 minute presentation and 5 minutes of
questions. 25 minutes for groups including 20 minute presentation and 5 minutes of questions.
a) A brief overview of the program you are placed with, the agency in which it sits, and links to community;
b) Legislation underpinning the agency and their theoretical frameworks;
c) Your role in the agency;
d) An ethical dilemma you have experienced, your responses and learnings about yourself and the agency
applying an ethical decision-making model to support your decision making;
e) Your development as a counsellor and how you have grown so far personally and professionally as a result of your placement.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Develop critical self-reflection within workshops, supported by evidence;
 1 2 3
2 
Develop clarity of the relationship of ethics and theories to a practice setting;
 3
3 
Demonstrate graduate level oral presentation skills, emphasising the graduates developing critical reflective practice.
 1 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration
All - Assessment Task 2:Online Discussion Participation
Goal: 
Weekly critically reflective contributions to online discussion topics informed from supervision workshop content.
Product: Journal
Format: 
After each on campus tutorial, the course coordinator will include a related question in the online space, inviting the student to reflect on their response, informed from both their experience and the literature.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Develop critical self-reflection within workshops, supported by evidence
 1
2 
Develop relationships with others in a professional manner, and that comply with ACA and PACFA values.
 2 4
3 
Extend professional academic writing skills to the online discussion board format, including acceptable grammar, punctuation, spelling, and sentence structure
 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 3:Reflective Journal Essay
Goal: 
To critically reflect on your professional
and ethical counselling practice.
Product: Essay
Format: 
During the duration of your placement, you are required to keep a reflective journal, in which you record and reflect on your experiences in the field. Your reflections may be of knowledge, skills, their application to practice, and/or your personal journey on becoming the person who is also a counsellor. These reflections will be capturing your emerging counselling professional identity during the placement experience. 

Example topics of reflection that you MAY consider including are: 

Yourself as ‘student practitioner’ within the agency, providing a discussion on how your theoretical frameworks inform your practice framework.

Critical reflection on your significant learning experiences in relation to your knowledge, skills, and values.

Examples of professional and legal issues you experienced and congruence with your ethical values, beliefs and behaviour.

Self-care and management of personal and professional stress including stress caused by diversity.

Your experience of peer, agency and clinical supervision.

Your future learning goals.


Your essay MUST include;

An approved reflective model to review either your overall placement experience or a specific event on placement that instigated learning for you on a personal and professional basis.

An ethical decision-making model that will guide you in responding to an identified ethical dilemma faced during placement. Inclusion of discussing your thinking or actions at each stage of the ethical decision-making model to demonstrate competence in its application and to inform future counselling practice.

Making connections between self, academic, and professional experiences to inform growth and development of core counselling skills and competency.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Demonstrate an understanding of the organisational context of practice and the application
 3
2 
Reflection of counselling theory and frameworks within the context of your work in the agency
 1 5
3 
Provide evidence your reflection on your skills and knowledge development throughout your placement
 4
4 
Application of developed academic writing and integrity skills, utilising APA 7th ed. accepted standards.
 6
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Problem solving, Information literacy
All - Assessment Task 4:Placement Portfolio
Goal: 
Undertake 250 verifiable hours of professional practice in a human services agency, including 20 hours of direct client contact, complying with codes of ethics and conduct, and articulate a typical client case using accepted case conceptualisation model (e.g 5Ps) with Clinical Supervisor.

A breach of Code of Conduct will result in a fail grade for this Course.
Product: Artefact - Professional
Format: 
Your 250 hours to be recorded on the Hours Verification Sheet in SONIA and approved by your agency Supervisor.

Your MID semester Learning Agreement (Week 4-6) 

Your FINAL semester Learning Agreement week 12-14). 

Internship Assessment Report (week 12-14). 

Written copy of case conceptualisation presented to Clinical Supervisor.
Criteria:
No. Learning Outcome assessed
1 
Behaviour that is in accordance with the professional associations code of ethics and conduct; UniSC Student code of conduct; and the agency's own code of conduct
 4 5
2 
MID semester learning agreement is signed off by agency supervisor and field education officer
 4 5
3 
END semester learning agreement is signed off by agency supervisor and field education officer
 4 5
4 
Internship Assessment Report completed and indicates competencies and values have been acceptable.
 4 5
5 
Written copy of the case conceptualisation, presented to clinical supervisor, is included.
 1 5
6 
A minimum of 250 hours has been logged in Sonia, and signed off by the agency supervisor
 2
Generic Skills: 
Communication, Collaboration, Applying technologies, Information literacy

Directed study hours

A 12-unit course will have total of 150 learning hours which will include directed study hours (including online if required), self-directed learning and completion of assessable tasks. Student workload is calculated at 12.5 learning hours per one unit.

What resources do I need to undertake this course?

Please note: Course information, including specific information of recommended readings, learning activities, resources, weekly readings, etc. are available on the course Canvas site– Please log in as soon as possible.

Prescribed text(s) or course reader

Please note that you need to have regular access to the resource(s) listed below. Resources may be required or recommended.

Required? Author Year Title Edition Publisher
Required Sweitzer, H.F., & King, M. 2013 The Successful Internship n/a Cengage Learning

Specific requirements

Not applicable

How are risks managed in this course?

Risk assessments have been performed for all field activities and a low level of health and safety risk exists. Some risks concerns may include working in an unknown environment as well as slip and trip hazards. It is your responsibility to review course material, search online, discuss with lecturers and peers and understand the health and safety risks associated with your specific course of study and to familiarise yourself with the University’s general health and safety principles by reviewing the online induction training for students, and following the instructions of the University staff.

What administrative information is relevant to this course?

Assessment: Academic Integrity

Academic integrity is the ethical standard of university participation.  It ensures that students graduate as a result of proving they are competent in their discipline.  This is integral in maintaining the value of academic qualifications. Each industry has expectations and standards of the skills and knowledge within that discipline and these are reflected in assessment.

Academic integrity means that you do not engage in any activity that is considered to be academic fraud; including plagiarism, collusion or outsourcing any part of any assessment item to any other person.  You are expected to be honest and ethical by completing all work yourself and indicating in your work which ideas and information were developed by you and which were taken from others. You cannot provide your assessment work to others. You are also expected to provide evidence of wide and critical reading, usually by using appropriate academic references.

In order to minimise incidents of academic fraud, this course may require that some of its assessment tasks, when submitted to Canvas, are electronically checked through Turnitin.  This software allows for text comparisons to be made between your submitted assessment item and all other work to which Turnitin has access.

Assessment: Additional Requirements

This course will be graded as Pass in a Limited Grade Course (PU) or Fail in a Limited Grade Course (UF) as per clause 5.1.1.3 and 5.1.1.4 of the Grades and Grade Point Average (GPA) - Academic Policy.
In a course eligible to use Limited Grades, all assessment items in that course are marked on a Pass/Fail basis and all assessment tasks are required to be passed for a student to successfully complete the course. Supplementary assessment is not available in courses using Limited Grades.

Assessment: Submission penalties

You must contact your Course Coordinator and provide the required documentation if you require an extension or alternate assessment.
Refer to the Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs – Procedures.

SafeUniSC

UniSC is committed to a culture of respect and providing a safe and supportive environment for all members of our community. For immediate assistance on campus contact SafeUniSC by phone: 07 5430 1168 or using the SafeZone app. For general enquires contact the SafeUniSC team by phone 07 5456 3864 or email safe@usc.edu.au.

The SafeUniSC Specialist Service is a Student Wellbeing service that provides free and confidential support to students who may have experienced or observed behaviour that could cause fear, offence or trauma. To contact the service call 07 5430 1226 or email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au.

Study help

For help with course-specific advice, for example what information to include in your assessment, you should first contact your tutor, then your course coordinator, if needed.

If you require additional assistance, the Learning Advisers are trained professionals who are ready to help you develop a wide range of academic skills. Visit the Learning Advisers web page for more information, or contact Student Central for further assistance: +61 7 5430 2890 or studentcentral@usc.edu.au.

Wellbeing Services

Student Wellbeing provide free and confidential counselling on a wide range of personal, academic, social and psychological matters, to foster positive mental health and wellbeing for your academic success.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email studentwellbeing@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 1226.

AccessAbility Services

Ability Advisers ensure equal access to all aspects of university life. If your studies are affected by a disability, learning disorder mental health issue, injury or illness, or you are a primary carer for someone with a disability or who is considered frail and aged, AccessAbility Services can provide access to appropriate reasonable adjustments and practical advice about the support and facilities available to you throughout the University.

To book a confidential appointment go to Student Hub, email AccessAbility@usc.edu.au or call 07 5430 2890.

Links to relevant University policy and procedures

For more information on Academic Learning & Teaching categories including:

  • Assessment: Courses and Coursework Programs
  • Review of Assessment and Final Grades
  • Supplementary Assessment
  • Central Examinations
  • Deferred Examinations
  • Student Conduct
  • Students with a Disability

For more information, visit https://www.usc.edu.au/explore/policies-and-procedures#academic-learning-and-teaching

Student Charter

UniSC is committed to excellence in teaching, research and engagement in an environment that is inclusive, inspiring, safe and respectful. The Student Charter sets out what students can expect from the University, and what in turn is expected of students, to achieve these outcomes.

General Enquiries

  • In person:
    • UniSC Sunshine Coast - Student Central, Ground Floor, Building C, 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
    • UniSC Moreton Bay - Service Centre, Ground Floor, Foundation Building, Gympie Road, Petrie
    • UniSC SouthBank - Student Central, Building A4 (SW1), 52 Merivale Street, South Brisbane
    • UniSC Gympie - Student Central, 71 Cartwright Road, Gympie
    • UniSC Fraser Coast - Student Central, Student Central, Building A, 161 Old Maryborough Rd, Hervey Bay
    • UniSC Caboolture - Student Central, Level 1 Building J, Cnr Manley and Tallon Street, Caboolture
  • Tel:+61 7 5430 2890
  • Email:studentcentral@usc.edu.au
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