The Graduate Certificate in Loss, Grief and Trauma Counselling is an 18-unit program offered by the College of Education, Psychology and Social Work in internal and external mode. The course is normally completed in one semester full-time, or part time equivalent.
Admission requirements
Applicants must normally hold an approved degree or equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution. However, the Dean (Education) may, under certain circumstances and subject to specific conditions such as work experience, admit others who can show evidence of fitness for candidature.
Course aims
This course aims to:
- increase awareness among helping professionals about the prevalence and nature of loss and trauma experiences of those with whom they work
- advance the knowledge and skills of students from relevant professional backgrounds about practice with those experiencing loss, grief and trauma
- inform students about the connections and differences between loss theory and trauma theory
- review trends in loss and trauma research and knowledge development
- highlight the diversity of loss and trauma experiences associated with various lifespan stages, different cultural perspectives, and specific life events
- introduce students to a range of practice methods and approaches, including arts-based interventions and culturally-sensitive responses
- allow students to pursue areas of study about loss and trauma that are of particular interest to their practice or professional development.
Learning outcomes
At the conclusion of this course students will be able to:
- identify and describe a range of practice models and approaches used in work with persons experiencing loss and/or trauma
- utlilise community resources available to assist with loss and/or trauma issues
- articulate and implement strategies for assisting individuals or groups who have experienced loss and/or trauma
- recognise the connections between the body of knowledge about loss/trauma and relevant issues encountered in the students’ practice environments
- respond in a more culturally-sensitive manner to a range of loss and trauma experiences
- demonstrate how their practice has improved in the areas of loss/trauma knowledge and skills.
Program of study
A student's program of study must be approved by the Program Approver.
To qualify for the Graduate Certificate in Loss, Grief and Trauma Counselling, a student must complete 18 units with a grade of P or NGP or better in each topic, according to the following program of study:
Core - Year 1 topics
13.5 units comprising:
SOAD8008 Bereavement and Loss (4.5 units)
SOAD8009 Interventions in Situations of Trauma (4.5 units)
SOAD8010 Professional Practice Project (loss and grief) (4.5 units)
Option - Year 1 topics
plus 4.5 units selected from:
SOAD8006 Interventions with Children and Young People (4.5 units)
SOAD8012 Loss, Grief and Trauma Counselling - human-animal interactions (4.5 units)
Except with permission of the Dean (Education):
- the program must be completed full-time in one semester or the equivalent part-time
- no topic may be attempted more than twice
- a student may not include a topic which repeats work previously undertaken.
