GRADUATE DIPLOMA IN COUNSELLING PRACTICE

The course will be funded under the non-preapproved PCG route for VWOs.

CURRENT INTAKE:  1 July 2024 to 26 May 2025
Next Intake: 7 July 2025 to 25 May 2026

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COURSE DETAILS

Introduction

The Graduate Diploma in Counselling Practice course aims to equip social service professionals with the knowledge and skills essential to competent counselling. Its distinctive feature is that more than 50% of course time is devoted to clinical practice under supervision thereby giving social service professionals the opportunity to hone their clinical skills. It also promotes professional development and personal growth of the participants. This course is fully recognised by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) as a course that prepares individuals to be Registered Counsellors in Singapore.

Learning Outcomes

This course enables participants to:
1. Grasp the concepts and theories of counselling.
2. Describe, discriminate and demonstrate core counselling skills.
3. Utilise the Problem-Solving Approach as a practice model.
4. Understand how to work with specific client groups and issues.
5. Enhance competency in counselling practice through live supervision and consultation of their clinical work.

Duration

300 hours (part-time), 11 months.

Structure

Classes are held on Mondays. The course is full day, initially from 9am to 5.30pm for the first 10 weeks, and gradually progressively adjusted such that the classes will be from 10:30am to 8:30pm by the beginning of the second semester. The course comprises of the two main components of theory and supervised clinical practice, covered in the following modules.

 

Course Modules Trainers
1. Counselling Concepts and Theories Andrew Chong, Elysia Tan, Goh Xin Ying, Lim Li Zhen, Tremandy Ng, Terence Tan, Yeow Ming Zhen
2. Working with Specific Client Groups & Issues Andrew Chong, Charlotte Chen, Dr. Ang Xinying, Dr. Chua Wei Bin, Foo Soo Jen, Mohd Fareez, Tony Ong, Tremandy Ng
3. Counselling Skills and Supervised Practice Andrew Chong, Elysia Tan, Goh Xin Ying, Lim Li Zhen, Tremandy Ng

Minimum Class Size: 15

Average Teacher-Student Ratio:  1:6

Teaching and Learning Strategies

We are planning for the lectures of July 2025 intake to be conducted in our premises.

Group supervision will be conducted in small groups in our premises as well. Each group will be assigned with a supervisor for interactive and experiential learning such as group discussions, reflective exercises, audio/video-taped demonstration of clinical work and supervised practice of clinical work.

 

ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

Applicants should:
1. Be at least 23 years old and be proficient in English
2. Possess a degree in Counselling, Psychology or Social Work and/or post graduate diploma in Social Work or Counselling
3. Have acquired at least 2 years working experience involving formal counselling work

REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPLETION

Methods of Assessment

Written assignments, project paper, written examination, clinical viva, clinical supervisor’s assessment.

Assessment Schedule

Written examination is held on the 2nd week of January, which is the 1st day of the 2nd semester

Clinical Viva is held on the 2nd week of May, which is the end of the 2nd semester.
Submission of project paper by the course end date.

Requirements for Completion

Trainees should:
1. Attain attendance of at least 80% of total 300 course hours.
2. Obtain a pass grade (scoring 50% and above) for each of the three components,  namely, the written examination, clinical evaluation and project paper.
3.  Submit 100-hour log of counselling work at agency of practice.
4. Fulfil required number of sessions for individual supervision and personal tape  reviews.
5. Submit all written coursework.

APPLICATION

2025/2026 Intake

 JULY 2025
Date of commencement 7 July 2025
Date of completion 25 May 2026

Documents for Application

Submission of the following supportive documents is required for processing of the application:
1. CV
2.  Educational qualifications and highest English language proficiency (with grades  attained, if applicable)
3. Letter of reference from the home agency/ Employer 
4.  Personal statement – A letter of introduction not exceeding 500 words on your  reasons and/or experiences that have shaped your desire to apply for this course of  study

SHORTLISTED APPLICANTS

  •  Applicants will be notified via email within 7 days from the closing date of application  if they have been shortlisted for an interview.
  • The interview dates will be arranged by the Training Admin, training@counsel.org.sg between 15 April to 15 May 2025. Applicants will be notified via email  within 14 working days after the end of interview period if they are accepted to the  course. 

How to Apply

Please submit the Training Application Form when the applications are open. Please submit the Training Application Form using the following  link:
https://counsel.org.sg/graduate-diploma-in-counselling-practice-gdip/

Kindly contact Training Admin, training@counsel.org.sg for the closing date.

Enquiries

For further information, please submit your enquiries using the Contact Us form. Please remember to mention the name of the course you are enquiring for.

TESTIMONIALS

Graduate Diploma In Counselling Practice (GDIP)

"I appreciate the live supervision sessions because it provides me with feedback and allows me to reflect on my practice. I also appreciate the personal development sessions we have because they allow me to experience what my clients undergo."

GDIP 2017 Trainee
Graduate Diploma In Counselling Practice (GDIP)

"The programme was a good fit for the work that I do and gave understanding on how to apply theories into practice. The Problem-Solving Approach was easy to understand, and the many supervision sessions helped to enhance the learning."

GDIP 2017 Trainee

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