WSQ Advanced Certificate in Social Services

Learning Outcomes

The learning outcomes of the Advanced Certificate in Social Services are carefully designed to match the WSQ Level 3 competencies. This ensures that learners acquire the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the counselling profession. During the program, participants progress from acquiring basic skills in Para-Counselling to developing advanced abilities in Cultural Competency, Assessment, Reflexive Practice, Technology in Counselling, and Research Methods. The program integrates the Knowledge (K) and Ability (A) components, which are based on the Technical Skills and Competencies (TSC) and Critical Core Skills (CCS) frameworks. This ensures that the curriculum is comprehensive and aligned with industry requirements. Upon completion of the course, learners will have acquired an elevated level of proficiency in the application of counselling techniques across a wide range of diverse and ever-changing situations. They will be able to adapt to cultural and technological advancements, conduct comprehensive assessments, and engage in reflective practice to foster their professional development. By integrating these competencies, learners are ensured to be thoroughly equipped to perform efficiently in diverse work settings, while simultaneously making valuable contributions to the progress of the counselling field through evidence-based practice and ethical decision-making.

Participants will learn the following Learning Units:

• Counselling Theories, Techniques and Skills Application
• Client Confidentiality and Informed Consent Procedures
• Cultural Diversity and Professional Practice in Counselling
• Diversity and Inclusion Practices
• Diversity Issues and Policies
• Counselling Assessment Methods, Tools, Modalities, and Evidence Interpretation
• Intake Procedures, Socioemotional Objectives, and Ethical Counselling Practices
• Client Assessment, Adaptation, and Rapport-Building Strategies
• Critical Examination and Reflexive Practice Methods in Counselling
• Professional Development Requirements and Opportunities
• Virtual Counselling Technologies and Ethics
• Protocols, Communication, and Crisis Management in Virtual Counselling
• Ethical Guidelines and Issues in Research
• Research Literature and Analysis Techniques
• Research Designs, Questions, and Analytical Methods
• Sample Size Determination and Participant Profiling
• Intellectual Property, Copyrights, and Patents Regulations

Academic Level:

• Bachelor’s degree, employed in a role that is providing counselling or case management service to the client.
• Minimum of 2 years of providing support to clients – be it through but not limited to casework or counselling services.
• Must be able to use a laptop and familiar with Microsoft Office

Minimum Age:

•  23

Language Proficiency:

• English Language

Please refer to the fee payment structure table for the course fees.

Course Structure

• 152 training hours over 6 months
• 9.25 assessment hours
• Total 161.25 hours
• Frequency: Once a week
• Part-Time

The course comprises of 6 learning units, with 1 unit of assessment after each learning unit’s lectures.

Teaching and Learning Strategies

We are planning for the lectures of July 2026 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.

Requirements for Completion

Methods of Assessment

Oral Questioning, Role Play, Written Assessment- Short Answer Question, Written Assessment (power-point) with Oral Presentation.

Requirements for Completion

Trainees should:

1. .Attain attendance of at least 80% of total course hours (161.25 hours).
2. Obtain a “competent” grade for 6 unit assessments.

Trainees will be awarded ‘WSQ Advanced Certificate in Social Services’ Statement of Attainment (SOA) by SWDA upon fulfilling the Requirements for Completion

How to Apply

Please submit the Training Application Form when the applications are open.

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

Frequently Asked Questions