16. Rehabilitation Counselling

No first year intake from 2007

Please note: The combined degrees of Bachelor of Health Sciences/Master of Rehabilitation Counselling replace the previous Bachelor of Health Science (Rehabilitation Counselling) course. See Chapter 28 for more information about the combined degree.

Course outline

The course outlines for the Bachelor of Health Science (Rehabilitation Counselling) pass and honours are presented in Tables 16.1 and 16.1.1. Unit descriptions and a list of faculty electives are found in Chapter 19.

Table 16.1: Bachelor of Health Science (Rehabilitation Counselling) Pass

Table 16.1.1: Bachelor of Health Science (Rehabilitation Counselling) Honours

Electives for Bachelor of Health Science (Rehabilitation Counselling)

Field experience and professional practice

Field experience is an essential component in the overall process of developing professional competence and identity as a rehabilitation counsellor. It not only provides students with an opportunity to apply, integrate, reinforce and assess theoretical learning, but also allows them to appreciate the way in which rehabilitation counsellors and other allied professionals contribute to the effectiveness of the rehabilitation process.

Field placements are provided in a wide variety of rehabilitation and related health, welfare, vocational and independent living services in both the public and private sectors.

The objectives of field experience are that the students be provided with opportunities to:

• develop competence and professional identity as rehabilitation counsellors
• integrate theory taught at the University with practice learnt in the field. Field experience provides the context where all segments of the coursework merge and gain meaning
• develop an understanding of the values and principles of rehabilitation counselling practice as applied in different fields/levels of rehabilitation service provision
• develop knowledge and skills in various rehabilitation counselling methods and related activities under the guidance, supervision and support of experienced practitioners in the service delivery environment
• develop confidence, independence and autonomy as practitioners.

These objectives are fulfilled by placement blocks of supervised field practice complemented by agency visits, and where possible supported by seminars and tutorials. It is essential that at least one placement be supervised by a practising/qualified rehabilitation counsellor in a vocational setting.

All students are required to complete 1000 hours of supervised field practice over the four year program in the professional practice units. This includes block field placements to be undertaken during the inter-semester breaks in Years 2 and 3, and during Semester 2 in Year 4.

Fieldwork placements will normally occur during the working hours of professional rehabilitation counsellors – generally 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday. If these times are unsuitable for a student, it is the responsibility of the student to find an alternative placement agency and to have the agency and the terms of the placement endorsed by the Rehabilitation Counselling professional practice coordinators.

Field placements are arranged by the coordinators of professional practice who are responsible for the overall coordination, monitoring and supervision of the field practice program. As far as practicable, the student’s areas of interest and career goals are given consideration in the planning of their field placements.

Field placement dates

Year 4

A 10 week (350 hours) block placement during Semester 2. Students are required to attend University in the weeks prior to placement and complete appropriate assignments while on placement. This placement aims to integrate all subjects studied into practical experience and students are expected to work independently with supervision from placement advisers and the University supervisor.