Specialist Diploma in Workplace & Career Counselling Course - ACC
Specialist Diploma in Workplace Counselling
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Specialist Diploma in Workplace Counselling

The Specialist Diploma in Workplace Counselling aims to equip working professionals with a better understanding on how to manage workplace relationships effectively. On top of equipping participants with a foundation in counselling knowledge and skills, participants will learn how to facilitate better communication in the workplace, manage workplace conflicts and more.

Accredited by:

Programme Overview

  • Participants who have no experience in counselling but are willing to gain a basic entry qualification to professional counselling
  • Professionals who wish to develop workplace counselling skills and knowledge for application in their work areas such as in health, social services, education, customer service, human resource and supervisory work settings
  • Professionals who wish to counsel people in need in the corporate setting
  • A professional basic entry qualification to counselling children & youth.
  • Opportunities for personal growth
  • Acquisition of crucial interpersonal skills and related knowledge.
  • Provide a basic level of knowledge about major approaches to counselling and psychotherapy
  • Provide training in basic counselling skills and practice
  • Introduce the ethical and professional issues faced by counsellors in human service industries
  • Introduce a basic level of knowledge and skills in working with different client groups and specific client issues
  • Prepare participants to face issues and employ methods specifically for the workplace setting.
  • Integrate the 3 areas salient to counsellor training programmes:
    • Personal growth
    • Theoretical and research-based knowledge in counselling psychology
    • Skills in workplace counselling
  • Students are taught a range of counselling skills that can be applied across work settings and client groups
  • Focus on developing counsellor awareness including:
    • How the student’s interpersonal style affects the counselling process
    • Students will be taught to reflect and learn from their training experiences

Programme Structure

The programme will be delivered through lectures, group discussions, practical demonstrations, video presentations, practical and experiential exercises, case studies, and role-plays. Students will be assessed through written assignments, projects, oral presentations, and videotaped counselling project/examination.

The lecturer-student ratio is set at 1:25 to ensure optimum teaching, learning and sharing between the lecturer and students.

There are a total of 4 modules with assignments. Each module consists of 12 sessions.
Number of Modules: 4 modules, each with assignments
Contact Hours: 144 hours
Total Duration: 6 months

Each classroom session is 3 hours, held twice to thrice a week.

  • Ms Goh Chiou Yun, Carol
  • Mr Tan Choon Hooi, Klein
  • Ms Karen Sciberras
  • Mdm Tan Lay Geok

Click here to view the lecturers’ profile

Student must achieve at least 75% attendance for all modules and a minimum passing mark of 50 for all assignments to be awarded the Specialist Diploma in Workplace Counselling.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for admission to the course, applicants must fulfil the following conditions:

  • Diploma holders in any field
  • Be at least 18 years of age
  • Mature applicants not meeting the admission requirements are invited to apply as the program recognises relevant life experiences that students bring with them
  • Application will be considered on a case-by-case basis; in some circumstances, interview might be needed
  • Introduction to Counselling
  • Counsellor Awareness
  • Counselling Skills
  • Counselling Process and Model
  • Cognitive Interventions
  • The Therapeutic Alliance

Module Description: This unit provides an introduction and basic training in the nature and processes of counselling. Counselling skills including the microskills on which counselling activity is based such as listening, asking questions, reflecting, and clarifying, will be introduced. Students will be taught how to initiate counselling interactions, develop a counselling relationship and conduct a counselling session. The unit will also introduce the focus on counsellor awareness including students developing a basic awareness of how their own interpersonal styles, beliefs and internal processes affect the counselling process.

Total Number of Hours: 36 hours

Assessment Method: 2 assignments

Watch our module summary video 

  • Major theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Theory-based Intervention Techniques/Styles
  • Human Lifespan Development
  • Counselling Specific Client Groups
  • Multicultural Issues in Counselling
  • Ethical and Professional Issues in Counselling

Module Description: This unit will introduce major theoretical approaches to counselling and psychotherapy. It will provide theory-based practical intervention techniques that can be incorporated in the counselling process. This unit will focus on theoretical knowledge and issues related to human lifespan development and working with different client groups such as children, adolescents and the elderly. It will also introduce students to issues related to working with clients from different cultures. Relevant professional and ethical issues and their implications for everyday practice of counselling will also be covered in this module.

Total Number of Hours: 36 hours

Assessment Method: 3 assignments

Watch our module summary video 

  • Stress
  • Anxiety
  • Depression
  • Grief and Loss
  • Self-esteem Issues
  • Addiction Issues
  • Relationship Issues
  • Trauma

Module Description: This unit introduces common problem areas that clients may present in counselling. Topics covered are stress, anxiety, depression, grief and loss, self-esteem issues, addiction issues, relationship issues and trauma. These specific client issues will be incorporated within the overall counselling model and process. Professional and ethical issues in counselling will be further addressed in this unit especially in relation to the specific client issues.

Total Number of Hours: 36 hours

Assessment Method: 3 assignments

Watch module summary video 

  • Cooperative Communication
  • Speaking and Listening Skills
  • Development of Communication Process
  • Cultural and Individual Differences
  • Culture Appropriate Communication
  • Overcoming Barriers to Communication
  • Following and Delegating
  • Supervise Tasks
  • Supporting Effective Operation
  • Conflicts in the Workplace
  • Problem Solving Techniques
  • Negotiation
  • Building and Maintaining External Relationships

Fees and Charges

Fees are payable to: ACC Institute of Human Services Pte. Ltd. 

Without Bursary and Funding

Course Fee$5,880.00*
Registration Fee$60.00
Module 1 Textbook$57.00
Total Before GST$5,997.00
Total after GST$6,536.73

With Bursary and Funding 

Course Fee*$5,880.00
Shepherd Bursary Award^-$8,00.00
Registration Fee$60.00
Module 1 Textbook$57.00
Total Before GST$5,197.00
Total after GST$5,664.73

*Textbooks not included.
^Subject to approval of the Shepherd Bursary Award Application
#Depends on how much Skillsfuture Credits the individual has and wishes to use to offset the course fees

We do not accept Cash over the counter. You may however do a bank transfer or bank deposit and forward the proof of your deposit to us at courses @acc.edu.sg. Please call us at 6339 5411 for the bank details.

Payment Option 1:
Lump sum payment by Cheque, Nets or Credit Card.

Payment Option 2:
0% interest free installment plan with selected merchant banks

Payment Option 3:
In-house installment plan where there is a $50 administrative fee for each installment payment after the initial payment. The installment plan only applies to the course fees.

For example, if you plan to opt for 3 installment payments for this with the bursary, the installment plan would be:

First Payment (Before Course Start Date)Course Fee ($1693.33) + Registration Fee ($60.00) + Module 1 Textbook Fee ($57.00)$1,810.33
Second Payment (2 Months after Course Start Date)Course Fee ($1693.33) + Installment Admin Fee ($50.00)$1,743.33
Last Payment (4 Months after Course Start Date)Course Fee ($1693.33) + Installment Admin Fee ($50.00)$1,743.33
Total Before GST$5,296.99
Total after GST$5,720.75

Request for eBrochure and View Upcoming Preview Dates

Keen to find out more? Please provide us with your name, email and contact number. We will email you the module details and enrolment form. You can also view our free upcoming preview/information sessions where you will be able to find out more about our courses.

Thank you and we wish you good success!

Fully Available via Online Learning

Course Overview

Study Mode: Part-time only
Duration: 6 months
Modules: 4 modules, each with 12 lessons

Student Testimonials

“When the mind is happy, more learning takes place. Thank you for being an interactive lecturer.”

“The rooms are conducive for learning. The lighting, furnitures and AC were commendable. The attitude and welcoming smiles of the student team is very much appreciated.”

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