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Graduate Diploma in Counselling

At a glance

  • Credential: graduate diploma
  • Credits: 18
  • Next start: see program details

Earning a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from Athabasca University equips you with essential skills in counselling psychology, offering a flexible pathway to advance your career or seamlessly transition into our Master of Counselling program.

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About Graduate Diploma in Counselling

The Graduate Diploma in Counselling at Athabasca University is an 18-credit online program that provides a solid foundation in counselling psychology, theory, and practice. Designed for those who may not meet the GPA requirements for a Master's in Counselling or for those who aren't looking to complete a full master's degree, this program offers a valuable pathway to ladder into the Master of Counselling program after completing 5 courses. The program has a single annual intake, with an application deadline of Feb. 1 and courses starting in Sept.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements include an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade point average (GPA), a minimum number of credits in psychology or educational psychology, and experience in the field of counselling (preferred).

See full Graduate Diploma in Counselling admission requirements

Program details

Overview

The Graduate Diploma in Counselling focuses on the fundamentals of counselling psychology, theory, and practice.

Why take the Graduate Diploma in Counselling?

If you don't meet the admission requirements for AU's Master of Counselling, you will be considered to ladder your credits into the Master of Counselling program after you complete 5 courses in the Graduate Diploma in Counselling.

Application deadlines and start dates

Application deadline Start date
Feb. 1 Sept.

Routes and options

Ladder to a master's degree

Learners normally progress through the diploma program at a fixed pace. The time commitment will depend on whether you desire to ladder into the Master of Counselling program or exit the graduate diploma program with the diploma (Terminal Diploma program). Unless you inform the program office that you intend to exit the Graduate Diploma in Counselling program with the diploma, you will automatically be considered for laddering into the Master of Counselling program (minimum GPA of 3.0 in completed courses required). You will be informed of your admission to the Master of Counselling program after you have completed your 6th course.

Please email our program for more information on laddering to a master's degree.

Learn more about the Graduate Diploma in Counselling

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 1.5 years of full-time study. You can take up to 3 years to complete all requirements.

Resources and links

Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.


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