Program Overview
Athabasca University’s online University Certificate in Counselling Women (UC-CW) is specifically designed for those who work directly with women in crisis intervention. The program applies feminist theory to the practice of counselling women in these settings.
In this program you will learn to
- identify client needs
- refer clients appropriately
- critically analyze social and counselling issues from a feminist perspective
- understand the shifting social, political, economic and cultural contexts in which counselling takes place
You will also develop your awareness of the cultural and social bases of human prejudice and discrimination, including
- sexism
- racism
- ethnocentrism
- ageism
- classism
This program explores feminist insights and alternatives that foster tolerance for diversity of human experience and ways of life.
Why take the University Certificate in Counselling Women?
The UC-CW enhances counselling and problem-solving skills for both professionals and volunteers:
- crisis workers
- social workers
- family life educators
- adult educators
- nurses
- teachers
- vocational counsellors
Completion times
Finish this program in as little as 1 year of full-time study, or work at your own pace and take as long as you need. There is no time limit for completion.
Admission Requirements
There are no formal admission requirements for this program. All you need is to be 16 or older. You can enrol anytime and start right away, regardless of your previous education.
How to Apply
You can apply to AU online, anytime. Once you’ve completed the online application form and paid the one-time general application fee (and transfer credit evaluation fee, if applicable), you’re officially an AU student and can start registering in courses.
Make sure we get your transcripts if you want us to consider your previous post-secondary education for transfer credit.
Transfer and Advanced Credit
If you have previous post-secondary education or significant life and work experience that relates to this program, you may be eligible for transfer credit or Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition (PLAR). This could mean fewer courses to get your AU certificate.
If you transfer credit, you must complete a minimum of 6 credits at AU.
Program Requirements
To complete the program you will need to fulfil all the requirements of the certificate.
Our program plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program, and how to plan the order you’ll take them in. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.
Tuition and fees
Once you have paid the initial application fee, tuition is pay-as-you-go for each course registration. Course fees vary depending on your location and other factors.
You can estimate your total program cost by multiplying the cost of a 3-credit course by the number of courses you need to take for the program. Remember that tuition costs may increase each year.
Program Learning Outcomes
Knowledge Outcomes
As a result of completing this program, students should be able to
- demonstrate a broad understanding of the diversity of women’s experience.
- become familiar with feminist theory, especially as it relates to counselling women.
- demonstrate knowledge of research methods and ability to conduct research and interpret research results.
- become familiar with feminist counselling strategies and practice.
- critically compare traditional approaches with alternative approaches to counselling women.
- demonstrate knowledge and practice of legal and ethical issues relevant to counselling practice.
- demonstrate knowledge and practice of advocacy from a feminist perspective.
- critically analyze social and counselling issues from a feminist perspective.
Skills Outcomes
As a result of completing this program, students should be able to
- demonstrate an awareness and understanding of social and counselling issues relating to women counselling women.
- demonstrate an awareness and understanding of the shifting social, political, economic, and cultural context in which counselling takes place.
- demonstrate an understanding of their own life experiences and how that knowledge can be applied to their work with women.
- demonstrate an ability to verbally and non-verbally demonstrate genuine concern for others.
- demonstrate effective crisis-intervention skills.
- demonstrate skills to empower themselves as well as their clients.
- demonstrate skills to identify client needs and client-referral skills.
Value Outcomes
As a result of completing this program, students should be able to
- demonstrate a fundamental awareness of the cultural and social bases of human prejudice and discrimination (e.g., sexism, racism, ethnocentrism, ageism, classism) and of feminist insights and alternatives that foster tolerance for diversity of human experience and ways of life.
- gain an ability to foster a community of individuals who will be able to provide counselling for women from a feminist perspective.
Possible Career Options
The University Certificate in Counselling Women (UCCW) prepares students for careers in a wide range of fields, including, for example, teaching, social work, women’s crisis centres, criminal justice, health care, law, policing, journalism, counselling, human resources, union officer, international aid officer, and policy analysis.
The UCCW enhances counselling and problem-solving skills for both professionals and volunteers who are currently employed as crisis workers, social workers, family life educators, adult educators, nurses, teachers and vocational counsellors.