Bachelor of Counselling and Addiction Practice

Make a difference with a career in counselling and addictions.

Programme outline

Develop skills that are valued in a range of social occupations; including roles as addictions practitioners or counsellors with this three-year applied programme. This programme develops graduates who can practice professionally according to the values and ethics of the Addiction Practitioners’ Association, Aotearoa-New Zealand (DAPAANZ), the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), and the New Zealand Christian Association, (NZCCA).

More detail about this qualification

Teaching and Learning

You are required to attend on-site block courses at the Whitireia (Porirua) campus, as well as complete online learning, which you will need to self manage. This programme uses a blended teaching approach to enable the development of skills and knowledge. These may include active learning, self-directed, tutor directed learning, online learning, tutorials, workplace learning (practicum), simulated workplace learning, self and peer assessment, group work, professional supervision, reflective practice.

Year one

Introduces ākonga to a range of counselling approaches and concepts of mental health, society, social justice, Tiriti o Waitangi, indigenous and various cultural knowledge, theories and models that impact themselves, clients, and the community.

Year two

Enables an ākonga to interpret, integrate and develop a range of professional practice skills, utilising theories, models, assessment, supervision, self-care, ethics, research, and legislative knowledge in a placement setting.

Year three

Consolidates years one and two as well as strengthening theoretical knowledge, counselling, mental health, intervention planning, practice application, reflection, and the integration and application into their last placement. It also serves as the eligible platform to apply for provisional membership/ registration with DAPAANZ, NZAC and the New Zealand Christian Counsellors Association.

Practicum

To gain a Bachelor of Counselling and Addiction Practice degree, students must complete practicum placement experience of 120 hours in year two and 120 hours in year three. One of these placements must be in an addiction setting and the other must be in a general counselling setting.

Year 2 & 3 students must also complete five hours cultural supervision and twelve hours clinical supervision (supervision may incur additional costs of between $50- 120 an hour, payable by the student).