If you become a counsellor you help people deal with their feelings, better understand themselves, make decisions and create change in their lives. 

The Counselling major prepares you to work with a diverse client base as a counsellor.

You become familiar with the history and theory of counselling, and the relational counselling model. 

AUT's counselling degree includes 200 hours of counselling practice, bicultural learning, marae visits and knowledge of Te Tiriti o Waitangi issues. 

It's suitable for adult students who have appropriate life experience like a personal development course (eg Youthline), personal experience of counselling, volunteer work, peer support work, or other relevant work or experience.

AUT counselling graduates are eligible to apply for provisional membership of New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) to begin practicing as a counsellor.

Workplace experience

As part of this major you complete a minimum of 200 hours of counselling practice and 20 hours of supervision, along with 10 hours of cultural supervision as required by the New Zealand Association of Counsellors. 

Please note that there will be an additional cost for this supervision.

• Certified copy of your birth certificate or passport
• Certified copy of marriage certificate (If required)
• Official academic transcripts
• English Language Proficiency (If Available)
• CV/Work experience (If required)
• A copy of the document(s) in the original language/and official English translation

1_ All applicants need to meet AUT’s minimum entry requirements qualification equivalent to New Zealand year 13 or University Entrance.

High school qualifications from different countries:

India: 

• 12 years of schooling with an overall average of 75% in four academic subjects, including a min 60% in English from the All-India Senior Certificate (AISSC).
• All other Higher Secondary State Board Examinations require an overall average of 80% in four academic subjects with a min 65% in English.

China:

• Senior High School graduation plus one year of successful study at bachelor's level; or
• Senior High School graduation plus completion of a two-year diploma, with good grades, at a recognized university.
• A Tier 1 score in the National University Entrance Examination (Gaokao) at a recognized institution

2_ Applicants Must be capable of meeting Health Practitioners Competence Assurance Act (HPCA Act) and Children’s Act 2014 requirements, including police clearance. Interview may be required.

Foundation programmes

If you don’t have the academic qualifications needed for direct entry into an AUT programme, you can enroll in a foundation programme.

If you successfully complete the foundation programme and get the required grades, you are guaranteed entry into an appropriate AUT programme.