Students must:

• Be a Christian
• Domestic students must be 17 years or older

All students will also be required to demonstrate English Proficiency, which is equivalent to an academic IELTS band of 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subset. This can be demonstrated by:

• evidence of the completion of studies undertaken only in the English language;
• evidence of the completion of English studies undertaken at TAFE or an equivalent institution;
• completion of an external assessment of English language, for example an IELTS (Academic Version); and/or
• completion of an onsite English evaluation. Candidates will be required to attend the PBC campus to complete the evaluation.

In addition to demonstrating English Proficiency, students must either:

• be qualified for admission to an Australian University;
• have other acceptable post-secondary qualifications (e.g. PBC Diploma of Ministry with distinction average); or
• qualify for admission as a mature age student.

4 core units

Core Units

Marriage and Family (CO604, CO704)

This unit deals with human sexuality, marriage and family life. Human sexuality, marriage and family sets us apart from the animals. It is exactly in the domain of sexuality and relationships that the dignity of humanity is the most clearly expressed. Our sexuality calls us beyond ourselves to a whole, secure, healthy and intimate relationship with another human being who is ‘other’ than us. Marriage and family issues present an ideal opportunity for us to show how the gospel can affect lives for the good. Our marriages and family relationships can become showcases of the grace of God. It does not mean that we have to present ourselves as 'getting it right' in our marriages and families. But we can meet the world as people who have tasted something very good and thus cannot settle for anything less. The hope that we can offer people in the light of our understanding of God's vision for our marriages and families can transform lives and relationships.

Models for Pastoral Counselling (CO601, CO701)

Pastoral counselling equips us to engage meaningfully with people in the light of the message of the gospel. This unit will present and explore a number of models that are foundational to the understanding and practice of pastoral counselling. They will include psychological, anthropological, theological and counselling theories and models. This will enable students to develop pastoral counselling relationships that are informed, supportive, at times graciously challenging and always hopeful.

Pastoral Counselling as Community Care (CO603, CO703)

Pastoral counselling does not occur in a vacuum. It occurs in a particular context – a church, a school, a para-church organization or in more specialized agencies. It also exists within particular community and cultural contexts. People’s challenges and struggles also occur within particular contexts. This unit will help the student to develop the understanding and skills needed for pastoral counselling and care in their particular community, cultural and practical ministry contexts.

Pastoral Counselling in a Christian Context (CO602, CO702, PA604, PA704)

In this unit students will be embarking on the development and practice of pastoral counselling models shaped by theological thinking, the social sciences and ministry contexts. Through practicum and role-play students will be taught to work through a number of counselling models. After developing the skills to move through the models step by step they will then be encouraged to use the models more flexibly and contextualise the models to specific case studies. The Christian context being referred to is in the first instance developing and practicing counselling models that are informed by a Christian perspective and worldviews and secondly refers to the vocational contexts a pastoral counsellor may be working in.

Upon completion of all 4 core units, students will be awarded the Undergraduate Certificate in Pastoral Counselling.

This course is not available for overseas students.

Perth Bible College will assess Recognition of Prior Learning on a case-by-case basis. If you would like to apply for RPL, please inform the College at the time of applying.

For more information on this, please see PBC’s Credit and Recognition of Prior Learning Policy.