About the Counselling Therapist Program
All theory courses will be delivered online, allowing you to study from the comfort of your home. Clinical skills practice courses are delivered face-to-face at our Surrey campus three times during the program, and each course is one week in length (3 weeks total face-to-face).
Students will be required to attend in-person classes for hands-on training during the first three terms of the program:
- Term 1: 5 days on campus
- Term 2: 5 days on campus
- Term 3: 5 days on campus
There is a practicum one day a week throughout terms 3 and 4 of the program. Students will complete 100 direct client hours supported by 20 hours of clinical supervision. Student interns will start their practicum internally at the Stenberg Wellness Centre where they meet with clients virtually. Students will have a Clinical Supervisor with additional support from the Practice Education Team throughout their learning journey.
Our Counselling Therapist program is built on a foundation of reflective, and ethical practice. You will develop an understanding of the biological, psychological, and social underpinnings of everyday human problems and mental health issues, as well as frameworks to change them. Under the guidance of expert counsellor instructors and practicum supervisors, you will apply and deepen your learning throughout the program with in-class role plays and weekly integrated practicum hours with real clients.
Admission Requirements
- Grade 12 graduation or Mature Student Status (19 years of age or older)
- Grade 12-level English course or higher, or one of the following:
- Acceptable score in one of the approved LPR tests as noted above.
- Accuplacer: Reading 240, Writing 240 and WritePlacer 4
- CLBPT: No component less than 7
- English challenge exam (minimum 70%)
- Successful completion of a short–written essay (minimum 70%)
- Successful completion of the online Computer Skills Entrance Test (minimum 70%)
- Completion of Stenberg College informational interview as part of the admissions procedure
- Completion of a Criminal Record Consent Form under the Criminal Record Review Act as part of the admissions procedure
- Acceptable Medical Examination Form completed by a Regulated Medical Professional such as a Physician, Regulated Counselling Therapist*, Psychologist, Psychiatrist or a Nurse Practitioner
* Counsellors with a designation (except for students or candidates) with a regulator, such as ACCT, BCACC, CCPA, CCC, and CPCA
LANGUAGE PROFICIENCY REQUIREMENT
English is the language of instruction at Stenberg College. Therefore, all applicants must demonstrate an adequate level of English proficiency to ensure success in any program and courses by meeting one of the following minimum requirements:
- Evidence of completion of 3 years of full-time Secondary if Grades 8-12, or 2 years of Secondary if Grades 10-12, or 2 years of Post-Secondary education in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages. (Language courses cannot be included in this calculation)
OR
- Submit the results of one of the accepted English language proficiency tests at the score level specific to the program as listed in the admission requirements below.
- IELTS Academic – Overall band score of 6.5 with no component less than 6.0
- Duolingo – Overall score of 115 with no component less than 95
- CELPIP – Overall score of 8 with no component less than 7
- TOEFL – Minimum overall score of 79
- CAEL – Minimum overall score of 60
- Pearson PTE Academic – Minimum overall score of 55
OR
- Mature students that are 19 years of age or older at the start of the program and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who cannot access their educational records or provide sufficient evidence of secondary or post-secondary education as outlined above can:
- complete an English Language Attestation to confirm completion of 3 years of full-time instruction in English in a country where English is one of the principal languages, AND
- complete an Accuplacer Next Generation English Assessment with minimum scores of:
Reading 240, Writing 240 and WritePlacer 4
Evidence may be demonstrated by providing a high school transcript, completion of a provincial Adult Graduation program, permanent student record, GED, or by providing international education credentials confirming medium of instruction in English as recognized through WES, ICES, or IQAS. Alternatively, where 2 years of post-secondary education are being determined based on credits, it is expected that the student has taken studies with a minimum of 18 credits per academic year and/or indicates completion of a minimum of 36 credits in total.
For regulated programs, language proficiency requirements, including permitted tests and scores dictated by the regulatory body, will supersede all else.
*Please note: Counselling Therapist is not a career listed under the British Columbia Professional Regulatory Authorities.
*Please note that this program is not eligible for the post-graduate work permit program.
