ACOM / Study / Units / C8101C Human Development and Counselling

C8101C Human Development and Counselling

This unit will introduce students to the foundations of human development theory and its implications for helping professions.
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Unit Overview

Qualification

Graduate

Unit Availability

Trimester 1 2026

Study Mode

Online Facilitation

Placement

N/A

Tuition

Graduate Counselling Fee

Prerequisite

N/A

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

Available to counselling students only

Schedule
Availability Facilitation Type Time Dates Facilitator
Trimester 1 2026 Online Facilitation
(Required)		 10am – 12pm
(AEDT/AEST)		 Wednesday 18 February
Wednesday 25 February
Wednesday 4 March
Wednesday 11 March
Wednesday 25 March
Wednesday 1 April
Wednesday 8 April
Wednesday 15 April
Wednesday 22 April
Wednesday 29 April		 Dr Katherine Hurrell &
Louise Brayshaw

Unit Details

This unit will introduce students to the foundations of human development theory and its implications for helping professions.

At the end of this unit students will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate an understanding of developmental theories and how physical, emotional, cognitive and sociocultural dynamics influence developmental processes.
  2. Critically evaluate theory and research relevant to human development and popular notions of human nature.
  3. Analyse and discuss core developmental concepts, theories and processes to general helping contexts.
  4. Draw insights from developmental theories and processes in particular helping contexts, such as mental health, conflict and spiritual issues.
  5. Apply theory and research to contemporary problems and real world situations and needs.

The unit explores human development theories and research using various models and considering physical, emotional, cognitive, sociocultural and spiritual development. The unit explores how learning and behaviour is explained by development and how the study of human development is interdisciplinary and dynamic in its application to a variety of contemporary problems and real world situations. Students learn how to apply this knowledge to themselves and to the role of a helper.

  1. Contextual Report (20%)
    Word Limit: 1200
    Due: Week 5
  2. Human Development Essay (40%)
    Word Limit: 2400
    Due: Week 8
  3. Reflection Paper (40%)
    Word Limit: 2400
    Due: Week 12
  • Hoffnung, M., Hoffnung, J., Seifert, K., Hine, A., Pause, C., Ward, L., Signal, T., Swabey, K., Yates, K., & Burton Smith, R. (2023). Lifespan development (5th Australasian edition). Wiley.
  • Capuzzi, D., & Stauffer, M. D. (Eds.). (2016). Human growth and development across the lifespan: Applications for counselors. John Wiley & Sons.

Unit Details

Key Dates

Student Stories

I’ve loved my ACOM journey! Every unit has brought practical skills and theoretical knowledge I use every day with my counselling clients and beyond. I’ve grown as a person, and my confidence in academic learning has been supported by highly skilled lecturers in their field. The online learning platform has enabled me to work and balance family life and other commitments. Integrating spirituality and faith throughout every unit has been so refreshing and lovely!
Alison Bury – Bachelor of Counselling

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