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.
Unit Overview

Qualification

Graduate

Unit Availability

Trimester 1

Study Mode

Online Facilitation

Placement

N/A

Prerequisite

N/A

Corequisite

N/A

Notes

N/A

Schedule
Availability Facilitation Type Time Dates Facilitator
Trimester 1 2025 Online Facilitation 10am – 12pm
(AEDT/AEST)
Wednesday 26 February
Wednesday 12 March
Wednesday 26 March
Wednesday 9 April
Wednesday 23 April
Dr Katherine Hurrell

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.

Student Stories

As a person who is holding down a job, and volunteering at my local church leading in our youth ministry, my studies would not be possible without the flexibility that studying with ACOM provides. Their understanding of my ‘all of life’ and working with me to participate in study in a meaningful way that flexes to my life circumstances has been amazing. I am not sure I could have pursued my studies without it.
Tessa Sedawie – Bachelor of Ministry

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ACOM's flexible delivery has been instrumental in my studies. I have benefited greatly from the ability to read through the coursework in my own time, around my busy schedule. The supportive staff and excellent online resources have also been invaluable.
Natalie Crawford – Master of Theology

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A lot of theology training focuses on helping you know what to do, formation helped me go deeper and learn about who I wanted to become. As someone who learns a lot by doing, the highly practical nature of the ACOM model helped me put theory into practice immediately. The online learning helped me do that in the context I’d grown up in.
Ben Dainton – Graduate Diploma of Arts

Student Stories

My studies at ACOM equipped me to be job-ready by providing the ability to complete my student ministry placement in local churches, allowing me to apply what I was learning directly to real-world situations. The practical elements of the coursework gave me the hands-on experience and confidence needed to step into ministry roles, fully prepared to make a meaningful impact.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

Admittedly, at first I was nervous about the prospect of Spiritual Formation and what might be involved. But after my first Spiritual Formation retreat, Spiritual Formation very quickly became one of my favourite subjects, and created some of my fondest memories throughout my years studying with ACOM. The relationships I built and the journey I went on with my formation companions, has left a profound impact on my faith, the shaping of who I am, how I lead and my continued involvement in ministry today. I couldn’t recommend Spiritual Formation highly enough as a valuable part of your studies.
Lachie Ashworth – Bachelor of Ministry

Student Stories

As a relatively young person in an employed ministry position, I have greatly benefited from my degree of Bachelor of Ministry and have observed my growth through undergoing studies. While studying and working full time in ministry, I have found that each unit, in some way or another, is relevant to my job whether that be learning to preach or growing my Biblical literacy skills. Through working full-time in ministry, I have found that the online content and structures of my studies allows me to be flexible in structuring my learning around my busy ministry schedule. Each week I am able to accommodate my studies to fit my needs based on my schedule demands.
Libby Hall – Bachelor of Ministry

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