The aim of the Bachelor of Applied Counselling is to produce graduates who can work effectively as a beginning practioner in an area of specialist practice, for example with Maori, Pacific Islanders, or other ethnicities in their region, or in development, or social services whilst also developing skills and knowledge to work collaboratively across these fields. Graduates will be prepared for career opportunities and practice in a range of social and community services. The degree will also assist graduates to develop transferable skills essential for successful participation and leadership roles in the workplace.

Graduates will be prepared for counselling practice in a range of social and community services and will be able to: * Apply an integrated practice model underpinned by the NZ Association of Counsellors' Code of Ethics drawing on a well-grounded understanding of counselling theories * Integrate Counselling theories and Te Tiriti O Waitangi into practice * Actively reflect on own counselling practice to address and manage personal issues that impact on or arise from practice. * Actively engage in Supervision and understand the importance of this for safe practice. * Practice their counselling in a client-centered way using qualities of empathy, genuineness and respect, in line with the ethical principles and professional guidelines of NZAC. * Demonstrate evidence based counselling practice * Implement contextualised knowledge of the social, political and cultural aspects of counselling to be culturally competent and an agent of social change. * Practice counselling relationships through the intentional and appropriate use of self

Graduates of the Bachelor of Applied Counselling will be positioned to pathway into postgraduate programmes such as Graduate Diplomas and Certificates in both Counselling and Arts Therapy. Alternatively they could train as Guidance Counsellors by doing Post Graduate Diploma in Education. Graduates will also be eligible to apply for entry into Masters programmes in NZ Universities and in Whare Wānanga in Counselling and Indigenous Study.

This section states the minimum regulations for the programme. Additional regulations which exceed those below may be incorporated by an accredited organisation.
9.1 Admission
9.1.1 General
All Applicants must provide two character references attesting the candidate's suitability for working as a counsellor.
AND
All applicants are required to declare whether they have been convicted of, or are being prosecuted for, a criminal offence. The Police Vetting Process will reveal all criminal convictions. Students will be advised of the following:
Please be aware that if you are going to be working with children, in certain circumstances some specified offences are not permitted, pursuant to the Children's Act 2014. We recommend that you fully disclose all convictions to MIT prior to enrolment, so that we can discuss the potential implications on your eligibility to participate fully in your course of studies, including the practicum and your likely eligibility/suitability for employment once you graduate.
AND
Applicants may be required to provide a health declaration that they are emotionally, mentally and physically capable of undertaking the demands of the counselling programme as required in the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) Code of Ethics (revised 2016) (see here). Further reports may be requested with the consent of the Applicant.Further reports may be requested with the consent of the Applicant.
9.1.2 Academic

Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the programme:

NCEA Level 3 NCEA University Entrance or equivalent
Three subjects - at Level 3, made up of:
14 credits each, from the three approved subjects
Literacy - 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
5 credits in reading
5 credits in writing
Numeracy - 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of:
achievement standards - specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or
unit standards - package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627- all three required).

OR

Successfully completed a minimum of 60 credits at level 4 in the area of Social Science, Health Sciences or Education e.g. New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing (Social and Community Services) (Level 4) (120 credits).
Applicants 20 years of age and over ideally will meet the minimum entry requirements.
Applicants will be required to attend an interview to determine their suitability for a counselling role.
Applicants 20 years of age and over ideally will meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirements but feel that they have the skills or experience to be successful in this programme.

English Language entry requirements
Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English.
Any Applicant whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of their English language competency as follows:
Have English language competence to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. Any applicant whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an-overall lELTS (Academic) band score of 6.5 (with no score below 6.5) or equivalent achieved within the preceding 2 years.
This will be demonstrated by meeting the current NZQA requirements. For the minimum English language requirements refer to the following website here and here