Graduate Diploma in Counselling
Regulations effective Sep. 1, 2024, unless otherwise noted.
The 18-credit Graduate Diploma in Counselling (GDC) program focuses on the fundamentals of counselling psychology, theory, and practice. The diploma is designed for learners who either do not want to complete a full master's degree or do not meet the admissions criteria for the Master of Counselling program and plan to apply to ladder into that program upon completion of the diploma.
To be admitted to the Graduate Diploma in Counselling (GDC) program, applicants must have:
- an undergraduate (baccalaureate) degree, normally 4 years*
- a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 in the last 10 half course equivalents (30 credits)
- a minimum of 3 courses** (9 credits) in psychology or educational psychology, including:
- a course in developmental psychology (3 credits)
- a course in learning psychology (3 credits)
- a course in counselling theories or personality theories (3 credits).
*The undergraduate degree must be conferred prior to the application deadline. Official sealed transcripts including the date of the degree conferral must be received by the program office on or before the application deadline. Canadian degrees must be granted by institutions that are members of Universities Canada or are provincially authorized to grant university degrees. US degrees must be granted by institutions that are regionally accredited.
** These courses must be at the second-year undergraduate level or above (senior-level), and must be completed, with a grade issued on an official transcript, by the application deadline. An official, sealed transcript stating final course grades must also be received by the Faculty of Health Disciplines offices on or before the application deadline.
To calculate your program admission GPA (the GPA AU will use for your entry into the program), please visit this page on the Faculty of Health Disciplines website.
If you are lacking the prerequisite psychology courses, they are available through Athabasca University. These courses are offered in an online learning format. To register in a course, please follow the Athabasca University undergraduate course registration process.
| Prerequisite | Available courses | |
|---|---|---|
| Learning psychology | PSYC 387 - Learning | (3) |
| PSYC 355 - Cognitive Psychology | (3) | |
| Developmental psychology | PSYC 323 - Developmental Psychology | (3) |
| PSYC 381 - Psychology of Adult Development | (3) | |
| PSYC 350 - Adolescent Development | (3) | |
| Counselling theories | PSYC 406 - Introduction to Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy | (3) |
| PSYC 356 - Introduction to Personality Theories and Issues | (3) | |
If you are submitting alternative prerequisite courses from another post-secondary institution, please submit a course outline/syllabus and a website link to the course if available. Courses are not reviewed for equivalency prior to the application deadline. Prerequisites will be evaluated during the admission process.
Preference is given in the admission process to applicants who have a minimum of 1 – 2 years full-time paid or volunteer experience in counselling or a related field.
Successful applicants are required to participate in an online self-study GCAP 500: Student Orientation before the start of the program. Failure to successfully complete the orientation may result in removal from the program.
Applicants without a 4-year degree
Applicants without a 4-year degree will be considered if they have completed a degree equivalent in nature to 3-year academic degree programs at Athabasca University. The degree must consist of a minimum of 90 credits (15 full-course equivalents). In addition, applicants must meet 1 of the following additional criteria:
- A minimum of 18 additional credits (3 full-course equivalents) at the senior undergraduate or graduate level. The average grade point of the additional coursework must be at least 3.0 to apply to the Master of Counselling program or 2.5 to apply to the Graduate Diploma in Counselling. (OR)
- Evidence of at least 3 years of full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience. Applicants must demonstrate that the work experience has been completed within the last 5 years and was in an area related to counselling/human services or equivalent. Applicants must also demonstrate active professional development during that time period in areas related to counselling. Applicants must have an average grade point average (GPA) of 3.3 in psychology and educational psychology courses in their degree program and in any additional program prerequisites if applying to the Master of Counselling (and 2.8 if applying to the Graduate Diploma in Counselling).
Advanced standing
Some learners may have completed work at other post-secondary institutions that is applicable to the GDC program. Only courses taken within the past 6 years from the date of application to the program will be considered for advance credit. Learners may apply for advance credit for up to 6 credits of graduate study from other universities into the GDC program. Learners must demonstrate that previous course work is equivalent to core Master of Counselling courses or appropriate for option or specialization course credit.
Transfer credit
Learners may apply for transfer credit throughout the program for up to 6 credits of graduate study from other universities into the GDC program if courses were not used to fulfill requirements of a completed degree or credential. Transfer credit maximums are inclusive of any advance credit awarded at the time of admission. Only graduate-level courses that were successfully completed with a final grade of B- (70%) or higher will be considered for transfer credit. More information about transfer credit can be found below in the Transfer credit tab.
Non-program students
Individuals who are not enrolled in the GDC program may apply to register in GDC courses on a first-come-first-served basis, space providing. Courses taken as a non-program learner may be directly applied towards the program in accordance with the degree requirements, if and when a learner becomes a program student. However, AU is under no obligation to admit non-program learners into the GDC program. To apply to take a course as a non-program learner, please contact gcapadmin@athabascau.ca.
English language proficiency
There are minimum English language proficiency requirements allowed for admission to a graduate program at Athabasca University. It is the student's responsibility to ensure they meet the minimum requirements.
All applications for admission must be submitted electronically using the online systems described below. Applications will not be accepted by mail or fax. Application fees are not refundable.
Application deadlines
The Faculty of Health Disciplines typically recommends that students start the application process at least 12-16 weeks prior to the application deadline (noted in the chart below). Incomplete applications will not be reviewed. It may take 8-12 weeks after the deadline to receive an admission decision.
| Program | Application deadline | Start date |
|---|---|---|
| Master of Counselling and Graduate Diploma in Counselling | Jan. 15 | September |
| Master of Health Studies and Master of Nursing – Generalist | Nov. 1 | May |
| March 1 | September | |
| July 1 | January | |
| Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner and Post-Masters Certificate in Counselling and Post-Masters Diploma – Nurse Practitioner | Dec. 1 | May |
| April 1 | September | |
| Aug. 1 | January |
These deadlines are final, and no exceptions will be granted. There are no appeals to admissions decisions. Incomplete or late applications are not assessed nor retained for consideration for admission the following year.
Step 1: Apply to be an AU graduate learner
The application process has 2 parts. You must first apply to become a graduate learner at Athabasca University and then apply to your program.
Complete the Graduate Program Application Form through the AU Office of the Registrar online services to receive your student ID number, which is needed to apply for your specific program.
Current/returning students
- Click here and login with your existing AU student ID number. Once logged in, click on "Change of Program".
- Click on the "Graduate Application" and complete the required steps.
- Be sure to select the appropriate graduate program.
New to AU
- Click here, and click on "Apply Now" under the Graduate Application heading in the middle of the screen.
- You will be assigned an AU student ID number, which will be used to access all AU services and resources.
- Be sure to select the appropriate graduate program.
Step 2: Pay the application fee
As part of the AU graduate program application process, pay your non-refundable application fee.
Step 3: Apply to your program
Once you have received your student ID number and paid your fee, log into your myAU account to begin the program application process. You will complete your program application using the Faculty of Health Disciplines' Graduate Student Admission System (GSAS).
In your GSAS application, please select the same program as you did in Step 1.
As part of the application process, you will provide information related to:
- Academic background
- Work and volunteer experience
- Professional development activities
- Rationale for applying to the program and other pertinent information
You can log into your GSAS application and change your information at any time during the application process. However, once you finalize and submit your GSAS application for review, it can no longer be modified. You will be able to track completion of various components of the online application through the GSAS Application Checklist after submission (receipt of reference forms and hardcopy documents). You do not need to wait for your Hardcopy Materials Package to be confirmed as received before submitting your online application for review, however, the Hardcopy Materials Package must be received no later than your chosen application deadline.
To check your application status, return to the GSAS application, not myAU.
Letter of reference
Letters of reference are submitted electronically within the online application process; paper copies will not be accepted. Each applicant is required to provide 3 official letters of reference, including providing the email address of each referee. At least 1 of the letters of reference should come from someone familiar with your academic skills. If an academic reference is not provided, you will be asked to explain within the application why you were unable to meet this requirement.
All referees must be able to provide an objective assessment of your background and capabilities with respect to the prospective graduate program. Letters from friends, family members, clients, colleagues, pastors, or people currently registered in an AU graduate program, or general reference letters (letters that are not written in support of your application to the particular graduate program) are not acceptable. For professional or employment references, please select individuals who are familiar with your work, preferably if they have supervised you in some way.
You must submit current letters of reference with your application, even if you have previously applied to an AU graduate program.
Note: The application system does not allow changes in the References section after the application deadline (e.g., to modify a referee email address, changes a referee, etc.).
- Counselling Programs Reference Assistance, contact: gcapgradapply@athabascau.ca
- Nursing and Health Studies Reference Assistance, contact: cnhsgradapply@athabascau.ca
Step 4: Submit required hardcopy materials
We accept transcripts sent through MyCreds™, Parchment, My eQuals, by mail (in a sealed envelope directly from the institution attended), or email (directly from the institution attended). Please see the instructions below.
If transcripts are sent by mail, they should be assembled in one package and sent to the address below. Please print the Hardcopy Application Material Checklist and include this form with your completed hardcopy application package.
Assemble and then send all required hardcopy information. Photocopies, unsealed/opened transcripts, and transcripts sent as attachments via personal email are considered unofficial and will not be accepted. Send your hardcopy information when you have compiled all the required materials with sufficient time to be received by the Faculty of Health Disciplines and date stamped by the application deadline.
When assembled, send your hardcopy materials to:
Graduate Programs
Faculty of Health Disciplines
Athabasca University
1 University Drive
Athabasca, AB T9S 3A3
Canada
If transcripts are sent by email, they must be received electronically directly from the post-secondary institution to our program office. Please use the following email in your transcript request:
cnhsgradapply@athabascau.ca (Nursing and Health Studies applicants)
gcapgradapply@athabascau.ca (Counselling applicants)
You may also send any additional required documents (e.g., verification of registered nursing (RN) hours and licensure, English language proficiency assessment) by email from the email address you have provided in the program application. Please scan these documents and email them with your full name and student ID number in the email body.
Required hardcopy materials
Official transcripts
Request and submit official transcripts from ALL institutions (including Athabasca University, if applicable) regardless of the number of courses taken or the amount of time spent there. Please note the following:
- To be considered official, transcripts in your package must be:
- mailed directly from the institution, received in envelopes that have been sealed and endorsed by the issuing institution,
- emailed directly from the institution, or
- submitted through MyCreds™, Parchment, My eQuals, or another approved electronic document-sharing platform.
- Athabasca University transcripts shared through MyCreds: please review the information in the MyCreds Sharing Documents webpage, and watch the video ‘How to share a document to a recipient’s email’ prior to requesting transcripts for our programs. Do not share to Organization. The transcripts will be shared to the incorrect administrative unit.
- please request that your transcripts be shared to the program specific email address: cnhsgradapply@athabascau.ca (Nursing and Health Studies applicants) gcapgradapply@athabascau.ca (Counselling applicants)
- Transcripts shared to Athabasca University (Organization) will be delayed. Late transcripts will not be accepted.
- Only send your transcripts one of the ways listed above, not more than one.
- Do not include transcripts from high school.
- Transcripts must state the degree awarded and must be dated within 1 year of the application deadline.
- To prevent loss or delay of transcripts sent by mail, we recommend that applicants utilize mail tracking to ensure that their package arrives on time.
- Official translated transcripts must be submitted for applicants with transcripts issued in a language other than English (Canadian French language post-secondary institutions included).
Additional materials for Internationally-Educated Applicants (all programs)
- Applicants with international credit (completed outside Canada and the US) must request a course-by-course educational assessment from a member of the Alliance of Credential Evaluation Services of Canada (members include: World Education Services ( WES) or International Credential Evaluation Service ( ICES)). The assessment must be dated within 5 years of the application deadline. If your assessment was issued more than 5 years prior to the deadline, it must be reassessed or reissued by the credentialing agency prior to your package submission. We require that the official evaluation/assessment report be mailed to our program office directly from the credentialing agency to the program office. Unsealed evaluations received from applicants will not be accepted.
- Official translated transcripts must be submitted for applicants with transcripts issued in a language other than English (Canadian French language post-secondary institutions included).
- Applicants without Canadian citizenship must provide a photocopy of permanent resident documentation.
- Proof of English language proficiency. See the English language proficiency requirements.
Additional materials for Master of Nursing – Nurse Practitioner and Post-Masters Diploma – Nurse Practitioner ONLY
You must provide the following documents in your Hardcopy Application Package:
- Photocopy of current nursing registration (the registration and licensure must be in the provincial jurisdiction where the student will be completing their NP clinical practicum hours,
- Copy of current Basic Life Support (BLS) Certificate,
- Photocopy of nurse practitioner (NP) license (if applicable), and
- Letter of verification (from employer or provincial regulatory body) confirming 5,000 hours of recent clinical practice as a registered nurse.
Step 5: Track your application status
Track receipt of your hardcopy documents and your application status by logging into your Graduate Student Admission System (GSAS) application.
Nursing/Health Studies applicants
It is your responsibility to ensure that all components of your application package have been received by the Faculty of Health Disciplines (FHD) program office and date-stamped no later than the application deadline.
Allow sufficient time prior to the deadline for the assembled package containing transcripts, etc. to be received by the FHD program office. Begin the application process early—we recommend that you prepare your application package and mail or email it to our program office at least 8 weeks before your chosen deadline. Late documents will not be accepted.
Please ensure that your former institution does not send your transcripts directly to Athabasca University's Office of the Registrar. You must assemble and mail/courier/email the Hardcopy Materials Package directly to the Faculty of Health Disciplines Graduate Program Office (address or emails listed above).
Once your file has been reviewed the status of your application will be updated online. It is your responsibility to continue to check you GSAS application for updated information. Due to the large volume of applications, the FHD administrative staff are unable to provide information on the status of your application by phone or email.
As already stated, application deadlines are final, and no exceptions will be granted. There are no appeals to admission decisions. Incomplete or late application packages will not be assessed nor retained for consideration for admission the following year.
Please read all the application procedures carefully before you begin the application process.
Visiting students and prospective students who have not been admitted to the Master of Counselling (MC), Graduate Diploma in Counselling (GDC), or Post-Master's Certificate in Counselling (PMCC) programs may be permitted to register in up to 2 approved MC courses on a first-come-first-served basis, space permitting. Applications are considered based on credential evaluation from a regulatory or credentialing body that specifies the courses required.
This option is only available to current and post-master's learners who are not currently enrolled in the MC, GDC, or PMCC programs. Eligible applicants may apply to register in MC courses on a first-come-first-served basis, space permitting. Courses taken as a non-program learner may be directly applied toward the program in accordance with the degree requirements if a learner is accepted as a program student. Grades on courses completed as a non-program student will be considered in the admission process. However, the MC program is under no obligation to admit non-program learners into the MC program. To apply to take a course as a non-program learner, please contact gcapadmin@athabascau.ca.
Graduate students:
Please see below to determine the best fit for your situation:
Post-Masters Certificate in Counselling
For students who have completed a master's degree in counselling, applied or educational psychology elsewhere and would like to take 3-4 courses.
Western Dean's Agreement
For students who are attending a psychology-related masters at another Western Canadian university.
Non-program students
For psychology-related master's program graduates who are missing 1‑2 courses for licensure purposes.
Note for undergraduate students: We are not currently offering graduate-level courses to students who do not have a counselling-related master's degree completed or in progress.
Non-program student application deadlines
The following are deadlines to apply as a non-program student:
- May 15 for Fall session courses (September to December)
- Sep. 15 for Winter session courses (January to April)
- Jan. 15 for Spring session courses (May to August)
Late applications are not assessed nor retained for future consideration.
Steps in the application process
New non-program students must contact gcapadmin@athabascau.ca to confirm eligibility prior to submitting a non-program application and submitting the non-refundable fee. Course registration is not possible until our office has completely processed your application.
Once your application has been processed, current non-program students do not have to submit additional non-program applications. You will be able to register in future courses through the online registration system.
Non-program course registration deadlines
The following deadlines are for non-program course registrations:
- June 15 for Fall session courses (September to December)
- Oct. 15 for Winter session courses (January to April)
- Feb. 15 for Spring session courses (May to August)
Register in courses
Course registration is not possible until our office has completely processed your application. Existing non-program students can proceed to registering in courses.
- View course offerings to review the syllabus for your course selection. Note: not all courses are available to non-program learners. Access to courses will depend on availability with priority given to program students.
- Review the applicable fees. Ensure you include the appropriate Course Tuition Fee as well as the Athabasca University Graduate Student Association (AUGSA) Fee.
- For those students taking a course through the Western Dean's Agreement, online registration cannot be completed. Note that the fully completed and approved Western Dean's Authorization Form must be received in the Faculty of Health Disciplines (FHD) program office by the applicable course registration deadline noted above.
- It is the learner's responsibility to register by the course registration deadline and ensure that all prerequisite requirements are fulfilled. If a learner registers in a course for which they are not eligible, the registration may be cancelled and the tuition fee, less the withdrawal processing fee, will be refunded.
- Ensure you are aware of the applicable course withdrawal regulations. Information about course withdrawal is under Course regulations and procedures. Contact the FHD program office at gcapadmin@athabascau.ca at least 1 month before the applicable course registration deadline.
- Funded students will be required to pay out-of-pocket if funding is not received prior to the course registration deadline. You must contact the Student Financial Aid office at Athabasca University, three months prior to your anticipated start date to ensure funding is in place for your start date. For more information, contact AU Student Financial Aid.
- Late registrations will not be accepted.
Only after you've been accepted to your Athabasca University program, can you apply for transfer credit for courses previously taken at other institutions towards your AU program.
To apply for transfer credit, please complete the following steps:
- Carefully review the transfer credit allowance for the program to which you are applying to.
- Complete the Transfer Credit Evaluation Request Form, making sure to include the following information for each course:
- a clear indication of the Faculty of Health Disciplines course you are seeking transfer credit toward and
- institution name, course title and number, and number of credits of the previously completed course that you want to have evaluated for transfer credit.
- Provide a complete syllabus for each course, including course description, learning objectives, course materials list, evaluation procedures, outline of core topics covered, and program regulations related to mark required for a passing grade. It is your responsibility to ensure that the information provided is complete.
Submit all the following components for transfer credit assessment:- official transcripts
- Transfer Credit Evaluation Request Form
- course syllabi
- other pertinent materials
Transfer Credit Assessment Forms are to be emailed to the graduate academic advisor at fhdgradadvise@athabascau.ca.
Payment for transfer credit evaluation
You can pay your fees either by credit card or by electronic funds transfer (e-transfer). E-transfer information can be found on the Office of the Registrar site. More information on fees can be found here. Please do not submit your payment until the amount has been confirmed by your academic advisor.
For more information contact fhdgradadvise@athabascau.ca
| Winter 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 8 | First day of winter session courses | |
| Jan. 15 | Registration opens for spring session courses (May start) | |
| Feb. 7 | Early withdrawal deadline for winter session (January start) courses. The course will not appear on the transcript. | |
| Feb. 15 | Registration and tuition payment due for spring session courses (May start). No late registrations permitted. | |
| Feb. 17 | Family Day (Alberta) | University closed |
| March 1 | Nurse Practitioner – Preceptor Request Form deadline (Typhon) for clinical (September start). | |
| March 7 | Late withdrawal deadline from winter session (January) courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. | |
| March 13 – 16 | Master of Counselling – GCAP 681: Practicum Virtual Intensive Seminar | |
| March 13 – 16 | Master of Counselling – GCAP 682: Practicum Virtual Intensive Seminar | |
| March 18 – 21 or March 20 – 23 | NURS 518 ON-site Physical Assessment Lab for Winter 2025 session NURS 518 students will attend one of the following:
| |
| April 8 | Last day of winter session courses | |
| April 18 – 21 | Easter break | University closed |
| April 27 | Deadline to submit Application for Graduation forms, grades, and other applicable program requirements to the Office of the Registrar for June Convocation. Thesis students must complete their oral exam by April 7, 2025, and upload their Thesis to the DThesis Repository by April 21, 2025. | |
| Spring 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| May 7 | First day of spring session courses | |
| May 15 | Registration opens for fall session courses (September start) | |
| May 19 | Victoria Day | University closed |
| May 31 | Deadline to register to attend Convocation 2025. Note: in order to apply to graduate in June, all requirements must be met by April 27. See above. | |
| June 5 – 6 | Convocation 2025. Visit the Convocation website for more information. | |
| June 6 | Early withdrawal deadline for spring session courses. The course will not appear on the transcript. | |
| June 15 | Registration and tuition payment due for fall courses (September start). No late registrations permitted. | |
| June 25 – July 30 | Orientation for new Counselling program students (MC, GDC, PMCC) | |
| July 1 | Canada Day | University closed |
| July 1 | Nurse Practitioner – Preceptor Request Form deadline in Typhon for clinical (January start). | |
| July 1 | Master of Counselling – Practicum Placement Request Form deadline in Typhon (September start). | |
| July 4 | Last day for late withdrawal from spring session courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. | |
| July 10 – 13 | GCAP 682: Practicum Virtual Intensive Seminar | |
| July 22 – 25 | NURS 518 On-site Physical Assessment Lab for Spring/Summer 2025 sessions NURS 518 students will attend July 22 – 25 (Tuesday to Friday) at one of:
| |
| Aug. 4 | Civic holiday | University closed |
| Aug. 5 | Last day of spring session courses |
| Fall 2025 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Sep. 1 | Labour Day | University closed |
| Sep. 3 | First day of fall session courses | |
| Sep. 15 | Registration opens for winter session courses (January start) | |
| Sep. 30 | National Day of Truth and Reconciliation | |
| Oct. 2 | Early withdrawal deadline for fall session courses. The course will not appear on the transcript. | |
| Oct. 13 | Thanksgiving | University closed |
| Oct. 15 | Registration and tuition payment due for WInter session (January start). No late registrations permitted. | |
| Nov. 1 | Nurse Practitioner – Preceptor Request Form deadline (Typhon) for clinical (May start). | |
| Nov. 1 | Master of Counselling - Practicum Placement Request Form deadline in Typhon (January start). | |
| Nov. 2 | Late withdrawal deadline Fall courses (September start). Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. | |
| Nov. 6 – 9 | Master of Counselling - GCAP 681: Practicum Virtual Intensive Seminar | |
| Nov. 11 | Remembrance Day | University closed |
| Dec. 2 | Last day of fall session courses | |
| Dec. 25 – Jan. 1 | The University will close at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, December 24, 2025, and will reopen at 8:30 a.m. Friday, January 2, 2026. | University closed |
| Winter 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| Jan. 7 | First day of winter session courses | |
| Jan 15 | Registration opens for spring session courses (May start) | |
| Feb. 6 | Early withdrawal deadline for winter session (January start) courses. The course will not appear on the transcript. | |
| Feb. 15 | Registration and tuition payment due for spring session courses (May start). No later registrations permitted. | |
| Feb. 16 | Family Day (Alberta) | University closed |
| March 1 | Nurse Practitioner – Preceptor Request Form deadline (Typhon) for clinical (September start). | |
| March 6 | Late withdrawal deadline from Winter session (January) courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. | |
| March 12 – 15 | Master of Counselling – GCAP 681: Practicum Virtual Intensive Seminar | |
| March 12 – 15 | Master of Counselling – GCAP 682: Practicum Virtual Intensive Seminar | |
| April 7 | Last day of winter session courses | |
| April 3 – 6 | Easter Break | University closed |
| TBD | Deadline to submit Application for Graduation forms, grades, and other applicable program requirements to the Office of the Registrar for June Convocation. |
| Spring 2026 | ||
|---|---|---|
| May 6 | First day of spring session courses | |
| May 15 | Registration opens for fall session courses (September start) | |
| May 18 | Victoria Day | University closed |
| TBD | Deadline to register to attend Convocation 2026. Note: in order to apply to graduate in June, all requirements must be met by April deadline. See above. | |
| TBD | Convocation 2026. Visit the Convocation website for more information. | |
| June 4 | Early withdrawal deadline for spring session courses. The course will not appear on the transcript. | |
| June 15 | Registration and tuition payment due for fall courses (September start). No late registrations permitted. | |
| June 24 – July 29 | Orientation for new Counselling program students (MC, GDC, PMCC) | |
| July 1 | Canada Day | University closed |
| July 1 | Nurse Practitioner – Preceptor Request Form deadline in Typhon for clinical (January start). | |
| July 1 | Master of Counselling – Practicum Placement Request Form deadline in Typhon (September start). | |
| July 4 | Last day for late withdrawal from spring session courses. Transcripts will reflect a withdrawal in good standing. | |
| July 9 – 12 | GCAP 682: Practicum Virtual Intensive Seminar | |
| Aug. 3 | Civic holiday | University closed |
| Aug. 4 | Last day of spring session courses |
Program delivery
The Graduate Diploma in Counselling (GDC) program is offered 3 semesters every year. Learners participate in paced learning activities that require completion of course work on a fixed schedule. All course work should be completed during the semester periods. Extensions to these timelines may be granted, if circumstances warrant.
Program requirements
Learners are required to complete 18 credits in the Graduate Diploma in Counselling program. Diploma learners are required to complete the following courses:
Learners who successfully complete the Graduate Diploma in Counselling may apply to ladder their coursework directly into the Master of Counselling.
Learners normally progress through the diploma program at a fixed pace. The time commitment will depend on whether you desire to ladder into the Master of Counselling Program or exit the graduate diploma program with the diploma (terminal diploma program).
It is strongly recommended that you consider the time commitment involved in online graduate work as you prepare for the program. You should plan to devote a minimum of 15 hours per week to each course.
Program status
To maintain program status, learners must complete 6 credits during each academic year (Sep. 1 to Aug. 31). Learners are required to receive an overall grade of 70% or B- to pass each Master of Counselling course. In addition, learners are expected to maintain at least a B or 75% in the program. Learners who fail a course or receive a grade of B- in 2 courses may be removed from the program with no option for re-admission to graduate programs.
Residency
In keeping with Athabasca University's mandate of open access, residency requirements for the Graduate Diploma in Counselling (GDC) are satisfied when the learner has successfully completed 12 credits within the GDC program. The remaining credits may be transferred from other institutions, if they are applicable to the university's GDC program. Please see the Transfer credit section above for more information.
Learners must participate in a 3-week intensive virtual summer institute. All learners must complete the Developing a Working Alliance course within the GDC program.
Program withdrawal
Learners may withdraw from the program by submitting their request in writing and formally withdrawing from any courses in which they are currently registered. Learners who withdraw may apply to re-enrol in the program by following regular application procedures.
Full- and part-time status
Learners may study in the program on a full- or part-time basis. Part-time learners must complete a minimum of 6 credits per calendar year. Normally, the GDC program is completed in 1.5 years. Program learners will be considered full time if they complete a minimum of 9 credits in a given calendar year. Note however, that other organizations (e.g. provincial student loan programs, First Nations, Canada Revenue Agency) may have other criteria for defining full-time status.
Program completion time limits
Learners must complete the GDC degree requirements within 3 years of their initial enrolment in the program. Learners who do not do so may be required to repeat courses completed at the beginning of their program.
Use of Graduate Diploma in Counselling credential
The GDC program does not have candidacy exams, therefore the use of GDC (C) or GDC (Candidate) during your program is not permitted. You may use this credential only after the degree is conferred.
Graduation requirements
To be eligible for graduation, students must complete 18 credits of graduate coursework required for the GDC degree.
Course registration
It is the learner's responsibility to register by the course registration deadline and ensure that all prerequisite requirements are fulfilled. If a learner registers in a course for which he/she is not eligible, the registration may be cancelled and the tuition fee—less the withdrawal processing fee—will be refunded.
Course extensions
The program is offered 3 semesters each year. Learners participate in paced learning activities that require completion of course work on a fixed schedule. All course work should be completed during the semester periods. Extensions to these timelines may be granted, if circumstances warrant.
In exceptional circumstances, and where the course instructor concurs, learners may be assigned a grade of "Incomplete" (INC). This allows learners to take 1 additional month to complete and submit the course work. In order for learners to extend their course work, they must submit the course extension form and fee for approval. One month after the original course completion date, a final grade will be assigned to the course based on the assignments completed before that date. If no assignments have been submitted, a final grade will be assigned based on the course work received as of that date. Normally this will result in a grade of F being assigned.
Course withdrawal
Learners may withdraw from a course up until one month before the end of the session (refer to the current Academic schedule). In order to withdraw from a course, students must submit a Graduate Course Withdrawal Form to their program office. The date of withdrawal will be the date of the emailed form.
Learners who withdraw from a course any time after their course registration is finalized and up until the early withdrawal deadline (1 month after the course start date) will have the record of registration deleted from their official transcript and will be refunded the course tuition less the Course Withdrawal Processing Fee. Course materials should not be returned as there will be no additional refund.
Learners who withdraw from a course after the first month of the course start date and before the last month of the course will have their official record and transcript indicate that they withdrew without credit, and without prejudice or academic penalty (W). No fees will be refunded for learners withdrawing after the first month of a course.
Learners may not withdraw from a course within 30 days of the final day of the course.
A learner will only be allowed to withdraw from a core course 2 times (non-medical) before being asked to leave the program. Continued enrolment and withdrawing from a course—in particular a core course—is interpreted as the inability to successfully meet the academic requirements of the program.
Code of ethics
Learners, instructors, and faculty are required to abide by the Code of Ethics and the Standards of Practice of the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association.
Grading system
All courses will be graded using the Alpha/4.0 grading scale (effective September 1, 2004).
Please review the Graduate Grading Policy and information about academic records on the Office of the Registrar site for more information on grading scales.
Clinical Placement
FHD students in a clinical placement are bound by the Clinical Placement Misconduct Policy. Any actions or behaviours that fall under the scope of the university’s Academic Misconduct Policy, Non-Academic Misconduct Policy, or Academic Integrity Policy will continue to be dealt with under those policies.
A non-refundable convenience charge will be charged when using Visa or Mastercard to pay student fees. American Express is no longer an accepted method of payment. For more information on the convenience charge, please visit the Financial Services website.
The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services; for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.
Course tuition fees (includes all required materials)
| Learners living in Canada | $1,8661 |
| Learners living outside Canada | $2,1111 |
1The Graduate Diploma in Counselling (GDC) course tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology Fee of $58 and Course Materials Fee of $37 per course and are included in this calculation. This calculation also includes the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) Fee of $14 per credit.
| Program fee per 3-credit course (non-refundable) | $676 |
| Program fee per 6-credit course (non-refundable) | $1,352 |
| Total program fee (non-refundable)2 | $4,056 |
2The total program fee is split up and charged with individual course registrations.
Estimated program tuition cost (2024-2025):
The total tuition cost for a learner living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, over a 1 ⅔-year period, would be $15,252 ($1,866 x 6 = $11,196, 3-credit course equivalents, plus program fees of $4,056 for a total of $15,252). AUGSA fees are included in this calculation. Application and admission fees are not included in the above calculation.
Other fees
| Transfer Credit Evaluation Fee | $348/course |
| Course Extension Fee (this fee applies to extensions of all FHD graduate courses, regardless of credit weight) | $334 |
| Letter of Permission Fee | $100 |
| Course Withdrawal Processing Fee3: | $453 |
| AU Graduate Student Association Fee (per credit): | $14 |
3The Course Withdrawal Processing Fee includes the cost of course materials, shipping, and an administrative fee for processing the request. For early withdrawal only, the learner will be refunded the full course tuition fees (see above) less the Course Withdrawal Processing Fee. Refer to the information about course withdrawal under Course regulations and procedures.
Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Information effective Sep. 1, 2024 to Aug. 31, 2025.
Helpful links and resources:
Updated February 06, 2025 by Office of the Registrar (calendar@athabascau.ca)