Duration
Minimum one year, maximum three years. No evening classes — study in your own time.
NQF 5 · 120 Credits · Higher Certificate
Higher Certificate in Community Counselling
Trains and equips lay counsellors to make a meaningful difference in the mental health and well-being of individuals across churches, schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and faith-based organisations (FBOs).
- Accredited by the CHE
- Registered with DHET
- Ref: H/PRO96/K002CAN
Aim of the Programme
Equipping lay counsellors. Serving communities.
The purpose of the Higher Certificate in Community Counselling, designed at NQF Level 5, is to train and equip lay counsellors to be knowledgeable and effective in making a difference in the mental health and well-being of individuals in a variety of settings.
These settings include churches, schools, non-governmental organisations (NGOs), and faith-based organisations (FBOs) — giving graduates the foundational skills to serve meaningfully wherever they are called.
- Know the historical development and current status of Psychology in understanding human behaviour
- Be familiar with marriage and family development, and family issues within a developmental psychology framework
- Be familiar with the dynamics of crisis and crisis intervention strategies
- Identify issues young people face in South African realities — alcohol, teenage pregnancy, HIV/AIDS, violence, substance abuse, and gangsterism
- Understand contemporary contextual social problems and intervention strategies
- Describe personality functioning and foundational understanding of psychological disorders, causes, and treatment approaches
- Understand community mental health settings and the services that can be provided
Watch the programme overview
Time Commitment & Mode
How you can study.
Delivery Mode
Offered in Distance Mode only (as per CHE concession).
Intakes
Two intakes per year — January and July. Apply early to secure your place.
Career Opportunities
Where it can take you.
The Higher Certificate in Community Counselling is targeted at individuals who are looking to find career paths in NGOs in Psychology and Community Development related fields, or who want to work as lay counsellors in various settings.
- Lay counsellor in churches, schools, NGOs, or FBOs
- Community mental health support
- Youth & family services
- Crisis intervention volunteer
- Community development practitioner
- Pastoral care support team member
Admission Requirements
Standard entry.
- 01 A National Senior Certificate or National Certificate Vocational (certificate pass).
- 02 A Matriculation Certificate or equivalent.
- 03 Mature age of 45+ can be admitted, determined by the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) portfolio of evidence provided.
Programme Coordinator
Geraldine Franciscus
Head of Department · Counselling Psychologist
Geraldine Franciscus is a Counselling Psychologist, the Head of the Psychology Department and a Senior Lecturer at Cornerstone Institute. She has been a psychology lecturer for over 20 years, with a special interest in Brain Working Recursive Therapy and Solution-Focused Brief Therapy. Her research has been published in the International Journal of Higher Education and Democracy. She is an executive member of the Psychological Society of South Africa's Counselling Psychology Division (SAACP) and its former Chair (2019–2021).
geraldinef@cornerstone.ac.za
Accreditation
Fully accredited.
Registered as Cornerstone Institute (RF) NPC with the Department of Higher Education and Training as a private higher education institution under the Higher Education Act, 1997, Registration Certificate No. 2001/HE08/006.
Registered by the DHET. Accredited by the CHE as a 120-credit learning programme for higher education at NQF Level 5.
- SAQA ID96413
- CHE RefH/PRO96/K002CAN
- NQF Level5
- Reg. Cert.2001/HE08/006
Resources
Everything you need, in one place.
Ready to make a difference in mental health?
Applications are open for the January and July intakes.