Distance Education Program

Distance Education Program (DEP) and Korean Distance Education Program (KDEP)

If you can’t get to one of the AIFC centres, you may be eligible for our Distance Education Program.

The Korean Distance Education Program (KDEP) was introduced in 2009 and is available for Korean-speaking students who live outside of NSW and ACT. (See Korean Language Program)

Distance Education Program (DEP)

If you’re an Australian resident, you’ll be assigned to a centre but you won’t be required to attend all the seminars. You will be required to attend the first and fourth seminars of each year, plus an additional three day seminar of your choice, at your nominated centre, over the two years of the course. That’s a minimum of 15 days seminar attendance…..

To be eligible for the Distance Education Program you must:

a) live in a remote part of Australia, or

b) be seriously disadvantaged and unable to travel to a course venue, or

c) live overseas.

The DEP is a great program, but keep in mind that the training program isn’t just an academic exercise. It includes personal and professional development involving class interaction, sharing, tutorial groups, personal mentoring, demonstrations and so on that are not easy to attain at a distance.

After all, a career in counselling is all about being an effective communicator and listener and the only way to hone those skills is through interaction with others.

Students are therefore strongly encouraged to make the effort to attend all of the Christian counselling education seminars.

As a DEP student, you will still be eligible for Austudy/Abstudy . When applying for Austudy/Abstudy you should emphasise that you are doing an accredited full-time course and registered through the National Office in Canberra.

The official commencement date for the DEP is in early February, however, commencement earlier in the year is recommended.

If you apply for the DEP, you’re required to commit to:

• attend the first and fourth seminar each year and at least one additional AIFC three day seminar during the term of the Advanced Diploma
• detailed study of the training volumes
• meet twice each term in a small group with at least one other student of the course (or previous student or other trained counsellor) to complete the skills training assignments and for support
• find a suitable learning partner in order to complete the Egan basic counselling skills exercises
• carefully listen to any audio and video tapes or CD/DVDs which may be sent
• complete all of the assignments set out in the Handbook for Students
• complete the oral presentation at an AIFC training centre fourth seminar (preferred), or in a suitable setting with an audience and video-recorded as agreed to by the DEP director
• video record other assignments, such as required role-plays, if you’re unable to attend an AIFC training centre
• complete any additional assignments requested
• pay course fees in full and preferably in advance (payment in four increments at the commencement of each quarter throughout the year will be accepted).

Assignments are to be sent by email or post to reach tutors no later than the last day of each term. Alternatively and preferably, students may submit their assignments progressively throughout each term as agreed with tutors.

In extenuating circumstances, training and assessment requirements can be negotiated with the National Office.