Do you want to build a career in counselling, education, or mental wellness? Looking for a flexible course that you can pursue along with your job or studies?
A PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling helps you develop practical skills to guide and support individuals in academic, personal, and career-related matters.
In this blog, explore everything about the course, including eligibility, fees, admission process, and career opportunities in simple and easy-to-understand language.
Overview of PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
The PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling (PGDGC) is a one-year program designed to build strong theoretical knowledge and practical expertise in the field of guidance and counselling. It is ideal for graduates looking to pursue a rewarding career as well as working professionals seeking to enhance their counselling and interpersonal skills to create a meaningful impact on people’s lives.
The programme equips learners with the knowledge, skills, and applied competencies needed to provide effective support in educational, organisational, and community settings. It focuses on the core principles of guidance and counselling, ethical practices, and experiential learning through case studies and practical applications.
By combining counselling theories with practical techniques, the PGDGC enables learners to address academic, career, emotional, and social concerns with confidence and sensitivity. The program also nurtures essential professional qualities such as self-awareness, empathy, communication, and ethical decision-making, which are fundamental to effective counseling practice. For learners seeking a flexible alternative to a traditional psychological counselling course, the PGDGC offers a comprehensive and accessible pathway to develop counselling capabilities.
Graduates of this diploma programme can contribute meaningfully as mentors, facilitators, and associate counsellors in schools, colleges, NGOs, healthcare institutions, and corporate environments, supporting holistic growth, well-being, and personal development.
Upon successful completion of the Post Graduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling, learners will be able to:
- Demonstrate a strong understanding of the theories and principles of guidance and counselling.
- Apply essential counselling competencies and interpersonal skills across diverse settings.
- Identify and address emotional, academic, career, and behavioural concerns effectively.
- Practice counselling with empathy, professionalism, ethical integrity, and multicultural awareness.
- Contribute positively to educational, social, and organisational environments through supportive guidance and counselling practices.
Objectives of PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
Here are the key objectives of the PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling.
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Career Readiness in Counselling and Social Development
Prepare learners for specialised professional roles in guidance and counselling, mental health support, and social development sectors.
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Ethical and Inclusive Counselling Practices
Promote ethical counselling approaches while developing multicultural awareness and sensitivity in professional practice.
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Development of Essential Counselling Competencies
Foster key skills such as reflective thinking, empathy, interpersonal communication, and active listening.
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Application of Counselling Skills in Real-Life Contexts
Provide learners with practical tools to apply psychological counselling techniques across personal, professional, educational, and community settings.
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Professional Preparation for Helping Roles
Enable learners to contribute effectively in diverse counselling, wellness, and community-oriented roles.
Key Highlights of PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
- A one-year flexible programme tailored for both working professionals and recent graduates
- Integrates comprehensive training in guidance as well as counselling methodologies
- Suitable for learners across India looking to pursue a distance-learning diploma in counselling
- Equips students for professional opportunities in schools, rehabilitation centres, NGOs, and healthcare organisations
- Recognised among the top guidance and counselling programmes available in India
Course Curriculum of PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
Here is the course curriculum explained for PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling.
Semester 1
- Basics of Guidance and Counselling
- Counsellor and Counselling Skills
- Understanding Maladaptive Patterns
- Vocational and Educational Guidance & Counselling
- Case Study Report 1
Semester 2
- Psychoanalytical Approach of Counselling
- Humanistic Approaches to Counselling
- Cognitive Approaches to Counselling
- Assessment in Guidance and Counselling
- Case Study Report 2
PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling: Understanding Eligibility and Fees
Eligibility Criteria:
- A graduate in any discipline from a recognised university
- Awaiting your final-year results and applying on a provisional basis
- An International or SAARC applicant with an AIU equivalence certificate for foreign qualifications
The PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling programme is open to both fresh graduates and working professionals seeking to build expertise in the field.
Fees:
The PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling is INR 52,000.
Step-by-Step Admission Process of PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
Step 1: Purchase the Application Form
- Click on “Sign Up” to register on the Symbiosis Centre for Distance Learning online application portal
- Log in to purchase and complete the application form
- Application forms are available in both online and offline modes
Step 2: Registration
- Upload a recent passport-size colour photograph, government-issued photo ID, academic documents, signature, and work experience certificates
- Applicants applying under the Defence Category must submit valid supporting documents, such as a service certificate, discharge book, or dependent certificate
Step 3: Fee Payment
- Pay the complete programme fee through your Apply Online account or Student Login within the specified timelines to secure your admission
- The programme fee does not include examination fees, project submission charges, or the cost of printed Self-Learning Material (SLM)
- Printed SLM is available as an optional paid service
- Examination fees must be paid separately for each paper and for every attempt
- Examination fees, project fees, and printed SLM charges are non-refundable and non-transferable
Career Opportunities After PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling
Let’s explore career options to choose after completing PGD in Guidance and Counselling.
| Job Role | Salary in INR |
| Academic Counsellor | 4,30,000 |
| Career Guidance Facilitator | 13,20,000 |
| Well-Being Officer | 8,00,000 |
| College Counsellor | 6,00,000 |
| Corporate Wellness Officer | 10,00,000 |
Please Note: The salaries mentioned above are subject to change over time.
Conclusion
A PG Diploma in Guidance and Counselling is a valuable choice for students and professionals looking to build a meaningful career in the education and mental wellness sector.
With flexible online learning, simple eligibility criteria, and industry-relevant training, the programme is designed to suit learners across India. It opens doors to career opportunities in schools, NGOs, rehabilitation centres, and healthcare organisations.
If you are passionate about helping others and guiding individuals towards personal and professional growth, this diploma could be the right next step.

