We live in a multicultural society, so it’s crucial to embrace differences and develop cultural competence. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to enhance their multicultural awareness and is particularly important for counsellors, managers, business owners, migration agents and those in healthcare and helping professions.
Multicultural Awareness is an online professional development program designed to develop your sensitivity to culture, diversity and multicultural societies and to enhance your capacity to understand multicultural issues.
In this online multicultural awareness course, you will gain an understanding of the origins and influence of prejudices and institutional and structural racism. You will also learn how to communicate across cultures, work with culturally diverse clients and overcome barriers to ensure successful multicultural relationships.
You will discover the social, psychological and cultural influences on multicultural mental health issues, factors affecting grief and bereavement, stages in cultural shock and adjustment and treatments for culture distress.
On completion of this course, you will have gained insight to relate to and support those from multicultural backgrounds and feel confident to encourage and support diversity.
Course Structure
Unit - Multicultural Awareness
Unit 1 – Cultural Diversity
- Defining culture
- Elements of culture
- Societal structures and processes
- Subcultures
- Key areas of cultural diversity
- Cultural behaviour
- Values
- Social discourse
- Ideology
- Expectations
- Debates with culture
Unit 2 – Cultural Self-Awareness
- Cultural identity
- Defining cultural self
- Environmental influences
- Family or social group
- Definitions of self
- Psychological influences
- Human nature
- Personal autonomy
- Socio economic and political influences
- Emphasis or minimisation of cultural diversity
- Code switching
- Physical environmental influences
Unit 3 – Prejudice and Racism
- Ingroups or outgroups
- Ethnocentrism
- What is prejudice
- Functions of prejudice
- How we measure prejudice
- Theoretical perspectives on prejudice
- Stereotypes
- Functions of stereotypes
- Dangers of using stereotypes
- Discrimination / social discrimination
- Racism
- Institutional or structural racism
- Black lives matter movement (BLM)
- Perception
- Perceptual change
- Cognitive dissonance
- Perceptual defence
- Reducing prejudice
- Changing stereotypes
- Developing cultural sensitivity
- Belonging to a dominant culture
Unit 4 – Working with Culturally Different Clients
- Communicating across cultures
- Principles of communication
- Cultural differences
- Communicating intimate information
- The culturally skilled worker
- Conformity
- Factors affecting conformity
Unit 5 – Barriers to Effective Multi-Cultural Relationships
- Abnormality
- The counsellors culture
- The clients culture
- Individual differences
- Cross cultural communication hurdles
- Culture shock
- Non verbal communication
- Developing trust
- Formal judgements
- Culture and child development
- Coping with change
Unit 6 – Developing Cultural Competence
- Culturally competent service delivery
- Culturally appropriate service
- Culturally accessible service
- Culturally acceptable service
- Training for cultural change
- Cross culture counselling in disaster situations
- The role of family
- Working with other cultures
Unit 7 – Multicultural Mental Health Issues
- Problems with cultural difference in psychology
- Cultural influences on mental health
- Culture bound syndromes
- Trance and possession disorder
- Factors affecting grief and bereavement
- Social, psychological and cultural influences
Unit 8 – Shortcomings of Contemporary Counselling Theories and Future Developments
- Culture shock
- Stages in cultural shock and adjustment
- Post traumatic stress disorder
- Treatments for culture distress
- Successful intercultural adjustment
- Case Study
Study Hours
Estimated duration 50 hours
Course Delivery and Start
Start anytime, self-paced and 100% online
Assessment
Assessment will be comprised of written exercises, including short-answer questions, reflective tasks, short reports and/or projects. There are no examinations or due dates for assessment. As a result, you can complete training in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Testimonials
About Us
Graduation
A Certificate of Attainment and Statement of Results will be issued upon successful completion of this course.
How to Enrol
Enrol Online: Enrol Now
Enrol via Live Chat (Business Hours)
Enrol via Telephone 1300 76 2221 (Business Hours)
Enrol via Purchase Order/Tax Invoice
Enrolling Multiple Staff?
To enrol multiple staff, please complete the Employer Enrolment Form. We’ll be in touch within 60 minutes during business hours!
Payment Options
Visa, Mastercard, BPAY and EFT/Direct Deposit. Please allow 1-2 Business days for processing for EFT and BPAY.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support via email;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
Are there any entry requirements or pre-requisites?
There are no course or subject pre-requisites for entry into our programs. However, our professional development programs are generally intended for people over the age of 18. In some circumstances, enrolments from younger people may be considered. Please complete the AOC Parent Guardian Consent Form prior to enrolling and submit here.
Are there any computer requirements?
To study online with Australian Online Courses you will need a computer (desktop PC/laptop) running a current/updated operating system with reliable high-speed internet access. You will need to use the Google Chrome browser to access your course.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
How is this course delivered?
This course is delivered online via our easy-to-navigate Learning Management System (LMS), where you will discover interactive online learning/written content, resources and assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our LMS and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email only during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
Future growth
Strong
Unemployment
Low
Professional Development For:-
- Business Owners
- Managers
- Human Resource Officers
- Migration Officers