The Master of Counselling provides students with both the experiential and theoretical foundation to function as professional counsellors in Australia. Posited in a Christian worldview, this supportive, two-year course emphasises the common factors essential to counselling, introduces various counselling methods, and builds basic and advanced counselling skills. The Master of Counselling also introduces students to research in the science of counselling and provides a one-year clinical placement.
This course can be studied on campus or online. Students who elect to study this course primarily on campus, must be aware that there is a small group of units that are offered only online. Students who elect to study this course primarily online, must also note that there is a small group of units that have a short intensive study period component where studying on campus is a mandatory part of this unit. Students must plan to attend these intensive periods in person.
To qualify for admission, an applicant must have achieved:
• an Australian Bachelor’s degree, or
• an overseas qualification comparable to an Australian Bachelor’s degree or higher.
In exceptional circumstances an applicant may be admitted based on qualifications deemed equivalent as assessed by the Course Convenor in consultation with the Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic).
Who are on a student visa:
This course is not available to international students on a student visa (subclass 500) or for those who wish to study on a student visa.
Who are on a visa other than a student visa:
International students on a visa other than a student visa with no study limitations, may choose to study full-time or part-time in any study mode.
(Students are considered a domestic student if they hold a permanent residency visa.)
Who do not require a visa:
This course is also available online for international students who want to study from their home country. The student will need to arrange their own tourist visa to attend mandatory intensive units delivered face-to-face. Please explore the visa option to plan your study.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must demonstrate English language proficiency through one of the following:
1. achieving an overall IELTS score of 6.5 with no sub-band less than 6.0, or
2. one of the other ways outlined in Appendix 2 of the Admission Policy (HE), or
3. documentary evidence of a prior qualification (or at least two years of tertiary study) conducted and assessed in English in a recognised country^ and completed within the last two years.
^Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom, or the United States of America.
Applicants who have completed prior study may be eligible for advanced standing (credit recognition). Applicants should discuss their eligibility for advanced standing with the Admissions Team or the Course Convenor.
The Master of Counselling (MC) consists of 16 units and requires 96 credit points for completion. All units are worth 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.
Sem 1 | CNSL41100 Fundamentals of Counselling | CNSL41110 Psychotherapy and Counselling Theories | CNSL41160 Introduction to Psychology for Counselling | CNSL41140 Developmental Theories and Counselling |
| Sem 2 | CNSL41400 Research in Counselling Practice A | CNSL41120 Spiritual Perspectives on Emotional Disorders | CNSL41130 Ethics, Diversity and Spiritual Integration | CNSL41210 Advanced Therapeutic Skills |
Sem 3 | CNSL51230 Mental Health & Psychopathology | CNSL51260 Counselling Children & Adolescents | CNSL51300 Counselling Practice I | CNSL51240 Systemic and Family Therapy Approaches |
| Sem 4 | CNSL51250 Counselling Couples | PSYC51500 Introduction to Psychology of Religion | CNSL51310 Counselling Practice II | CNSL51410 Research in Counselling Practice B |
Students are required to complete a 1 year internship in the second year of the program. A minimum of 80 hours of counselling is required in order to graduate. 40 of those hours must be conducted as face to face counselling hours.
Upon graduation, students will be able to apply for provisional registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) or apply for membership with the Australian Counselling Association or the Australian Christian Counsellors Association.
This course does meet the current requirements of the PACFA and an application for this course to be accredited with PACFA will be lodged in due course.
Successful completion of the Master of Counselling will allow the student to be industry ready and to seek employment in counselling or counselling related position such as:
• Year-long clinical placement
• Dedicated research units
• Inclusive, supportive environment
