Master of Counselling

Why study the Master of Counselling at UNE?

The Master of Counselling offers an integrative approach to counsellor training and supervision, drawing upon a wide range of theories and evidence-informed practice to equip students with the advanced knowledge and skills-based competencies required by contemporary counselling practitioners. Emphasis is given to producing counsellors who are ethical, self-reflexive, and committed to lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.

Offering a combination of theoretical and experiential learning via distance education, the course is ideally suited to individuals wishing to gain an industry-recognised qualification whilst continuing to meet their work and family commitments. The course provides a pathway to the Doctor of Philosophy and other doctoral programmes for those students who meet other entry requirements to these programmes.

The Master of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), a national peak association, and Australia's largest single registration body for counsellors and psychotherapists. Student membership with the ACA is available while undertaking the course, with professional membership eligibility after graduation. Graduates who engage in ongoing professional development are also eligible to be listed on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP), an independent national register of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.

Career Opportunities

Enhanced employment opportunities within the counselling, health, education and human services sectors as well as private practice.

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Degree Snapshot

DURATION

Up to 6 years Part-time

FEES

CSP (quotas apply)
Full Fee
International

2018 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale

Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 2, Online

Official Abbreviation MCouns
Course Type Postgraduate
Commencing
Location Admission Period Mode of Study
Armidale Trimester 1 Online
Armidale Trimester 2 Online
Course Duration
  • Up to 6 years Part-time
Fees CSP (quotas apply) / Full Fee / International
Total Credit Points 72
Intensive Schools

Mandatory intensive schools are a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification a cognate discipline* ; or

(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a different discipline and hold the AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice from the University of New England; or

(c) hold the 2015-onwards AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of New England; or

(d) hold the AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care from the University of New England; or

(e) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a cognate discipline* and hold the AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice from the University of New England; or

(f) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a different discipline and hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in a cognate discipline*; or

(g) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a different discipline and hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline*; or

(h) satisfy the School by means of other relevant qualifications and workplace experience [at least equivalent to Admission Rule (a)] of adequate preparation for candidature.

*Cognate disciplines include, but are not limited to: Counselling, psychology, social work, nursing, teaching, human resources, life coaching, community services, children's services, youth work, care for the aged, care for the disabled, residential client care, welfare studies, human welfare studies and services.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a), (b) (e) and (h) are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Students admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature (for units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS472, HSCS474, HSCS478, HSCS533, HSCS536 and HSCS550.

Students admitted under Rule (d) shall be granted a maximum of 36 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature (for units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS472, HSCS478, HSCS536 and HSCS550).

Students admitted under Rule (f) and (g) may be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of advanced standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 12 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based.

No advanced standing will be granted for HLTH554A.

Academic Colours

Old Rose (BCC 157)

Further Information

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These course rules & plans are ONLY to be used if you commenced, transferred or changed versions in the Master of Counselling in 2018.

Admission to Candidature

A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a cognate discipline*; or
(b) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a different discipline and hold the AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice from the University of New England; or
(c) hold the 2015-onwards AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of New England; or
(d) hold the AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care from the University of New England; or
(e) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a cognate discipline* and hold the AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice from the University of New England; or
(f) hold an AQF level 7 Bachelor qualification in a different discipline and hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate in cognate discipline*; or
(g) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification in a different discipline and hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in a cognate discipline*; or
(h) satisfy the School by means of other relevant qualifications and workplace experience [at least equivalent to Admission Rule (a)] of adequate preparation for candidature.

*Cognate disciplines include, but are not limited to: Counselling, psychology, social work, nursing, teaching, human resources, life coaching, community services, children’s services, youth work, care for the aged, care for the disabled, residential client care, welfare studies, human welfare studies and services.

Additional Requirements

Inherent Requirements

Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.

Advanced Standing

Candidates admitted under Rule (a), (b), (e) and (h) are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.

Students admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted a maximum of 48 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature (for units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS472, HSCS474, HSCS478, HSCS533, HSCS536 and HSCS550.

Students admitted under Rule (d) shall be granted a maximum of 36 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature (for units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS472, HSCS478, HSCS536 and HSCS550).

Students admitted under Rules (f) and (g) may be granted a maximum of 24 credit points of advanced standing based on their admission to candidature. Up to a further 12 credit points may be granted based on units that were not part of the degree on which admission was based.

No advanced standing will be granted for HLTH554A.

Period of Candidature

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), (b), (e), (f), (g) and (h) the period of candidature shall be up to six years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (c) the period of candidature shall be up to two years as a part-time candidate.

For candidates admitted under Rule (d) the period of candidature shall be up to three years as a part-time candidate.

Course Requirements

To qualify for the award a candidate must pass units to the value of 72 credit points, including a minimum of 36 credit points at 500-level.

Program of Study

Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:

For candidates admitted under Rule (a), (b), (e), (f), (g) or (h)
Course Structure Credit Points
Core Units 72 cps
Total 72 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (c)
Course Structure Credit Points
Specified Advanced Standing 48 cps
Core Units 24 cps
Total 72 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

For candidates admitted under Rule (d)
Course Structure Credit Points
Specified Advanced Standing 36 cps
Core Units 36 cps
Total 72 cps

To view complete Program of Study click here

Award of Degree

Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Counselling.

Exit Pathways

Subject to meeting Advanced Standing rules, candidates admitted to the Master of Counselling under Rule (a), (b), (e), (f), (g) or (h) and who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Counselling upon completion of 48 credit points comprising units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS472, HSCS474, HSCS478, HSCS533, HSCS536 and HSCS550.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies must apply for readmission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Counselling. This may mean that they will not receive full recognition for their previous studies should the course structure have changed in response to University requirements.

Appeals

Candidates are referred to the Academic Assessment Appeals Policy and the Academic Assessment Appeals Procedures.

Course Progression

Candidates are referred to the Course Progression Rule and the Course Progression Procedures.

Improper Conduct

Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Rule and the Student Coursework Academic Misconduct Procedures.

Course Aims

This course aims to equip students with mastery of specialised counselling skills.

Learning Outcomes Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
  1. demonstrate specialised, integrative theoretical knowledge and skill-based practice in the discipline of counselling;
  2. utilise contemporary research and evidence-based guidelines, together with a professional and integrated understanding of diverse client populations and the main theoretical approaches used, in order to best meet their needs;
  3. utilise codes of practice for counsellors and apply principles of ethico-legal practice to plan and document ways of working with clients in complex situations, demonstrating respect for diversity and well developed judgement;
  4. conduct a range of counselling sessions in a professional manner, demonstrating mastery of specialised knowledge in order to best meet the needs of clients, groups and communities;
  5. engage reflexively in robust analysis of their case conceptualisation, counselling and supervision skills and develop a plan for ongoing supervision and professional development; and
  6. demonstrate the capacity to work in collaborative practice, to develop academic and research skills, and to communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
Graduate Attributes
Knowledge of a Discipline

Students will acquire advanced knowledge, experience and critical understanding of the professional practice and scholarship of this discipline from a culturally sensitive, global perspective.

Communication Skills

Students will increase their English language proficiency through the holistic integration of verbal and written communication skills with academic, practice-based, specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Problem Solving

Students will develop their ability to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, to apply theory to practice in an integrative way, and to critically reflect on appropriate ways to support clients.

Information Literacy

Students will increase their capacity to critically analyse and evaluate the sources and validity of information relevant to this discipline, their ability to think critically and evaluate complex ideas and experiences and the ability to design, and to implement research that contributes to professional practice or scholarship in this field.

Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility

Students will develop their capacity to critically analyse, reflect on and apply complex information in relation to ethical conduct and social responsibility expected by this discipline towards clients, colleagues, specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Lifelong Learning

Students will expand their capacity to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge, reflect critically on theory and professional practice, and to take responsibility and be accountable for personal and professional practice as a counsellor through self-reflexive practice.

Independence and Collaboration

Students will develop and refine their skills, understanding and ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.

How to Apply

Domestic Students

All domestic students apply through the link below

For more information, click here

International Students

International students apply direct to UNE through UNE International. This course is only available online (distance education).

For more information, click here

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