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 university-qualified, registered counsellors who are ethical, self-reflexive, and committed to lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.
Combining online study with mandatory intensive schools in a blended learning format, the course is ideally suited to individuals with a prior degree in any discipline wishing to gain an industry-recognised qualification whilst continuing to meet their work and family commitments. As part of the award, students can complete either the Generalist Counselling Pathway or the Counselling Placement Pathway which involves 40 hours of face-to-face counselling; 10 hours of clinical supervision and 150 hours of agency-based activities. The course provides a pathway to the UNE Doctor of Philosophy for those students who meet the other entry requirements to that program.
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 public, private and community 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
2019 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale
Trimester 1, Online
Trimester 2, Online
Official Abbreviation | MCouns | |||||||||
Course Type | Postgraduate | |||||||||
Commencing |
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Course Duration |
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Fees |
CSP (quotas apply)
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Full Fee
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International
For fee information, click here |
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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. |
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Entry Requirements | A candidate shall: (a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification; or (b) hold the 2015-2018 AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of New England; or (c) hold the 2019-onwards AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of New England; or (d) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or AQF Level 9 Masters or AQF Level 10 Doctorate degree in any relevant* discipline; or (e) satisfy UNE by means of other relevant* professional experience by submitting a Statement of Service from your employer/s and a resume outlining a minimum of three years' full-time (or equivalent) relevant* professional experience and training undertaken in the past 10 years. *Relevant 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, pastoral care and medicine. |
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Additional Requirements | Inherent Requirements: Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course. |
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Advanced Standing | Candidates admitted under Rule (a), (d) and (e) are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing. Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted 30 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS533, HSCS536 and HSCS550. For candidates completing the Counselling Placement Pathway a further 6 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature shall be granted for units HSCS472 or HSCS474 or HSCS478. For candidates not completing the Counselling Placement Pathway a further 18 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature shall be granted for units HSCS472, HSCS474 and HSCS478. Candidates admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted 30 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS533, HSCS56 and HSCS538. In addition, candidates admitted under Rule (c) who have previously completed the Generalist Counselling Pathway and do not wish to complete the Counselling Placement Pathway will receive a further 18 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS472, HSCS474 and HSCS478. Candidates who have previously completed the Counselling Placement Pathway and who do not wish to complete the Generalist Counselling Pathway will receive a further 18 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS441 and HSCS472 or HSCS474 or HSCS478. Or, candidates admitted under Rule (c) who have previously completed the Generalist Counselling Pathway and who wish to complete the Counselling Placement Pathway will receive a further 6 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS472 or HSCS474 or HSCS478. Candidates who have previously completed the Counselling Placement Pathway and wish to complete the Generalist Counselling Pathway will receive a further 6 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS472 or HSCS474 or HSCS478. No advanced standing will be granted for HLTH554A. |
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Academic Colours | Old Rose (BCC 157) |
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Further Information |
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE |
Admission to Candidature
A candidate shall:
(a) hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification; or
(b) hold the 2015-2018 AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of New England; or
(c) hold the 2019-onwards AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of New England; or
(d) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or AQF Level 9 Masters or AQF Level 10 Doctorate degree in any relevant* discipline; or
(e) satisfy UNE by means of other relevant* professional experience by submitting a Statement of Service from your employer/s and a resume outlining a minimum of three years' full-time (or equivalent) relevant* professional experience and training undertaken in the past 10 years.
*Relevant 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, pastoral care and medicine.
Additional Requirements
Inherent Requirements
Students must meet the Inherent Requirements in order to complete this course.
Advanced Standing
Candidates admitted under Rule (a), (d) and (e) are referred to the University Policy on Advanced Standing.
Candidates admitted under Rule (b) shall be granted 30 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS533, HSCS536 and HSCS550. For candidates completing the Counselling Placement Pathway a further 6 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature shall be granted for units HSCS472 or HSCS474 or HSCS478. For candidates not completing the Counselling Placement Pathway a further 18 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature shall be granted for units HSCS472, HSCS474 and HSCS478.
Candidates admitted under Rule (c) shall be granted 30 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS533, HSCS56 and HSCS538.
In addition, candidates admitted under Rule (c) who have previously completed the Generalist Counselling Pathway and do not wish to complete the Counselling Placement Pathway will receive a further 18 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS472, HSCS474 and HSCS478. Candidates who have previously completed the Counselling Placement Pathway and do not wish to complete the Generalist Counselling Pathway will receive a further 18 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS441 and HSCS472 or HSCS474 or HSCS478.
Or, candidates admitted under Rule (c) who have previously completed the Generalist Counselling Pathway and who wish to complete the Counselling Placement Pathway will receive a further 6 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS472 or HSCS474 or HSCS478. Candidates who have previously completed the Counselling Placement Pathway and wish to complete the Generalist Counselling Pathway will receive a further 6 credit points of Specified Advanced Standing based on their admission to candidature for units HSCS472 or HSCS474 or HSCS478.
No advanced standing will be granted for HLTH554A.
Period of Candidature
For candidates admitted under Rule (a), (d) and (e) the period of candidature shall be up to six years as a part-time candidate.
For candidates admitted under Rule (b) the period of candidature shall be up to two years as a part-time candidate.
For candidates admitted under Rule (c) 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), (d) and (e)
Course Structure | Credit Points |
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Core Units | 54 cps |
One Approved Pathway | 18 cps |
Total | 72 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
For candidates admitted under Rule (b)
Course Structure | Credit Points |
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Specified Advanced Standing | 36 or 48 cps |
Core Units | 24 cps |
Optional: One Approved Pathway | 0 or 12 cps |
Total | 72 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
For candidates admitted under Rule (c)
Course Structure | Credit Points |
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Specified Advanced Standing | 36 or 48 cps |
Core Units | 24 cps |
Optional: One Approved Pathway | 0 or 12 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), (d) and (e) and who apply to discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Graduate Diploma in Counselling upon completion of 30 credit points comprising units HSCS435, HSCS452, HSCS533, HSCS536 and HSCS538; and 18 credit points from HSCS441:12, HSCS472, HSCS474, HSCS478.
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:
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Graduate Attributes |
Knowledge of a DisciplineStudents will acquire advanced knowledge, experience and critical understanding of the professional practice and scholarship of this discipline from a culturally sensitive, global perspective. Communication SkillsStudents 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 SolvingStudents 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 LiteracyStudents 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 ResponsibilityStudents 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 LearningStudents 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 CollaborationStudents 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).
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