Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy specialising in Clinical Practice

What you will study

Complete 96 units for either of the following:

All of the following:

• 42 units for all Core courses.
• 36 to 48 units for Discipline courses.
• 6 to 18 units for Electives.
• 96 units for one Specialisation from Specialisation.

Core courses

• Attachment Processes in the Therapeutic Relationship
• Counselling and Psychotherapy Theories
• Counselling Skills 2
• Nature of Grief
• Mindfulness-based Counselling Applications
• Counselling Skills 1
• Ethics in the Counselling Workplace

Electives

Complete 6 to 18 units comprising:

6 to 18 units from Program electives

• Ethical Challenges in Modern Health Care
• Public Health Evaluation and Economics
• Emotion Focused Therapy
• Relationship Counselling
• Expressive Therapies: Creative Arts in Counselling
• Counselling of Children and Adolescents

Specialisation core courses

• Counselling Skills 1
• Ethics in the Counselling Workplace
• Attachment Processes in the Therapeutic Relationship
• Counselling and Psychotherapy Theories
• Counselling Skills 2
• Overview of Mental Health
• Nature of Grief
• Mindfulness-based Counselling Applications
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapy
• Narrative Approaches to Counselling
• Trauma Informed Practice (UoA)
• Counselling Placement IA
• Counselling Placement IB

Entry requirements

Admission criteria

To be eligible, an applicant must have achieved the following minimum entry requirements and demonstrate they fulfil any prerequisite and essential criteria for admission. In cases where there are more eligible applicants than available places, admission will be competitive with ranks based on the entry criteria.

• A completed bachelor (AQF level 7) degree or equivalent from a recognised higher education institution.
• Undertake the Casper Situational Judgement Test (CSJT).
• Attend an interview, if invited.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Adelaide University is committed to recognising the contribution of students’ prior learning towards their program requirements.

Credit may be granted for formal, informal and non-formal learning, with guidance on eligibility provided to prospective students in a clear, transparent and publicly available credit framework.

Credit determinations will be:

• Evidence-based, equitable and transparent.
• Academically sound.
• Applied consistently, fairly and subject to review.

Credit will be granted for prior learning that is relevant and equivalent to the learning required for the courses for which credit is sought.

Credit will only be granted if it:

• Maintains the credibility and integrity of the program for which credit is sought.
• Does not contravene the conditions of the program’s professional accreditation.
• Does not disadvantage the student’s ability to achieve the expected course or program learning outcomes.

For more information, contact the university or visit its website.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

Adelaide University’s Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, specialising in Clinical Practice, prepares you to be an ethically responsible, research-informed and clinically proficient counsellor. Customise your learning to fit your career aspirations and benefit from the guidance of academics who are also seasoned clinicians with extensive counselling and psychotherapy expertise.

Our programs feature a flexible, nested structure designed to fast-track your qualifications and help you enter the workforce more quickly. With multiple exit points available, you can make an immediate impact in your community, such as Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma holders stepping into entry-level counselling roles.

In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation with core courses in areas such as counselling skills, mindfulness-based counselling applications, grief counselling and cognitive behaviour therapy, before exploring your Clinical Practice specialisation in depth

Starting in your second year, your coursework and chosen electives will focus heavily on your Clinical Practice specialisation. You will gain essential practical experience through supervised counselling placements, spending up to two days per week working directly with clients in authentic clinical settings.

This degree is only offered in a face-to-face study mode, incorporating blended learning opportunities, with on-campus attendance required to ensure you receive the full benefit of face-to-face learning and interactions.

Career outcomes

Other careers include:

• Mental Health Worker
• Clinical Counsellor
• Clinical Psychotherapist
• School Wellbeing Team Member
• Community Services Officer.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative annual tuition fee in 2026: $35,700 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Fee-paying programs require the full tuition fees for your study, which can be deferred partly or in full to a FEE-HELP loan. The total cost of the program is displayed.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• The number of courses studied per term.
• The choice of major or specialisation.
• Choice of courses.
• Credit from previous study or work experience.
• Eligibility for government-funded loans.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students.