Master of Counselling (Behavioural Health)

What you will study

You must complete 16 core topics (72 units)

Year 1

Core

First Half

• Fundamental Counselling Skills
• Fundamentals of Clinical Practice
• Theories of Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Brief Interventions and Counselling Approaches

Second Half

• Advanced Therapeutic Approaches to Counselling
• Clinical Practicum 1: Applications of Counselling Practice (9 units)
• Trauma-Informed Knowledge and Practice in Counselling

Year 2

Core units

• Clinical Practicum 2: Extended Applications of Counselling Practice
• Group Work Theory and Practice
• Research Skills in Clinical Education - Evidence Synthesis
• Approaches to Counselling Across The Lifespan
• Motivational Interviewing
• Relationships and Sexual Health Counselling

Options

Select 4.5 units from the following:

• Psychological Dimensions of Ageing
• Disability Theory and Practice
• Inclusion, Belonging and Participation
• Health and Aged Care Systems and Policy
• Cognitive Behavioural Approaches to Supervision
• First Nations Health and Well-Being
• Critical Perspectives on Global Health and Development
• Complexities in Work with Children and Families

Entry requirements

Admission requirements

Applicants must normally hold a degree or equivalent qualification in a health-related area, e.g. behavioural science, counselling, medicine, nursing, occupational therapy, psychology or social work, from an approved tertiary institution or hold the Graduate Diploma in Cognitive Behaviour Therapy or Graduate Diploma in Behavioural Health (Counselling) from Flinders University.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

On completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Contribute to an evolving, digitised and diverse health care nationally and internationally.
• Practice as a proficient and competent counsellor or psychotherapist using integrated and transdiagnostic therapeutic approaches.
• Implement care that recognises and respects intersectionality, difference and self-determination.
• Demonstrate the attributes and behaviours that sustain respectful and professional relationships.

Career outcomes

Graduates of this program are competent and equipped to contribute to improving mental health service delivery because of their specialised knowledge and clinical competencies in CBT. Graduates can work in private and public health care organisations and are trained to work in various primary mental health care roles. Graduates already in health professional roles are well-placed to embark on leadership positions clinically, academically and through research opportunities.

Potential occupations include:

• Counsellor
• Psychotherapist
• Health Coach / Low Intensity Practitioner (applicable to graduates of the Diploma).

Potential employers include:

• Public and Private Health Organisations
• Education Providers
• Non-government and Community Sectors
• Health Promotion Agencies
• Private Practice/self-employment

Fees and CSP

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $16,992 (Commonwealth supported)

Indicative annual fee in 2025: $28,800 (Domestic full-fee paying place)

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

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

Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP)

The Australian Government allocates certain numbers of Commonwealth Supported Places to universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.

If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you'll only need to pay a portion of your tuition fees. This is known as the student contribution amount – the balance once the government subsidy is applied. This means your costs are much lower.

Limited CSP spaces are offered to students enrolled in selected postgraduate courses.

Your student contribution amount is:

• Calculated per unit you're enrolled in.
• Depending on the study areas they relate to.
• Reviewed and adjusted each year.

HECS-HELP loans are available to CSP students to pay the student contribution amount.

FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.