University of Southern Queensland
Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Specifically designed for applicants who are already registered professionals in counselling or other allied mental health disciplines.
Course overview
Progress your counselling practice and choose subjects that suit your career goals or allow you to expand and grow your current knowledge. The Advanced Entry specialisation will enable you to diversify your expertise and develop your research skills. Upskill in couple and family counselling, child and youth counselling, mental health practice and trauma-focused practice. This specialisation provides you with the opportunity to undertake a substantial research project or choose to do a smaller capstone project to further your research skills.
The Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry) program includes some practical elements on campus, depending on the courses you enrol in.
Further study
Graduates who have completed a research project within this degree may be eligible to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Professional accreditation
The Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry) is recognised by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) as meeting their bridging requirements to meet Level 3 membership under certain conditions. These include, if the graduate is a Level 2 ACA Member; or if the graduate is not a current member but has an ACA-accredited bachelor qualification; or if the graduate is not a current member but holds an ACA-accredited graduate diploma and has evidence of one year’s post-qualification supervised practice and a post-qualification minimum of 50 hours of supervision.
Key facts
14th September, 2026
What you will study
Students must take 16 units to complete this degree, comprising:
- One unit of core course
- 15 units from Research Project Pathway or Research Capstone Project Pathway
Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth one unit.
- Research for Critical Social Work Practice
Entry requirements
Current evidence of full membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Australian Psychological Society, Australian Counselling Association, Australian Association of Social Workers or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
English language requirements
You must meet the applicable English language requirements. This degree requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This will help reduce the number of courses you must take to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply a core body of knowledge, including contemporary theories and models central to counselling assessment, client-centred therapy and clinical supervision that is both trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.
- Effectively utilise a range of advanced interpersonal, written, oral and digital literacy skills that are appropriate from a decolonising perspective when communicating with culturally diverse audiences, including clients and professionals, utilising person-first language.
- Apply critical reasoning, reflective practice and professional and ethical judgement with initiative to identify and resolve a range of therapeutic, professional, legal and ethical practice issues.
- Consolidate theory and evidence-based practice within a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, integrative framework to effectively provide counselling within diverse cultural and practice contexts and client groups.
- Critically evaluate relevant research literature and methodologies to inform practice development by applying research findings. Identify gaps in the literature to conduct further research that advances counselling knowledge.
Career outcomes
The Advanced Entry pathway allows health professionals to develop or expand their counselling expertise in specialty areas of their choosing and may provide an opportunity to progress into doctoral studies.
This specialisation does not lead to counselling registration.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $29,760 (domestic full-fee paying place)
All costs are calculated using current rates and are based on a study load of eight units (normally eight courses) per year.
Student annual fees may vary in accordance with:
- 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 with the cost of a university program.
