Murdoch University
Master of Counselling
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Become a professional counsellor by integrating literature and research with practical training in a Master of Counselling program at Murdoch.
Course overview
Counsellors help people through difficult times, often when they are most vulnerable. Prepare for a career in counselling by building your personal and professional skills. With a focus on building counselling relationships with your clients, which is essential to effective practice, you’ll gain the skills you need to succeed in a rewarding career.
Apply the theoretical foundations of counselling by first appraising selected counselling literature and research, before undertaking extensive practical training. In your second year, you can complete a substantial research project addressing counselling theory or practice or choose to complete the course through coursework and case studies.
You’ll complete two supervised placements, allowing you to develop skills in assessment, individual and group treatment, working with children and adult clients, working with other professionals and within the supervisory relationship.
CSP Subsidised Fees Available
This program has a limited quota of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP). The indicative CSP price is calculated based on first year fees for EFT. The actual fee may vary if there are choices in electives or majors.
Key facts
From $2,075 (CSP)
What you will study
To complete the Master of Counselling, you are required to fulfil 48 credit points.
- Principles of Counselling 1 (6 credit points)
- Principles of Counselling 2
- Counselling Children and Adolescents
- Counselling Adults
- Experiential Learning in Group Counselling
- Counselling Placement and Supervision Group 1 (6 credit points)
- Case Conceptualisation and Assessment in Counselling
- Counselling Placement and Supervision Group 2 (6 credit points)
- Applied Health Research Methods: From Research to Practice
- Introduction to Creative Arts Therapies in Counselling
Specified Electives
- Counselling Research Project (nine credit points)
- Trauma Counselling
OR
- Counselling Research Project
Entry requirements
Completion of the Murdoch University Graduate Diploma in Counselling or Comparable programs from other institutions (e.g., a Graduate Diploma in Counselling) may be eligible following the academic chair's assessment of previous course content. Applicants from institutions other than Murdoch will also need to provide: academic records, a certificate of marks, a reference of suitability from their last institution and unit guides for the assessment of content and learning outcomes of nominated units. The selection process for all applicants includes the submission of a personal statement detailing past accomplishments, plans and interests in completing the Master of Counselling, a curriculum vitae and an Interview. A maximum of 24 credit points of recognised prior learning may be granted to those applicants who have completed equivalent coursework. If the recognised prior learning is equivalent to 12 credit points or less, an amended offer for the Graduate Diploma in Counselling may be made. The Academic Chair will assess applications and suitable applicants will be offered an interview.
English Requirements
To study at Murdoch, you must meet a minimum standard in English, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student or through English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.
Other Requirements
Students undertaking clinical placements in CSL 679 and CSL 621 must obtain a current police clearance and a working with children check and be up to date on certain immunisations per Murdoch University’s immunisation policy.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Coached Practice in Small Groups
- Counselling Adults
- Counselling Children and Adolescents
- Trauma Counselling
- Introduction to Creative Arts Therapies
Career outcomes
When you graduate, you may be employed in government and non-government counselling organisations working with adults, children, families and couples. This course will also prepare you for employment in settings requiring individual and group therapy competence. Careers could include:
- Counsellor
- Psychotherapist
- Caseworker
- Support Worker
- Mental Health Professional
Fees and CSP
Indicative 2026 full course fee: $33,207 (Commonwealth Supported Place).
Indicative 2026 full course fee: $49,440 (domestic full-fee paying place).
All costs are calculated using current rates based on a full-time study load of 48 credit points.
A student’s annual fee may vary by:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of units.
- Credit from previous study or work experience.
- Eligibility for government-funded loans.
Student fees shown are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm.
Commonwealth Supported Places
The Australian Government allocates a certain number of CSPs to the universities each year, which are then distributed to students based on merit.
If you're a Commonwealth Supported Student (CSS), you only need to pay some of your tuition fees. The student contribution amount is 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 courses you're enrolled in.
- Dependent 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.
