Queensland University of Technology
Master of Education (School Guidance and Counselling)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 18 months
Gain the knowledge, skills and required qualifications to become Guidance Officers or Guidance Counsellors in schools from Prep to Year 12.
Course overview
Highlights
- Ideal for current teachers seeking a qualification in school guidance and counselling.
- Leads to employment in a school setting from Prep to Year 12.
- Equips graduates to lead a school's comprehensive student support and well-being agenda.
Why choose this course?
The Master of Education (School Guidance and Counselling) is designed for someone who needs to work full-time and study part-time. The course considers a working teacher's schedule and plans around that. For example, lectures happen after school hours rather than in the middle of the day, which I've really appreciated to help me balance work and study.
This course introduces core counselling techniques and communication skills for effective helping strategies in various professions. It aims to enhance self-awareness and awareness of others’ needs, enabling clients to problem-solve and achieve their goals. Additionally, you will learn psychoeducational assessment techniques used by Guidance Officers and School Counsellors, including observation, interviewing and formal testing for learners with difficulties.
You will also explore lifelong learning within career contexts, developing skills to lead career development programs. You will learn through theoretical career programs that will prepare you to create innovative, flexible programs. Further, throughout this course, you will get an introduction to social research and how to use findings within professional settings. You will learn about major counselling theories applicable in schools, helping to develop a model based on these theories for future practice and preparing you for professional experience in school guidance and counselling across various educational settings.
Flexible delivery
You may study the course full-time or part-time. You can study on campus, online or select a blended approach to suit you. QUT provides a variety of online learning environments to enable you to participate fully, receive expert guidance and support and be in regular contact with expert teaching staff. This course includes a practicum unit to provide the opportunity for you to apply your learning under the supervision of guidance practitioners in schools.
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
July, 2026
What you will study
To graduate with a Master of Education (School Guidance and Counselling), students must complete 144 credit points, equivalent to 12 units. Each unit is worth 12 credit points.
Complete the following units:
- Foundations of Educational Counselling
- Inclusion and Diversity in School Counselling
- Leading Career Development
- Psychoeducational Assessment
- School Guidance and Counselling Practicum
- School Counselling Leadership
- Career Counselling and Professional Practice
- Personal School Counselling Approaches
Entry requirements
1.5-year program entry requirements
- You must hold current Australian teacher registration and have a completed recognised bachelor's degree (or higher qualification) in teaching or education.
One-year program entry requirements
You must have current Australian teacher registration plus one of the following completed recognised:
- Bachelor's honours degree in teaching or education; or
- Bachelor's degree in any discipline plus a graduate certificate in teaching or education; or
- Graduate diploma (or higher qualification) in teaching or education; or
- Bachelor's degree in teaching or education, followed by at least two years full-time (or equivalent) work experience in teaching or education; or
- QUT Graduate Certificate in Education.
If you qualify for the one-year program, you will be automatically granted 48 credit points of general advanced standing towards the option units. This will be confirmed in your offer letter.
Recognition of Prior Learning
You may be able to have your past studies or work experience count as credit towards your QUT course. QUT call this ‘advanced standing’. That means you might not have to complete all the units in your course structure. You may be able to graduate sooner. Exemptions are assessed individually. Talk to QUT's Course Consultant for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Guidance Officers or Guidance Counsellors provide specialised services to school communities. They lead and implement a comprehensive student support and wellbeing agenda within schools by working with students, school personnel, families, child/adolescent support specialists and organisations. Their work can include:
- Counselling for educational, behavioural, vocational, personal, social, family and mental health and wellbeing issues.
- Psychoeducational assessment.
- Leading verification and education adjustment processes to support students with identified impairments.
- Career development and advice for students.
- Student case management.
- Leadership and support in responding to complex and challenging circumstances, including student protection matters, critical incidents, mental health issues and suicide prevention and postvention support.
Professional recognition
The Master of Education (School Guidance and Counselling) is approved by the Australian Counselling Association and graduates are eligible to join the Association.
Education Queensland, Catholic Education and Independent Schools also recognise the study area as a qualification for guidance officers in Queensland schools. Please consult other states’ registering authorities if you seek employment outside Queensland.
Fees and CSP
Indicative 2026 fee: $4,700 per year full-time for 96 credit points (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Your actual fees may vary depending on which units you choose. QUT reviews fees annually. They may be subject to increases.
You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.
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'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.
