University of Canberra

Master of Counselling

  • Delivery: Online
  • Commitment: 15 - 20 hours/week
  • Study Level: Postgraduate
  • Duration: 24 months

Online and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), this course consists of research-led content that is delivered via supported and interactive teaching, while allowing you to undertake experiential learning.

Download a course guide

Find more detailed information on our courses, including:

  • Course structure
  • Learning outcomes
  • Fees
  • Entry requirements

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Course overview

  • Job ready skills, relevant to industry
    Extend and enhance practical skills that are identified by industry experts as key to meeting the complex needs of individuals and communities.

  • Dedicated student support
    Be supported by a learning community of students and academics.

  • Expert placement support
    Have the opportunity to undertake placements at an approved counselling agency.

Course highlights

  • Be supported by a dedicated Student Success Advisor
  • Online and accelerated
  • Apply knowledge and skills immediately
  • Develop industry-relevant skills
  • Start anytime – intakes are open every two months

Whether helping others cope with crisis, put challenges into perspective or find a life worth living, guide the way and practise respectful and inclusive counselling. The Master of Counselling consists of research-led content that is delivered via supported and interactive teaching while allowing students to undertake experiential learning. Students will work closely with clinical supervisors while undertaking placement units.

Key facts

Delivery
Online
Study level
Postgraduate
Course type
Master's
Duration
24 months (Part time)
Commitment
15 - 20 hours/week
Units
12
Fees
FEE-HELP
Price per unit
$3,313
Intake
January, 2024
March, 2024
May, 2024
July, 2024
August, 2024
October, 2024

What you will study

The Master of Counselling comprises 12 units. It also includes two nested qualifications - the Graduate Certificate in Counselling and Graduate Diploma in Counselling. The graduate certificate and the graduate diploma are both entry and exit points for the course.

The Master of Counselling has 10 core units and two placement units.

  • Counselling Theory and Approaches
  • Core Counselling Skills
  • Principles of Ethical Conduct in Counselling
  • Diversity Inclusion Respect
  • Introduction to Placement and Supervision
  • Counselling Skills in Practice
  • Loss, Grief and Trauma in Counselling
  • Placement A - Putting It All into Practice
  • Placement B - Masters Practicum
  • Understanding Mental Health
  • Next Level Counselling Skills
  • Creative Practices in Counselling

Entry requirements

General admission requirements

To be eligible for the Master of Counselling, applicants must:

  • have an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree in any discipline
  • provide a CV that demonstrates helping experience (paid/voluntary)
  • fulfil non-standard English language requirements that are outlined in ‘Additional requirements’.

Additional requirements

There are non-standard English language requirements for this course.

To be eligible, you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0.

For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for the course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.

Learning outcomes

  • Human diversity, inclusion and respect
    Learn the factors that influence cultural diversity to be able to provide respectful counselling support to individuals across Australia.

  • ACA accredited
    The course is recognised as a professional qualification in counselling and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), in line with their Professional Training Standards.

  • Supported experiential practice
    Students will have opportunities to use the skills acquired in the course in practical settings, with supervision from clinical experts and support from peers.

Career outcomes

Students of the Master of Counselling develop counselling skills that are applicable to a wide variety of organisations and counselling teams. The career outcomes include, but are not limited to:

  • Private practice counsellor
  • Therapeutic case worker
  • Financial counsellor
  • Youth work
  • Community worker
  • Family counsellor
  • Child and adolescent counsellor
  • Rehab counsellor
  • Couples and relationship counsellor

Fees & FEE-HELP

Fees shown are subject to change. You may also be required to pay student amenities fees. Contact the university directly to confirm.

The fees shown are per unit. The number of units are listed below fees. Together they indicate the total fees for the course.

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