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.
Course overview
Why study the online Master of Counselling at UC?
- 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 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
July, 2025
September, 2025
October, 2025
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
To be eligible for the Master of Counselling, applicants must:
- Have an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree in any discipline;
- Fulfil non-standard English language requirements that are outlined in ‘Additional requirements’.
English language 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 this course, please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Unfortunately, due to the university's ACA alignment, they cannot offer RPL—work experience that is deemed equivalent to study. You need to learn the exact content required to attain your ACA accreditation. Having said that, credit may be granted for prior study as deemed equivalent by the University. This is determined on a case-by-case basis.
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Human diversity, inclusion and respect: Learn the factors influencing cultural diversity 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) following its 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 apply to various 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 counsellors
- Rehab counsellor
- Couples and relationship counsellors
Fees and FEE-HELP
Estimated full course fee in 2025: $40,950 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The estimated full course fee is based on a study load of 12 units.
A student’s annual fee may vary per:
- 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.
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 course.