Master of Counselling Social Work

What you will study

Students must complete 48 UOC when taken as a standalone program. Students are required to complete six courses (48 units of credit) over two years.

Core units

Students must take 36 UOC of the following courses:

• Selected Practice Frameworks (12 credit points)
• Research Issues in Counselling Social Work
• Counselling Practice
• Therapeutic Contexts and Relationships
• Family Inclusive Practice

Capstone

Students must take 12 UOC of the following courses:

• Professional Practice Research Project
• Complex Practice Issues (12 credit points)

Entry requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

The admission requirements for the new Master of Counselling Social Work are as follows:

• A UNSW Bachelor of Social Work (Hons) degree or equivalent qualification 
• Eligibility for membership of the Australian Association of Social Workers (AASW).
• At least two years of counselling, case management or other direct social work practice experience.
• Current employment in an organisational context where prospective students provide counselling, case management or other direct social work practice with clients. This is in contrast to social workers who work primarily in administrative, policy or management roles. 

Admission is subject to quota. Applications must include a brief curriculum vitae detailing relevant information about the entry requirements.

Eligibility of the AASW ensures that students are professional social workers who are committed to the values and ethics of the profession and have had prior education in social work practice methods, including counselling. The AASW also expects social workers to participate in professional development activities (of up to 30 hours per year) and to receive professional supervision. The MCSW facilitates learning in the counselling frameworks that support Accredited Mental Health Social Work status with the AASW.

These criteria ensure that applicants meet Level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) and have the skills and knowledge to be capable of reaching the specified Learning Outcomes within the volume of learning of a 48 UOC Master's program.

English language requirements

You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW, depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations. This is why UNSW requires a minimum level of English language competency for enrolment.

If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.

If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:

• English language tests and university English courses
• Prior study in the medium of English
• Other qualifications

If you need to improve your English skills before you start your degree, UNSW College’s Academic English Programs are for you. The programs are suitable for various English levels and help you prepare for university studies and life in Australia.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you are seeking credit transfer, you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrollment. Faculty will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Master's degree is 18 UOC (equivalent to three courses).

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

• Critically apply counselling frameworks and theories to diverse social work practices and contexts.
• Apply research methodologies and evidence-informed practices relevant to counselling and social work.
• Employ advanced self-reflexive research and written and oral communication practices.
• Engage with a broad spectrum of social and cultural diversity in local and global social work counselling contexts.
• Make use of high-level critical, ethical and reflective practice skills and knowledge in counselling social work.
• Demonstrate the use of self, both flexibly and professionally, in therapeutic work with clients.

Career outcomes

• Specialist counselling positions in health, mental health and community services
• Clinical supervision
• Private counselling practice
• Training and management roles

Fees and CSP

Indicative first-year full fee in 2025: $31,500 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative first-year full fee in 2025: $17,000 (commonwealth supported places)

Indicative fees are a guide only and have been calculated based on the typical enrolment patterns of students undertaking the program. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year of enrolment, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than one equivalent full-time student load (48 UOC per year).

A student’s annual fee may vary in accordance with:

• 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.