University of Queensland
Master of Counselling
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 Months
Gain in-depth knowledge and practical skills for a successful career in professional counselling. Designed for those with an approved degree in social work, psychology, human services, nursing or a related field, this program enables you to earn recognised professional counselling qualifications.
Course overview
Focus on integrative approaches to counselling and applied psychotherapy, aiming to enhance outcomes for people facing diverse challenges with respect and effectiveness.
Develop knowledge and professional counselling skills through courses informed by current research, grounded in best-practice principles and designed to prepare you to work with a wide range of clients.
In your second year, you will complete over 360 hours of supervised practical placement in government, community and private agencies. While on placement, undertake a major project that allows you to apply counselling theory and research skills in real-world settings.
Delivered in partnership with UQ’s School of Psychology, this program holds accreditation from the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
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
What you will study
To complete the Master of Counselling, a student must fulfil 32 units, consisting of:
- Interpersonal Skills in Counselling 1
- Theories of Counselling
- Counselling and Mental Health
- Understanding and Caring for Those Affected by Loss
- Advanced Interpersonal Skills
- Counselling Children and Young People
- Ethics and Professional Practice Issues in Counselling
- Family Therapy Traditions: Basic Concepts and Skills
Complete 16 units comprising:
- Counselling Field Placement
- Relationship Counselling
- Trauma Therapy: Theory and Practice
- Advancing Research Inquiry
- Counselling for Health and Capacity Challenges
- Counselling Approaches and Mental Health Practice
- Critical Appraisal of Research
- Research Methods
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need:
- A bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in a relevant discipline
- Applicants are required to submit a recorded interview (see additional application information)
Entry is competitive, with a limited intake. Applicants who identify as Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander who meet the minimum entry requirements for this program will be offered a place. On admission to the program, you will need to provide evidence of your Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander status.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
- Crisis Counsellor
- Grief Counsellor
- Drug and Alcohol Counsellor
- Relationship Counsellor
- Rehabilitation Counsellor
- Child and Youth Counsellor
- Sexual Assault Counsellor
- Student Counsellor
- Family Counsellor
- Therapeutic Counsellor
Fees and CSP
Indicative annual fee in 2026: $9,540 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
Commonwealth Supported Places
Domestic places in this program are Commonwealth-supported as long as you meet all Commonwealth supported place eligibility requirements. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government. Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth-supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
