University of the Sunshine Coast
Master of Counselling
- Delivery: Face to Face
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Learn to provide professional counselling support through the Master of Counselling Program.
Course overview
In this program, you will:
- Immerse yourself in a holistic, integrated, evidence-based pathway to becoming a registered counsellor.
- Acquire advanced skills, theoretical knowledge and clinical experience through classroom activities, blended learning and internship placements.
- You will be exposed to advanced counselling skills and theories, counselling and mental health, counselling and addictions, counselling children and young people, mindfulness-based interventions, expressive therapy and solution-focused brief therapy.
- Learn the art of assessment and case conceptualisation.
- Build a strong ethical framework for practice.
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 earn the Master of Counselling award, students must complete 16 units or 192 credit points.
Core units
- Expressive Therapies: Counselling with the Creative Arts
- Advanced Counselling Skills 1: Interpersonal Processes
- Professional Development 1: Clinical Practice
- Internship 1
- Internship 2
- Professional Development 2: Grief, Loss and Trauma
- Counselling Children and Young People
- Counselling and Mental Health
- Counselling and Addictions
- Solution-Focused Therapeutic Approaches
- Ethics and Reflective Practice
- Mindfulness-Based Interventions and Group Work
- Research Project A
- Research Project B
- Pluralistic Couple and Family Counselling
- Advanced Social Research
Entry requirements
A student entering the Master of Counselling program will typically be required to hold an approved 3-year degree in Counselling (AQF Level 7) or a Bachelor's Degree (AQF Level 7) in other cognate areas as approved by the university.
The Head of School, Social Sciences, may consider entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience on a case-by-case basis.
Applicants are required to complete an additional personal statement and attend an interview (refer to the application form). Interviews for international students on student visas will be conducted via Skype.
Before commencement, applicants must hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card) issued by the Public Safety Business Agency.
Contact the university for more information.
Recognition of Prior Learning
Recognition of prior learning (RPL) is when your studies and/or work experience are recognised and counted towards your degree as credit. Acknowledging your prior learning as credit can:
- Save you time by reducing the number of units you need to complete
- Save you money
- Bring you closer to your career goals sooner
Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Career outcomes
Career opportunities:
- Counsellor
- Health
- Human services
- Private practice
- Researcher
Fees and CSP
Estimated total tuition fee in 2025: $10,272 (Commonwealth Supported Place)
The total tuition fee is calculated based on a total study load of 96 credit points.
A student’s annual fee may vary per:
- The number of units studied.
- Choice of courses.
- 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.
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 only need to pay some 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 course 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.
