University of Southern Queensland
Master of Counselling (Mental Health Practice)
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
Gain a comprehensive understanding of the context of mental health practice and study the theories, legislation, policies and standards that underpin mental health practice in Australia.
Course overview
- Specialise in supporting people with mental health conditions. Develop your expertise in topics including mental health paradigms, psychological disorders, their aetiology, evidence-based treatment approaches and assessment models.
- This is a qualifying specialisation; students from a non-counselling background can study for this postgraduate counselling degree. Graduates of this specialisation meet the educational requirements for entry into the counselling profession.
- This degree provides you with the opportunity to undertake a substantial research project or choose to do a smaller capstone project to further your research skills.
- Most Master of Counselling courses are online, allowing greater flexibility to fit study into one's life.
- To enhance your practice, you’ll attend mandatory residential schools at UniSQ Ipswich campus to meet the required hours of face-to-face instruction.
- Develop your applied skills further by utilising the university's telehealth system simulations, working with the community and alongside clinical supervisors in UniSQ's Psychology and Counselling clinics in Toowoomba and Ipswich.
Further study
Graduates who have completed a research project within this degree may be eligible to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Professional accreditation
The Master of Counselling (Qualifying) is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), which enables registration as a Counsellor with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).
Key facts
What you will study
Students must take 16 units to complete this degree. Unless otherwise indicated, each course is worth one unit.
- Counselling Skills and Applications
- Professional Counselling Practice, Identity and Ethics
- Presenting Issues and Mental Health
- Counselling Frameworks
- Counselling and Diversity Across the Lifespan
- Group Counselling and Other Settings
- Research Design and Methodologies
- Masters Counselling Practicum (2 units)
Entry requirements
- Completion of an Australian university three-year bachelor's degree or equivalent, in any area.
- Completion of at least 50% of the Graduate Diploma of Counselling at UniSQ or equivalent qualification from another institution and have a grade point average (GPA) of four or higher for the Capstone Project research option and a GPA of five or higher for the Research Project option.
- Participate in group reflection with members of the School staff and other applicants.
- Provide a report addressing the following selection criteria (informed by the PACFA Training Standards and UniSQ’s inherent requirements). Write a statement of no more than 2 pages that addresses:
- Studying for (or holding) a Graduate Diploma of Counselling (UniSQ) with evidence of GPA.
- Applicants not currently enrolled in a UniSQ Graduate Diploma of Counselling must supply names and contact details of two referees (preferably including a professional report from an academic, a counsellor, a psychologist, a social worker or similar professional).
- Effective relationship skills, attitudes and behaviours.
- Demonstrated life maturity.
- Openness to receiving, considering and integrating feedback.
- Commitment to ethical, professional and trustworthy behaviour.
- Commitment to engage fully in the process of counselling training.
- Willingness to attend a group reflection with school staff members and other applicants.
English language requirements
You must meet the applicable English language requirements. This degree requires a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.
Recognition of Prior Learning
If you have previously studied or have relevant work experience, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning. This will help reduce the number of courses you must take to finish your program. Contact the university for more information.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
Upon completion of this program, graduates will be able to:
- Apply a core body of knowledge, including contemporary theories and models central to counselling assessment, client-centred therapy and clinical supervision that is both trauma-informed and culturally sensitive.
- Effectively utilise a range of advanced interpersonal, written, oral and digital literacy skills that are appropriate from a decolonising perspective when communicating with culturally diverse audiences, including clients and professionals, utilising person-first language.
- Apply critical reasoning, reflective practice and professional and ethical judgement with initiative to identify and resolve a range of therapeutic, professional, legal and ethical practice issues.
- Consolidate theory and evidence-based practice within a trauma-informed, culturally sensitive, integrative framework to effectively provide counselling within diverse cultural and practice contexts and client groups.
- Critically evaluate relevant research literature and methodologies to inform practice development by applying research findings. Identify gaps in the literature to conduct further research that advances counselling knowledge.
Career outcomes
Career opportunities exist in various counselling and human services roles within government, non-government and private organisations. Graduates may also become self-employed in private practice or progress into doctoral studies.
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative annual fee in 2025: $28,320 (domestic full-fee paying place)
The indicative annual fee is based on a study load of eight units.
A student’s annual fee may vary per:
- The number of courses 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.
FEE-HELP loans are available to assist eligible full-fee-paying domestic students with the cost of a university course.
