Master of Counselling

What you will study

To attain the Master of Counselling, students will be required to complete 192 credit points of core studies.

Year one

• Foundations of Counselling
• Counselling Theories and Interventions
• Counselling across the Lifespan
• Foundations of Child and Adolescent Counselling
• Ethics and Professional Practice for Counsellors
• Supervision and Reflection Practice for Counsellors
• Evaluation and Research for Counselling Interventions
• Working with Diversity in Counselling

Year two

• Working with Systems in Counselling
• Professional Counselling Project A
• Practicum 3
• Advanced Counselling Interventions
• Trauma-informed Counselling
• Counselling for Addictions
• Practicum 4
• Professional Counselling Project B

Entry requirements

To be considered for postgraduate study, you will need to have specific academic qualifications, as outlined below. Victoria University also considers non-academic research and work experience for research candidates.

Admission criteria

Applicants must have the following:

• Completion of an Australian Bachelor's degree (or equivalent) in any discipline; OR
• Completion of an Australian Graduate Diploma (or equivalent) in a similar discipline; AND
• Suitability for the profession of counselling as determined at an interview.

Special entry programs

If you are from a disadvantaged or underrepresented social, economic or cultural background, you may be eligible for one of the university's special admission programs. These programs are designed to help you access education more easily.

Recognition of Prior Learning

If you have completed a study with another university or institution, you may be eligible to receive credit for skills and past study.

Units can be credited if they are part of the course structure for the course you are applying for. Please note that credits relating to prior VU subjects are automatically granted and no further action is required.

For more information, contact the university or visit its website.

Outcomes

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

• Critically review counselling theories and contemporary professional literature to apply evidence-based practice to counselling interventions.
• Investigate cultural and systemic elements relevant to counselling practice, including inter-professional relations.
• Appraise psychological theories and therapeutic approaches offered by helping professionals in relation to the role of the counsellor.
• Formulate evidence-based intervention plans for a range of counselling presentations addressing psychosocial issues.
• Conduct a professional project by applying evaluation and research principles applicable to the counselling field.
• Critically evaluate core ethical and professional conduct issues that are likely to be encountered by practising counsellors.
• Demonstrate appropriate and responsive counselling practice in a professional workplace setting.

Career outcomes

This course leads to careers in:

• Counselling
• Family Support
• Multicultural Services
• Community Work
• School Counselling
• Welfare Services
• Palliative Care
• Refugee Services
• Youth Work

Please note: this is not a psychology course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society.

Fees and FEE-HELP

Indicative fee per unit in 2026: $3,625 (domestic full-fee paying place)

Indicative full fee in 2026: $29,000 per year (domestic full-fee paying place)

Full-fee courses are not government subsidised. You will pay the total cost of each unit.

A student’s fee may vary depending on:

• 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.

You may also need to pay the student services and amenities fee.

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.