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Master of Counselling (SCM401.1)
Please note these are the 2024 details for this course
| Selection rank | Delivery mode | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| PG | Online Plus |
UC - Canberra, Online |
2.0 years |
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Available teaching periods | UAC code |
| Faculty of Health | Discipline of Counselling |
View teaching periods | |
| Fees | English language requirements | AQF level | |
|
|
View requirements | 9 | |
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Delivery mode
Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
Online: All units are online.
Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.
Location
All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.
Selection rank
The selection rank is the minimum ATAR plus adjustment factors required for admission to the program in the previous year. This is an indicative guide only as ranks change each year depending on demand.
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Students enrolled in a Commonwealth Support Place (CSP) are required to make a contribution towards the cost of their education, which is set by the Commonwealth Government. Information on Commonwealth Supported Places, HECS-HELP and how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
AQF Level
91Porn qualifications are recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
- Level 5 - Diploma
- Level 6 - Associate Degree
- Level 7 - Bachelor Degree
- Level 8 - Bachelor Honours Degree OR Graduate Certificate OR Graduate Diploma
- Level 9 - Masters Degree
- Level 10 - Doctoral Degree
| Academic entry requirements | Delivery mode | Location | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2.0 years | |||
| Faculty | Discipline(s) | Available teaching periods | CRICOS code |
| Faculty of Health | Discipline of Counselling |
View teaching periods | |
| Fees | English language requirements | AQF level | |
|
|
View requirements | 9 | |
Fees disclaimer
Annual fee rates
The fees shown are the annual fee rates for the course. The annual rate is the fee that applies to standard full-time enrolment, which is 24 credit points. The final fee charged is based on the proportion of 24 credit points in which a student enrols. Information on how fees are calculated can be found here.
Please note: Course fees are assessed annually and are subject to change.
Delivery mode
Blended: Mixture of online and on campus units are available.
On campus: Units are delivered on campus.
Online: All units are online.
Online Plus: Units are available online, except where attendance at a physical location is required for placement or professional accreditation.
English language requirements
There are non-standard English language requirements for this course. To be eligible you must have an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0. For alternate/equivalent ways of meeting the English requirements for this course please view the English Proficiency Requirements document on the university website.
Location
All course material is developed and delivered via the location listed. Online units do not require on campus attendance.
Academic entry requirements
To study at UC, you’ll need to meet our academic entry requirements and any admission requirements specific to your course. Please read your course admission requirements below. To find out whether you meet UC’s academic entry requirements, visit our academic entry requirements page.
AQF level
91Porn qualifications are recognised under the Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF).
- Level 5 - Diploma
- Level 6 - Associate Degree
- Level 7 - Bachelor Degree
- Level 8 - Bachelor Honours Degree OR Graduate Certificate OR Graduate Diploma
- Level 9 - Masters Degree
- Level 10 - Doctoral Degree
The Master of Counselling provides advanced training in counselling, as well as a pathway to registration with the Australian Counselling Association – the nation’s professional accreditation body for counsellors and psychotherapists. The course places an emphasis on skills development, interactive teaching, experiential learning and self-awareness, supporting the student to:
- Develop skills in critical thinking, communication, problem solving, and advanced approaches to working with clients.
- Access experiential, collaborative and holistic approaches to learning, enabling the development of in-depth practical knowledge and skills, self-awareness and reflexivity.
- Work with diverse range of clients, respecting the importance of social and cultural contexts.
- Access the most recent and relevant academic conventions and materials to complete a research project.
- Students will undertake counselling placements within an appropriate agency, while being guided by qualified clinical supervisors and learning from peers.
This course includes a compulsory placement of 200 hours. Students will be expected to travel up to 1.5 hours to attend a placement, or in the case of regional and remote students, may need to travel further or potentially relocate for the duration of the placement if one cannot be secured in their area. In addition to the placement requirements, students will be required to attend a 5-day intensive workshop in person. The location of this is to be determined, with an on-campus site being certain.
The Master of Counselling is currently not eligible for Austudy assistance through Centrelink. Please visit this website for further information:
Online with Expert Placement Support
Whether helping others cope with crisis, put challenges into perspective or find a life worth living, guide the way and practise respectful and inclusive counselling. The Master of Counselling consists of research-led content that is delivered via supported and interactive teaching, while allowing students to undertake experiential learning. Students will work closely with clinical supervisors while undertaking placement units. Click through to download our course brochure to learn more about our online Master of Counselling.
Professional accreditation
The course is recognised as a professional qualification in counselling and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), in line with their Professional Training Standards.
Admission to this course is competitive. Applications will be assessed on the basis of academic merit, work experience and the number of available places.
Applicants must:
1. have an undergraduate or postgraduate degree in any discipline.
No Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) will be offered for any units included in this course.
We recommend that students progressing to this course from the Graduate Certificate in Counselling (SCC401) complete the four Graduate Certificate units before progressing to the Graduate Diploma or Master to ensure a smooth enrolment transition.
Additional admission requirements
Students are required to undergo a National Police check and relevant state-based checks (i.e. Working with Vulnerable People Check, Working With Children Check) as required by each placement agency in order to be accepted for each unit that includes a placement.
Assumed knowledge
None.
Periods course is open for new admissions
| Year | Location | Teaching period | Teaching start date | Domestic | International |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 1 | 15 January 2024 | ||
| 2024 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 2 | 11 March 2024 | ||
| 2024 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 3 | 06 May 2024 | ||
| 2024 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 4 | 01 July 2024 | ||
| 2024 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 5 | 26 August 2024 | ||
| 2024 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 6 | 21 October 2024 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 1 | 20 January 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 2 | 17 March 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 3 | 12 May 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 4 | 07 July 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 5 | 01 September 2025 | ||
| 2025 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 6 | 27 October 2025 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 1 | 19 January 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 2 | 16 March 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 3 | 11 May 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 4 | 06 July 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 5 | 31 August 2026 | ||
| 2026 | UC - Canberra, Online | Study Block 6 | 26 October 2026 |
Credit arrangements
A credit transfer arrangement is available for this course for the following institutions:
University Of Canberra
Master of Counselling (SCM401) | 36 credit points
- From 2023, unit 11988 Professional Placement (Part A) PG replaces unit 11746 Placements A - Putting it all into Practice PG
- From 2023, unit 11989 Professional Placement (Part B) PG replaces unit 11747 Placements B - Masters Practicum PG
- Unit 11747 Placement B Masters Practicum PG will only be available for students who completed SCG401 Graduate Diploma in Counselling including unit 11746 Placement A Putting it all into Practice PG
In addition to course requirements, in order to successfully complete your course you must meet the inherent requirements. Please refer to the inherent requirements statement applicable to your course
Course duration
The standard duration for this course is two years (12 Study Blocks). The maximum duration is five years.
Learning outcomes
| Learning outcomes | Related graduate attributes |
|---|---|
| Communicate relevant professional knowledge effectively and respectfully to a variety of audiences and in different formats. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Demonstrate ethical awareness and professional conduct in the context of the counselling profession and its obligations to diversity, communities and society. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; and adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Demonstrate advanced collaborative and leadership skills. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. |
| Demonstrate and incorporate reflective practice in personal and professional development. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. |
| Demonstrate and justify the selection of integrated and advanced discipline specific theoretical knowledge and skill-based practice. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; work collaboratively as part of a team, negotiate, and resolve conflict; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; adopt an informed and balanced approach across professional and international boundaries; understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; be self-aware; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; communicate and engage with Indigenous Australians in ethical and culturally respectful ways; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Synthesise literature in and across relevant fields to inform professional practice and support pathways to further learning. | UC graduates are professional: Employ up-to-date and relevant knowledge and skills; communicate effectively; use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems; display initiative and drive, and use their organisational skills to plan and manage their workload; and take pride in their professional and personal integrity. UC graduates are global citizens: Understand issues in their profession from the perspective of other cultures; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and behave ethically and sustainably in their professional and personal lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Reflect on their own practice, updating and adapting their knowledge and skills for continual professional and academic development; adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. UC graduates are able to demonstrate Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander ways of knowing, being and doing: Use local Indigenous histories and traditional ecological knowledge to develop and augment understanding of their discipline; and apply their knowledge to working with Indigenous Australians in socially just ways. |
| Build on integrated technology literacies and capacities in professional practice. | UC graduates are professional: Use creativity, critical thinking, analysis and research skills to solve theoretical and real-world problems. UC graduates are global citizens: Think globally about issues in their profession; communicate effectively in diverse cultural and social settings; and make creative use of technology in their learning and professional lives. UC graduates are lifelong learners: Adapt to complexity, ambiguity and change by being flexible and keen to engage with new ideas; and evaluate and adopt new technology. |
Placements requirements
This course includes a compulsory placement of 200 hours. Students will be expected to travel up to 1.5 hours to attend a placement, or in the case of regional and remote students, may need to travel further or potentially relocate for the duration of the placement if one cannot be secured in their area. In addition to the placement requirements, students will be required to attend a 5-day intensive workshop in person. The location of this is to be determined, with an on-campus site being certain.
Awards
| Award | Official abbreviation |
|---|---|
| Master of Counselling | M Couns |
Alternative exits
SCC401 Graduate Certificate in Counselling and SCG401 Graduate Diploma in Counselling. For details see the individual course entries.
Enrolment data
2023 enrolments for this course by location. Please note that enrolment numbers are indicative only and in no way reflect individual class sizes.
| Location | Enrolments |
|---|---|
| UC - Canberra, Online | 692 |
Enquiries
| Student category | Contact details |
|---|---|
| Prospective Students | Email: study@canberra.edu.au or Phone: 1800 UNI CAN (1800 864 226) |
| Current and Commencing Students | Email: Health.Student@canberra.edu.au |
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