You are an overseas student if you are:
- a temporary resident (visa status) of Australia,
- a permanent resident (visa status) of New Zealand, or
- a resident or citizen of any other country.
Conditions of study for this course
This course is only available to overseas students not residing in Australia.
- You will not require a visa to study this course.
Overview
The Master of Counselling provides students with advanced professional skills for counselling ministry and for pastoral and spiritual formation. It nurtures the formation of a professional identity and vision suitable for individual and relational counselling. The course equips graduates to engage in supportive and intensive therapies with psychological competence and theological congruence.
Committed engagement in supervision for personal and professional integration is essential to successful completion of the course.
Course outcomes
Graduates of the Master of Counselling
- have expert counselling skills
- have knowledge and experience of supervisory leadership and management structures
- apply skills to initiate and plan counselling interventions
- apply critical self-evaluation and theological reflection to their practice of counselling
- apply professional practice in counselling with diverse people in a wide range of contexts including multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments.
Course structure
The Master of Counselling consists of 144 points comprised of one of the following programs:
1. Counselling Accreditation Program
a) DP9730S The Art of Reconciliation
b) DP9778S Human Development
c) DP9079S Critical Incident Counselling and Care
d) 24 points of Postgraduate Foundation or Elective units in the discipline of Biblical Studies or in the discipline of Systematic Theology
e) XP9076S Supervised Counselling Practice Integration (Practicum), to be taken concurrently with XP9077S
f) XP9077S Advanced Counselling Theories, Processes and Strategies, to be taken concurrently with XP9076S
2. Professional Development Program
a) 48 points of Postgraduate Elective units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies or Professional Counselling or further Capstone or Research units
b) 24 points of Postgraduate Foundation or Elective units in the discipline of Biblical Studies or in the discipline of Systematic Theology
c) XP9076S Supervised Counselling Practice Integration (Practicum), to be taken concurrently with XP9077S
d) XP9077S Advanced Counselling Theories, Processes and Strategies, to be taken concurrently with XP9076S
e) Further units at postgraduate level.
3. Research Formation Program
a) 48 points of Postgraduate Elective units in the discipline of Pastoral Theology and Ministry Studies or Professional Counselling or further Capstone or Research units
b) 24 points of Postgraduate Foundation or Elective units in the discipline of Biblical Studies or in the discipline of Systematic Theology
c) DP9034S / DP9734S Human Research Methodologies
d) RQ9748M Minor Thesis, on a topic that contributes to the course outcomes and is approved by the Academic Dean
Locations and modes
Accreditation partner
Students seeking professional accreditation may choose combinations of units that on successful completion of the award allow them to apply for advanced accreditation with professional industry bodies.
The Master of Counselling is accredited by the following partner:
Duration
The standard full-time duration of the Master of Counselling is one year. The Master of Counselling must be completed in not less one year and not more than three years from the date on which the course is commenced.
| Standard full-time | 1 year |
| Maximum part-time | 3 years |
Pathways to future study
Graduates who have completed the Research Formation Program may be eligible for admission to higher degrees by research.
Admission criteria
Successful completion of the Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Integrated Psychotherapy (Spiritual) from the Australian Institute of Family Counselling (AIFC) and satisfactory completion of an interview with a designated Coursework Coordinator.
Fee summary
The Master of Counselling requires completion of 6 standard postgraduate units. Fees for 2022 are $2,732 per standard unit or $16,392 for a full-time year (6 units).
Fees are subject to change from year to year. For more information about fees, please visit the Fees page.
