Master of Counselling

Institution Australian Catholic University Strathfield Campus
Method On Campus
Location Strathfield
Type Masters
Course fee By request
Comments Available at the Sydney (Strathfield) Brisbane and Melbourne Campuses

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Master of Counselling

Objectives The Master of Counselling course develops advanced theoretical understandings and practical skills required by a range of professionals engaged in counselling activities. The program aims to educate effective professionals who are committed to ethical practice.
Entry requirements 1. 1. Bachelor degree with Honours with substantial studies in the appropriate field; or 2. Bachelor degree plus a Graduate Diploma in the appropriate field; or 3. a four-year Bachelor degree with substantial studies in the appropriate field eg behavioural science, social work, psychology, social science; or 4. Bachelor degree with substantial studies in the social sciences or an appropriate field plus at least three year's relevant work experience; and 2. a satisfactory interview re suitability for the course.
Academic title Master of Counselling
Course description Typically, students who enter the program are drawn from the education and health sectors, from a range of allied health and service backgrounds, or may be embarking on a career change. Applicants must satisfy requirements for a police records check and a working with children check.

The course includes core units in relationship and family counselling, grief and crisis, and mediation and conflict resolution. Electives provide flexibility to cater for the educational needs and backgrounds of students. All students must complete a supervised practicum.

Graduates are expected to:

    * have insights into the social and cultural contexts in which counselling occurs;
    * demonstrate understanding and skills in a range of approaches to counselling appropriate to        diverse needs;
    * be informed of current ethical, legal and professional issues and requirements;
    * demonstrate advanced skills in assessment, interaction, evaluation, consultation and referral;
    * contribute to the development of the profession.

Professional Recognition

The course provides a qualification in counselling in accordance with the requirements of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Depending on their professional and academic background, graduates will be eligible for membership of various member associations of PACFA.

As of January 2009 the following standards will apply to new applicants to 'member' associations:

Members must have completed a Postgraduate Equivalent Qualification, over a minimum of two years, 200 hours of person to person psychotherapy and/ or counselling training and 50 hrs of supervision relating to 200 hours of client contact. A minimum of 10 hours of supervision relating to 40 client contact hours must have taken place within the training program.

The degree may be accepted by some employers as an appropriate qualification for secondary school counsellors. Brisbane Catholic Education Office recognises the qualification for the role of school counsellor.

Career Opportunities

Depending on qualifications and experience, graduates have enhanced opportunities within their current profession, or might pursue specific Counselling roles in a range of agencies in the human services sector.

Master of Counselling
MCouns

80 cp

Minimum duration: 2 years part-time.

Course available at:
Brisbane, Queensland
Melbourne, Victoria
Sydney (Strathfield), NSW

EFTSL value of units: All 10 cp units in this course have an EFTSL value of 0.125. Units with a cp value of a multiple of 10 have corresponding EFTSL values.

1. Requirements for Completion of the Degree

To qualify for the degree, a student must complete 80 cp from the Schedule of Unit Offerings, consisting of:

   1. 50 cp from Core Units;
   2. 10 cp from the Practicum Unit;
   3. 20 cp from Electives.

2. Maximum Period of Candidature

The maximum period of candidature will be five years (part-time) from commencement of enrolment.

Schedule of Unit Offerings

Prerequisite (Pre), co-requisite (Co) and incompatible (Inc) units are indicates in parentheses where applicable.

Core Units
Unit Code     Credit Points     Unit Name
COUN601     10     Advanced Counselling Techniques
COUN616     10     Relationship and Family Counselling (Pre: COUN621 Foundations of Counselling)
COUN620     10     Grief and Loss: Issues and Approaches (Pre: COUN621 Foundations of                                              Counselling)
COUN621     10     Foundations of Counselling62
COUN622     10     Mediation and Conflict Resolution (Pre: COUN621 Foundations of Counselling)

Practicum Unit
Unit Code     Credit Points     Unit Name
COUN623     10     Practicum (Pre: COUN621 Foundations of Counselling, and COUN601 Advanced                              Counselling Techniques)

Electives
Unit Code     Credit Points     Unit Name
COUN603     10     Group Leadership Practicum
COUN617     10     Trauma Counselling and Therapy (Pre: COUN621 Foundations of Counselling)
COUN619     10     Counselling Special Study
SOCI606      10     Social and Cultural Theory
SOCI609      10     Social Theory and Social Policy
SOCI610      10     Social Justice and Advocacy
THEO657      10     Practical Theology
THEO658     10     Foundations of Social Justice
THEO682     10     Religion and Psychology

62 For students who enter the course with recognised expertise in counselling, an elective may be approved by the Course Co-ordinator in substitution for COUN621.