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    Master of Counselling
    Go to University of Southern Queensland
    University of Southern Queensland

    Master of Counselling

    University of Southern Queensland

    University of Southern Queensland

    flag

    Australia, Toowoomba

    University RankQS Ranking
    399

    Key Facts

    Program Level

    Master by Course Work

    Study Type

    Full Time

    Delivery

    Mix

    Campuses

    Toowoomba

    Program Language

    English

    Start & Deadlines

    Next Intake DeadlinesMay-2025
    Apply to this program

    Go to the official application for the university

    Duration 2 year(s)
    Next Intake May-2025

    Master of Counselling

    About

  • Embark on a rewarding career to help individuals navigate challenges, improve mental health, and enhance their overall well-being. 
  • Upskill to an advanced level in various specialist counselling areas, as well as research principles and methods.
  • Tailor your study and select different specialisations depending on your experience or interests. UniSQ is one of only a few universities that allows you to specialise in your counselling masters degree.
    • The Master of Counselling (Qualifying) pathway enables you to apply for registration as a counsellor with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). You can choose to specialise in Foundation of Practice; Addiction; Child, Youth & Family Therapy; Mental Health Counselling; or Trauma-Focused Practice.
    • The Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry) is designed for registered professionals in counselling or other allied mental health disciplines who wish to extend their professional skills. Studying this pathway doesn’t require you to undertake foundational courses with residential schools, or a practicum. This pathway does not lead to registration as a counsellor. 
  • The Master of Counselling includes two research options – a Research Project option that involves completion of a full research project, or a Capstone Project option, that includes completion of a smaller piece of research. Graduates who have completed a research project within this degree may be eligible to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
  • You’ll study the main course load online and gain practical experience through on-campus residential school courses and clinical placements. For Advanced Entry students the practical experience is included only if you select to study the foundation courses.  
  • Develop your applied skills further utilising our telehealth system simulations and working with the community and alongside clinical supervisors in UniSQ's Psychology and Counselling clinics in Toowoomba and Ipswich.
  • After two years of full-time study with UniSQ, you’ll be workplace-ready and gain an additional Graduate Diploma of Counselling qualification as an embedded award in the Master of Counselling.
  • Sustainability ecology and communities
  • Community, industry and local government
  • Cultures, communities and sustainability in Asia
  • Climate change adaptation
  • Cities and sustainability
  • Environmental policy for the 21st Century
  • Project and risk management
  • Requirements

    Entry Requirements

    • Completion of an Australian Psychology Accreditation Council (APAC)-accredited masters (coursework) degree in Psychology, or have held General Registration as a Psychologist with the Psychology Board of Australia for a minimum duration of 12 months.

    In addition, applicants are also asked to submit the following for consideration as part of their application:

    • provide two referee reports1 and a 1-2 page report which addresses the selection criteria (PDF 87KB) 
    • be assessed in a face-to-face interview with a panel of School staff, including completion of the UniSQ Psychology Competency examination.
    • provide an academic transcript demonstrating strong academic performance
    • provide a CV of your work and study history. Applicants who have not completed a four-year bachelor degree or Masters (coursework) in Psychology degree within the last three years, will be required to demonstrate how they have maintained up-to-date knowledge and skills in the area of Psychology.

    1The Australian Psychology Postgraduate Reference Request system is the same across all Australian universities. To be able to use the system, you will need to have an active membership. The membership allows you access the service during the application period and will expire on 31 July of each year. The subscription is $AUD35.

    English language requirements

    You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires an overall score of  IELTS 7.0, or equivalent, and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four skills areas of listening, reading, speaking and writing. Additional requirements regarding prior education taught and assessed solely in English and prior employment - refer to the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA)'s Registration Standard for further information. 

    If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.

    Pathways

    If you don’t meet the entry requirements, don’t worry, there are pathway options available to you.

    English Program Requirements

    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

    Career

    • Graduates of this degree can work as a fully registered General Psychologist in the public and private sectors, and as a Clinical Psychologist following completion of the Clinical Psychology registrar program. 

    Fee Information

    Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

    Approximate annual costs1 for international students' first year of study (8 units) in this degree:

    Study Mode Cost
    External/Online

    You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

    AUD 30920

    1 These are indicative annual fees for 2024. 

    Student services and amenities fees

    You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

    Professional experience costs

    This degree includes a professional experience component that may involve travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

    Scholarships

    At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

    Tuition Fee

    AUD 0 

    How to Apply

    The path you take when you apply to Murdoch will vary depending on who you are and what you want to study.

    Apply directly to Murdoch

    You can apply for most undergraduate courses directly through our online application system.

    Apply through TISC

    If you're currently in Year 12 or applying for Vet Science, you can apply to Murdoch through TISC.

    Apply through an agent

    If you’re applying as an international student, our global network of agents will help you get started on your journey.

    University of Southern Queensland

    Master of Counselling

    University of Southern Queensland

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    Australia,

    Toowoomba

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