Online Counselling Degree :: Accredited Universities

The Master of Counselling is an Australian Counselling Association (ACA) approved course that provides professional training in counselling to prepare graduates to work in a range of professional contexts. Emphasis is given to producing counsellors who are self-reflexive and committed to lifelong learning. This award incorporates the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care and the Graduate Certificate in Mental Health Practice. Students are expected to be working in the field during their candidature.

Entry Requirements

A candidate shall:

(a) (i) hold the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care from the University of New England; or

(ii) hold an undergraduate degree and a Graduate Diploma in Counselling from another university or Higher Education Provider, and

(b) have one year, or its equivalent, of relevant counselling or counselling-related professional practice within the last five years; and

(c) provide with their application: a curriculum vitae of not more than five pages highlighting counselling related information and supporting documentation as required by the school.

Other Fees

Overseas examination fees

Textbooks

Incidental unit costs

Notes

Mandatory intensive schools are a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements.

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The Master in Counselling is an innovative skill-based program suited to professional people with an interest in counselling. The program attracts people from a variety of professions such as human resources, health, social welfare and education.

The Master in Counselling provides a professional qualification and real-life counselling experience for people who may not be practising as psychologists or social workers.

The program aims to provide you with: advanced knowledge about major counselling approaches, training in counselling practice an understanding of ethical and professional issues relating to the counselling profession. An integral component of the program is the supervised professional placement which includes contact and non-contact hours.

You will spend the equivalent of 35 days undertaking professional placement. You normally start your placement in second semester, although you may choose to begin your non-contact hours in first semester. Non-contact hours includes any duty associated with the placement centre that is not counselling. Examples include: administrative duties, observation of groups or activities, writing case notes, research into a particular case or attending meetings. Contact hours include client counselling or discussions about clients with colleagues involved in counselling those clients. Placements offer valuable professional experience and the opportunity for students to establish contacts in the field of counselling psychology.

Entry Requirements

An approved three-year bachelors degree with a credit average in the final year or have qualifications or experience that the faculty considers to be equivalent to, or a satisfactory substitute for, the above.

Other Fees

Overseas examination fees

Textbooks

Student Services and Amenities Fee (Max. $281/year)

Incidental unit costs

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Provides students with theoretical foundations, beginning therapeutic skills and first self-reflective clinical practice proficiency in counselling.

It affords students the opportunity to learn a range of interpersonal competencies: communication, interpersonal skills, teamwork, self reflection, negotiation and conflict resolution skills.

Entry Requirements

N/A

Other Fees

Overseas examination fees

Textbooks

Student Services and Amenities Fee (Max. $281/year)

Incidental unit costs

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This is an advanced professional training programme aimed mainly at those with experience and current involvement in counselling. The objectives of this programme are to develop theoretical knowledge and a wide-range of skills relevant to effective counselling purposes and roles, and to address attitudes in accordance with being effective and professionally responsible. Additionally, students will develop the capacity to undertake, analyse and utilise research appropriate to their practice and profession.

Entry Requirements

Before enrolling for the degree of Master of Counselling, you shall:

have been admitted to a university degree and have been granted admission to postgraduate study as entitled to proceed to the degree of Master of Counselling and;
have satisfied the Academic Board that you have sufficient background of professional experience to be likely to benefit from the course
have been offered a place in the Professional Development papers.

You shall have completed the:
Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) or
Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (Rehabilitation Counselling) or an approved equivalent qualification

Entry into the Master of Counselling will be based on:
satisfactory completion of the requirements for selection into the Professional Development papers; and
the minimum standard of performance shall be a "B" average in the qualifying course of study.

Along with certified copies of academic transcripts and certificates, you are required to provide evidence of sufficient background experience.

Other Fees

Enrolment Fee - $51.40 (NZD)

Student Services Levy - $237.50 (NZD)

Massey Foundation Fee -$22.40 (NZD)

Distance Learning overseas venue fee - $214.20 (NZD)

Textbooks

Incidental Unit Fees

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CSU's Pastoral Counselling program qualifies individuals to undertake professional or highly skilled work in the field of Pastoral Counselling in settings such as pastoral and clinical counselling practise, church and community work, and lay or ordained ministry.

Why study this course?

CSU’s Pastoral Counselling program responds to community expectations for professionally trained pastoral counsellors in the church and community. These courses are unique in the Australian context and provide an opportunity for lay or ordained church workers to develop their counselling skills and qualifications.

The Graduate Certificate allows students to establish a therapeutic pastoral relationship and environment. Students will be able to use communication and counselling skills within pastoral counselling situations. They will develop skills in addressing professional ethical and theological issues relevant to pastoral counselling and will be able to develop self-reflective practice.

The Graduate Diploma extends the skills acquired through the Graduate Certificate. Students will be introduced to pastoral counselling skills coupled theory and practice in the field. The course focuses on specific areas such as crisis intervention, loss and grief, relationship and family counselling, the application of theory and skills at an advanced level, spiritual direction and pastoral theology.

Building on the subjects taken at the Graduate Diploma level, the Master of Arts (Pastoral Counselling) integrates applied pastoral theology with advanced pastoral counselling theory and skills through in-depth understanding of the discipline through either clinical coursework or research, and serves as a pathway to further learning.

Within the Master of Arts (Pastoral Counselling) students can choose to study one of two streams:

Clinical stream
Research stream

Entry Requirements

Applicants should meet the requirements of one of the following:

hold an undergraduate degree in theology, psychology or equivalent - applicants with degrees in other disciplines are encouraged to apply

have successfully completed the Graduate Diploma of Pastoral Counselling at CSU

hold a Graduate Diploma of Counselling from another institution; if so they may be required to complete the core subject theological component of the CSU Graduate Diploma of Theology before being granted admission to the Master of Arts (Pastoral Counselling).

Other Fees

Overseas examination fees ($100/course)

Textbooks

Student Services and Amenities Fee (Max. $281/year)

Incidental unit costs

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