The Master of Counselling offers preparation for a position in counselling for practitioners from a variety of backgrounds. It provides career opportunities in private practice, education, health and human service settings. It will interest professionals seeking a career change, or those wishing to fine-tune qualifications by adding vocational emphasis or gain an academic qualification to formalise years of work experience. It may also be of particular relevance to those working in education, nursing, health or human services.

This program provides practical training that leads to the acquisition of knowledge, skills, and experience in professional counselling, family therapy, and ethical practice competencies in both class and a live clinical context. A feature of the program is the experiential clinical component that takes place in Internships in Relationships Australia, Centacare and the Counselling and Research Centre at the University. This enables you to integrate counselling theory with practice in a structured and safe learning environment. Students will acquire the relevant counselling knowledge and skills by satisfactorily completing at least 200 hours of counselling and additional supervision within the Internship. Students will also undertake a Research project related to counselling practice and document this in a 10,000-12,000 word dissertation, comprising a literature review, methodology, findings and implications for further study.

The Master of Counselling will be offered to students with an approved three year degree in Counselling (via Pathway B) or a related area such as teaching, nursing, or other human services/health related area, or a Bachelor Degree in other areas approved by the University (via Pathway A). The program specialises in advanced counselling practice skills as well as specialised areas such as counselling addictions, counselling children and adolescents, counselling in mental health and expressive therapies.

Admission requirements

A student entering the Master of Counselling will normally be required to hold an approved 3-year degree in Counselling (AQF Level 7) or a Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) in other areas approved by the University.

Entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Dean, Faculty of Arts and Business.

Applicants are required to complete an additional personal statement and attend an interview (refer to application form). Interviews for International students on a Student visa will be conducted by Skype.

Requirements for placements

You must hold a current Blue Card # before starting your first supervised counselling experience. Blue Card applications should be submitted with your application to USC. If you do not submit an application, or apply but are ineligible, you will not be able to undertake the professional experience components of the program. Many agencies also require a Police check in addition to the Blue Card.

# Blue Cards are issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. More information on Blue Cards and how to apply.

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible to apply for membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Associations accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Queensland Counsellor Association.

Accreditation

This program is fully accredited with the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.