Master of Counselling
Overview
If you're looking to become an accredited counsellor and help people who are struggling with a range of life challenges, the Master of Counselling is for you.
This 2-year full-time program will provide you with in-depth knowledge and practical skills for a successful career in professional counselling. The program is designed for those with an approved degree in social work, psychology, human services, nursing or a related field who want to gain professional counselling qualifications.
The program has a strong focus on integrative approaches to counselling and applied psychotherapy. It seeks to effectively and respectfully enhance outcomes for people struggling with a range of challenges.
You'll study courses that will develop your knowledge and professional counselling skills. You'll learn about research that informs counselling practice, understand key best-practice principles and master how to work with a diverse range of clients.
In your second year, you'll undertake more than 360 hours of supervised practical placement in government and private agencies. While on placement you'll complete a major project, which provides you the opportunity to apply counselling theory and research skills.
Taught in conjunction with UQ’s School of Psychology, the program is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
Program highlights
- Build on your background in social and behavioural sciences, psychology or nursing, and embark on a career in counselling.
- Be confident you're job-ready, with 360 hours of supervised clinical placements.
- Learn from professionals and practising counsellors to gain an accredited qualification.
How you'll learn
Your learning experiences are designed to best suit the learning outcomes of the courses you choose.
- Lectures
- Tutorials
- Work placements
- Online study
- Research experience
- Seminars
Placements and work experience
Students undertake a minimum of 364 placement hours, including a minimum of 60 direct client contact hours, in the second year (or equivalent) of their program. Placements occur in organisations which offer counselling or other mental health and wellbeing services across a variety of fields, including, but not limited to, general counselling, drug and alcohol, domestic violence and mental health.
During their placement, students undertake supervised counselling practice in a real-life setting, providing them the opportunity to apply and integrate the theoretical knowledge acquired through coursework while developing their clinical skills. Placement organisations are found across the Greater Brisbane Region including in Ipswich, Caboolture, Beenleigh and Logan. There are placement opportunities on the Gold and Sunshine Coasts for students living in those areas. Students are required to fund their daily living expenses, accommodation and travel while on placement.
What you'll study
At UQ, degrees are called 'programs' and subjects are called 'courses'. Here's a sample of the courses you could study in this program:
- Counselling and mental health
- Family therapy traditions: basic concepts and skills
- Understanding and caring for those affected by loss
- Counselling for crisis and violence
Career possibilities
Postgraduate study can take you anywhere. Here are some of the careers you could be on your way to:
- Crisis counsellor
- Grief counsellor
- Drug and alcohol counsellor
- Relationship counsellor
- Rehabilitation counsellor
- Child and youth counsellor
- Sexual assault counsellor
- Student counsellor
- Family counsellor
- Therapeutic counsellor
Program accreditation
The Master of Counselling is accredited by:
- Australian Counselling Association, Psychotherapy And Counselling Federation Of Australia
The experience I received from my placement means that I’ve had an amazing grounding and exposure to so many issues. If I had not have undertaken that placement I probably would not have been able to get the job that I have now and start my career
The experience I received from my placement means that I’ve had an amazing grounding and exposure to so many issues. If I had not have undertaken that placement I probably would not have been able to get the job that I have now and start my career
Stories
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Entry requirements
Entry requirements
To be eligible for entry, you'll need:
- A bachelor degree with demonstrated prior learning in the social and behavioural sciences (e.g. in social work, psychology, social welfare, behavioural studies, human services, nursing, therapies, medicine, or related fields).
- The minimum GPA to be considered for admission into this program is 4.0.
- A bachelor degree with demonstrated prior learning in the social and behavioural sciences (e.g. in social work, psychology, social welfare, behavioural studies, human services, nursing, therapies, medicine, or related fields).
- The minimum GPA to be considered for admission into this program is 4.0.
English language requirements
IELTS overall 7; reading 7; writing 7; speaking 7; listening 7. For other English Language Proficiency Tests and Scores approved for UQ
TOEFL IBT - Overall 100, listening 25, reading 25, writing 27, speaking 23.
TOEFL PB - Overall 600, listening 59, reading 59, writing 64/6.
Pearsons - Overall 72, sub bands minimum 72.
CES - Overall 185, All sub bands minimum 185.
BE and OET are not accepted.
There are other ways to meet the English language requirements. For some programs, additional conditions apply.
Inherent requirements
To complete this degree, you have to meet its inherent requirements by demonstrating essential skills and attributes. Read the inherent requirements before you apply.
Student visas
International students who are accepted into full-time study in the Master of Counselling are eligible to apply for an Australian student visa (subclass 500).
There are a number of requirements you must satisfy before a visa is granted, including the genuine temporary entrant (GTE) requirement.
Need help meeting the entry requirements?
Additional application information
Applicants are required to undertake two pieces of assessment; this assessment will take the form of a short-written piece and a recorded oral presentation. Further details, including topics for these assessment items will be provided after the application in early October. Offers will be made on academic achievement, curriculum vitae, personal statement and assessment items. There are limited places available in this program.
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.
Irrespective of professional background, entry to the program will be considered on the basis of previous academic study, experience and personal qualities.
For applicants who need to provide evidence of English proficiency, please note that this program requires a higher level of English language proficiency than the UQ minimum.
The number of CSPs for Semester 1 commencement are limited. There is no separate application process for CSPs and all eligible applicants that submit a complete application by 30 November in the year prior to commencement will be automatically considered. Applicants will be notified prior to the start of classes whether they have been offered a CSP.
Entry is competitive with a limited intake capacity.
Additional application information
Applicants are required to undertake two pieces of assessment; this assessment will take the form of a short-written piece and a recorded oral presentation. Further details, including topics for these assessment items will be provided in late November/early December. Offers will be made on academic achievement, curriculum vitae, personal statement and assessment items.<10><10>
Prior to applying, applicants should ensure they will be able to meet placement requirements outlined on this website.<10><10>
Irrespective of professional background, entry to the program will be considered on the basis of previous academic study, experience and personal qualities<10><10>
This program has limited intake capacity.
Fees and Scholarships
Indicative annual fee
Approximate yearly cost of tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
$16,323
2024
$16,323
2024
Approximate yearly cost of full-time tuition (16 units). Your fees will vary according to your selected courses and study load. Fees are reviewed each year and may increase.
AUD $41,120
2024
AUD $41,120
2024
Government assistance
Financial aid
As an international student, you might be eligible for financial aid – either from your home country, or from the Australian Government.
HECS-HELP
Domestic places in the Master of Counselling are Commonwealth Supported. This means the cost of your education is shared between you and the Australian Government.
Instead of tuition fees, Commonwealth Supported students pay what are called student contribution amounts.
HECS-HELP is an Australian Government loan scheme to assist eligible students with the cost of their student contribution amounts.
Centrelink support
The Australian Government has approved this master's program for income support payments to be made to eligible students.
Scholarships
You may be eligible for more than 100 scholarships, including:
How to apply
Applying online
All international applications should be submitted to UQ. If you prefer, you can use an approved UQ agent in your country.
The program code for the Master of Counselling is 5333.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Applying online
All domestic applications should be submitted to UQ.
The program code for the Master of Counselling is 5333.
Find out more about applying for postgraduate coursework study
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 1 - September 15 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Important dates
The closing date for this program is:
- To commence study in semester 1 - November 30 of the previous year.
To learn more about UQ dates, including semester start dates, view the Academic Calendar.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander applicants
For support with applying - or if you have any questions about Uni - get in touch with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Studies Unit.
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