Master of Counselling
Master of Counselling
The Master of Counselling, a program accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and Australian Counselling Association (ACA), aims to develop essential clinical competencies, foster reflective awareness and provide a sound theoretical foundation for a career as a professional counsellor. The degree integrates contemporary counselling theory, research…
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Master of Counselling, a program accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and Australian Counselling Association (ACA), aims to develop essential clinical competencies, foster reflective awareness and provide a sound theoretical foundation for a career as a professional counsellor. The degree integrates contemporary counselling theory, research and practice, contextualised within a Christian world view and a mental health framework. It develops counsellors who understand the personal, cultural, relational, psychological, social and spiritual domains of human experience and functioning; who are professionally and ethically informed; who will be sensitive to the diversity and uniqueness of individuals, families, and communities; and who will value and promote the dignity, potential and wellbeing of all people.
Professional placement
Course includes assisting students with locating placements, 100 direct client contact hours and 25 hours of clinical supervision, along with free personal counselling. This combination meets the highest training standards as specified by PACFA 2020 Training Standards.
This course is suited for:
• current counsellors seeking additional training at a post-graduate level;
• Individuals with undergraduate qualifications (or equivalent) wanting to enter the counselling profession;
• Other professionals seeking to diversify and extend their current skill set or change career direction.
NOTE: It is not necessary to be a Christian to undertake this course.
Where this will take me
The Master of Counselling degree prepares graduates for a range of counselling-related positions within the mental health sector. For example, graduates work in private practice and a variety of Christian, church-based and secular counselling services, centres and programs (such as schools; private, government and NGO agencies; and child and adolescent services). They work with varied age groups and target populations (children and adolescents, the homeless, troubled youth, adults with a range of mental health issues, the unemployed, the elderly); addressing a range of life issues including trauma, loss and grief, relationship and family issues, identity formation, spiritual concerns, illness and disability.
Historically graduates of the program have applied for membership with PACFA and The ACA subject to meeting their membership requirements. Students can also join the Christian Counsellors Association of Australia (CCAA). Concurrently graduates are able to apply for listing on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP), subject to meeting the ARCAP registration requirements.
REQUIREMENTS
Educational Prerequisites
Applicants may be admitted to the Master of Counselling if they have previously successfully completed a relevant:
Bachelor’s degree or Bachelor Honours degree
‘Relevant’ means a degree that includes subjects such as psychology, social work and education where you studied human motivation and behaviour. “Non-relevant” means degrees that are science based (not including psychology), where you have not studied human motivation and behaviour.
Applicants with non-relevant degrees will be considered based on their Work and Life Experience.
Minimum Score of IELTS – 7 with no band less than 6.5; PTE Academic – 65 with no score less than 58
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
Established in 1983, Excelsia College is one of Australia’s leading Christian higher education providers based in Macquarie Park. We are an innovative and creative community of people who are passionate about excelling and growing academically, professionally, personally and spiritually. We offer a variety of courses across business, counselling, creative and performing arts, education and social work. Our students and alumni embark on a journey of lifelong learning and leadership.Excelsia is a community where people excel, are inspired and challenged by our motto ‘Participare Lumen’ (Share the Light) to benefit our world as we share the light of Christ and benefit of higher education within the world. Our educators seek to walk alongside each student on their unique and individual learning journey. With smaller classroom settings, students get to know their classmates and lecturers better and become part of the community.Excelsia promotes and fosters quality in teaching and learning through the implementation of our vision, mission, and institutional values. We provide academic skills support and pastoral support in the form of Mission Engagement Coordinators as well as free counselling services to our students. We also run student-led events throughout the year coordinated by our Student Representative Council (SRC).In the 2022 QILT Student Experience Survey (SES), 83.1 per cent of undergraduate students had a positive overall experience, higher than the national average of 75.9 per cent. Excelsia College has also achieved great results in undergraduate skills development, rating at 88.9 per cent, and teaching quality, rating 88.6 per cent. We are proud to have over 58 nationalities represented at our College, including the Philippines, Singapore, Nepal and India. Over 80 per cent of our students speak a language other than English.Within many of our courses, students undertake practical training in the form of placement opportunities so they can go out as confident, innovative individuals prepared to make a difference in their selected field.CRICOS provider number: 02664KTEQSA provider ID: PRV12064
