Master of Counselling
Master of Counselling
The Master of Counselling offers an integrative approach to counsellor training and supervision, drawing upon a wide range of theories and evidence-informed practice to equip students with the advanced knowledge and skills-based competencies required by contemporary counselling practitioners. Emphasis is given to producing counsellors who are ethical, self-reflexive, and committed…
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COURSE DESCRIPTION
The Master of Counselling offers an integrative approach to counsellor training and supervision, drawing upon a wide range of theories and evidence-informed practice to equip students with the advanced knowledge and skills-based competencies required by contemporary counselling practitioners. Emphasis is given to producing counsellors who are ethical, self-reflexive, and committed to lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.
Combining online study with mandatory intensive schools in a blended learning format, the course is ideally suited to individuals with a prior degree in any discipline wishing to gain an industry-recognized qualification whilst continuing to meet their work and family commitments. As part of the award, students can complete either the Generalist Counselling Pathway or the Counselling Placement Pathway which involves 40 hours of face-to-face counselling; 10 hours of clinical supervision and 150 hours of agency-based activities. The course provides a pathway to the UNE Doctor of Philosophy for those students who meet the other entry requirements to that program.
The Master of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), a national peak association, and Australia’s largest single registration body for counsellors and psychotherapists. Student membership with the ACA is available while undertaking the course, with professional membership eligibility after graduation. Graduates who engage in ongoing professional development are also eligible to be listed on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP), an independent national register of qualified counsellors and psychotherapists.
Course Aims
This course aims to equip students with mastery of specialised counselling skills.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
- demonstrate specialised, integrative theoretical knowledge and skill-based practice in the discipline of counselling;
- utilise contemporary research and evidence-based guidelines, together with a professional and integrated understanding of diverse client populations and the main theoretical approaches used, in order to best meet their needs;
- utilise codes of practice for counsellors and apply principles of ethico-legal practice to plan and document ways of working with clients in complex situations, demonstrating respect for diversity and well developed judgement;
- conduct a range of counselling sessions in a professional manner, demonstrating mastery of specialised knowledge in order to best meet the needs of clients, groups and communities;
- engage reflexively in robust analysis of their case conceptualisation, counselling and supervision skills and develop a plan for ongoing supervision and professional development; and
- demonstrate the capacity to work in collaborative practice, to develop academic and research skills, and to communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.
REQUIREMENTS
A candidate shall:
(a) Hold an AQF Level 7 Bachelor qualification; or
(b) hold the 2015-2018 AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of New England; or
(c) Hold the 2019-onwards AQF Level 8 Graduate Diploma in Counselling from the University of New England; or
(d) hold an AQF Level 8 Graduate Certificate or Graduate Diploma or AQF Level 9 Masters or AQF Level 10 Doctorate degree in any relevant discipline; or
(e) Satisfy UNE by means of other relevant professional experience by submitting a Statement of Service from your employer/s and a resume outlining a minimum of three years’ full-time (or equivalent) relevant professional experience and training undertaken in the past 10 years.
Relevant disciplines include, but are not limited to: Counselling, psychology, social work, nursing, teaching, human resources, life coaching, community services, children’s services, youth work, care for the aged, care for the disabled, residential client care, welfare studies, human welfare studies, pastoral care and medicine.
An IELTS (Academic) overall score of at least 6.0 with no sub-band less than 5.5; or equivalent TOEFL score of at least 213 in the computer-based test; or at least 79 in the internet-based test with no less than 22 in the written component; or a PTE Academic minimum overall score of 57 with no skill less than 50.
EDUCATIONAL INSTITUTION
The University of New England was originally formed in 1938 as the New England University College, a College of the University of Sydney. It became fully independent in 1954. The university is located on several sites in Armidale, NSW. All the programs are offered via the four faculties: Arts; Economics, Business and Law; Education, Health and Professional Studies; and The Sciences; these faculties incorporate 18 teaching schools. Research is offered in the areas of rural science, agricultural economics, geology, educational administration, linguistics, archaeology, etc.
