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Master of Counselling (Foundations of Practice)

  • Masters (Coursework)

Personalise your master's degree and select courses from different specialisations to suit your counselling goals. This specialisation is perfect for those who want to gain knowledge in a range of counselling specialisations.

Key details

Degree Type
Masters (Coursework)
Study Mode
Online
Intake Months
Feb, Jul
Domestic Fees
$25,760 per year

About this course

Overview
  • Personalise your master's degree and select courses from different specialisations to suit your counselling goals. This specialisation is perfect for those who want to gain knowledge in a range of counselling specialisations.
  • This is a qualifying specialisation - students from a non-counselling background can study this postgraduate counselling degree. Graduates of this specialisation meet the educational requirements for entry into the counselling profession.
  • Study counselling frameworks, professional practice and ethics, and counselling assessment and interventions.
  • This specialisation provides you with the maximum choice to customise your training. In addition to the foundation of practice core courses, you can choose from a wide range of approved subjects from across the specialisation.
  • This degree provides you with the opportunity to undertake a substantial research project or choose to do a smaller capstone project to further your research skills.
  • To enhance your practice, you'll attend mandatory residential schools at UniSQ Ipswich campus to meet the required number of hours of face-to-face instruction.
Thinking of studying in 2024? UniSQ will be delivering flexible new ways of teaching, with different calendar offerings, making the balance of study and life easier. Read more in our new academic calendar FAQs.
Professional accreditation

This specialisation within the Master of Counselling is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

There are two different admission requirement processes depending on whether the student is studying stream 1 - the qualifying Master of Counselling, or stream 2, the Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice).

Stream 1: Qualifying Master of Counselling

  • Completion of an Australian university 3-year bachelor degree, or equivalent, in any area.
  • Completion of at least 50% of the Graduate Diploma of Counselling at UniSQ and have a grade point average (GPA) of 5 or higher, or equivalent qualification from another institution.
  • Provide two satisfactory Referee Reports and a report to address the Selection Criteria indicating the applicant's abilities to successfully undertake the professional and research components of the program; and
  • Participate in an interview with a panel of School staff.
English language requirements

You are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If you do not meet the English language requirements you may apply to study a University-approved English language program.

Additional requirements for placements

All students must provide the following documents prior to commencing clinical placements:

  • Blue Card or Working with Children Check
  • Australian Police Certificate
  • Resume
  • UniSQ Placement Request form
  • a signed UniSQ Student Declaration.
Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

Study locations

External

Distance

Online

Career pathways

Career outcomes
  • Career opportunities exist in a range of counselling and human services roles within government, non-government, and private organisations, or alternatively, graduates may become self-employed in private practice. Additionally, graduates may have opportunities to progress into doctoral studies.

Course structure

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 16 units. Most courses (similar to 'subjects') are valued at 1 unit. To study full-time you would usually complete 4 units per semester.

Courses to be studied Units Core courses 13 plus 3 x approved courses 3 Total 16

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Clinical experience

In addition to the courses to be studied, you will also need to complete clinical experience, where interactive hands-on activities, such as experiments and use of specialist equipment, are undertaken.

All students must be able to meet the physical and other professional requirements of clinical/professional practice within this degree.

Residential schools

If you are enrolled in the External study mode in this degree, you will have the opportunity to come on-campus for residential schools, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials, use the facilities and meet staff and other students.

How to apply

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

The closing dates for applying directly to UniSQ are:

  • Semester 1, 2023 - applications close on 20 February and the Semester 1 study period commences on Monday 20 February, 2023.
  • Semester 2, 2023 - applications close on 10 July and the Semester 2 study period commences on Monday 10 July, 2023.

Select to start your degree in one of the following intakes:

  • Trimester 1, 2024 - applications close 22 January 2024 and the Trimester 1 study period starts on 22 January 2024.
  • Trimester 2, 2024 - applications close 13 May 2024 and the Trimester 2 study period starts on 13 May 2024.
  • Trimester 3, 2024 - applications close 2 September 2024 and the Trimester 3 study period starts on 2 September 2024.

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.