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University of Southern Queensland (USQ)

  • 12% international / 88% domestic

Master of Counselling (Mental Health Counselling)

  • Masters (Coursework)

Specialise in supporting people with mental health conditions. Develop your expertise in topics including mental health paradigms, psychological disorders, their aetiology, evidence-based treatment approaches, and assessment models.

Key details

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

About this course

Overview
  • Specialise in supporting people with mental health conditions. Develop your expertise in topics including mental health paradigms, psychological disorders, their aetiology, evidence-based treatment approaches, and assessment models.
  • 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.
  • Gain a comprehensive understanding of the context of mental health practice and study the theories, legislation, policies and standards that underpin mental health practice in Australia.
  • 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.
  • Most of the Master of Counselling courses are undertaken online to allow greater flexibility to fit study into your life.
  • 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.
  • Develop your applied skills further utilising our telehealth system simulations and working with the community and alongside clinical supervisors in UniSQ's Psychology and Counselling clinics in Toowoomba and Ipswich.
Further study Graduates who have completed a research project within this degree may be eligible to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).
Professional accreditation

The Master of Counselling (Qualifying) is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) which enables registration as a Counsellor with the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

There are two different admission requirement processes depending on whether you are applying for the qualifying Master of Counselling, or the Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry).

Pathway 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, or equivalent qualification from another institution, and have a grade point average (GPA) of 4 or higher for the Capstone Project research option, and a GPA of 5 or higher for the Research Project option.
  • Participate in group reflection with members of School staff and other applicants.
  • Provide a report addressing the following selection criteria (informed by the PACFA Training Standards and UniSQ's inherent requirements). Write a statement of no more than 2 pages that addresses:
    1. Studying for (or holding) a Graduate Diploma of Counselling (UniSQ) with evidence of GPA.
    2. Applicants not currently enrolled in a UniSQ Graduate Diploma of Counselling must supply names and contact details of two referees (preferably including a professional report from an academic, a counsellor, a psychologist, a social worker, or similar professional).
    3. Effective relationship skills, attitudes, and behaviours.
    4. Demonstrated life maturity.
    5. Openness to receiving, considering, and integrating feedback.
    6. Commitment to ethical, professional and trustworthy behaviour.
    7. Commitment to engage fully in the process of counselling training.
    8. Willingness to attend a group reflection with members of school staff and other applicants.
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.

Courses to be studied Units Core courses 9 Specialisation courses 3 Research Project Pathway courses (4 units)
or
Research Capstone Project Pathway courses (2 units) plus electives (2 units)

4 Total 16

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for an example of 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 school

In the Master of Counselling (Qualifying), you'll need to come on-campus for 5 mandatory residential schools attached to 5 core courses, where you will attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials to gain practical experience, use facilities and specialist equipment, and meet staff and other students.

How to apply

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

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You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3.

Study period Application closing date Orientation
Study period s
tart date
Trimester 2, 2024 Monday 18 March Monday 6 May Monday 13 May
Trimester 3, 2024 Monday 8 July Monday 26 August Monday 2 September
Trimester 1, 2025 Monday 4 November 2024 January 2025 January 2025

Please note that in some circumstances the university may accept applications up until the start of Orientation week for each study period.

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

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

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