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 university-qualified, registered counsellors who are ethical, self-reflexive, and committed to lifelong learning and ongoing professional development.

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, implement, analyse and document ways of working with clients in complex situations, demonstrating respect for diversity; conduct a range of counselling sessions in a professional manner, demonstrating mastery of specialised knowledge, well-developed judgement and reflective practice skills, 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 collaboratively in inter-professional practice, to develop academic and research skills, and to communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences.

Graduate Attributes

Knowledge of a Discipline Students will acquire advanced knowledge, experience and critical understanding of the professional practice and scholarship of this discipline from a culturally sensitive, global perspective. Communication Skills Students will increase their English language proficiency through the holistic integration of verbal and written communication skills with academic, practice-based, specialist and non-specialist audiences. Problem Solving Students will develop their ability to investigate, analyse and synthesise complex information, to apply theory to practice in an integrative way, and to critically reflect on appropriate ways to support clients. Information Literacy Students will increase their capacity to critically analyse and evaluate the sources and validity of information relevant to this discipline, their ability to think critically and evaluate complex ideas and experiences and the ability to design, and to implement research that contributes to professional practice or scholarship in this field. Ethical Conduct and Social Responsibility Students will develop their capacity to critically analyse, reflect on and apply complex information in relation to ethical conduct and social responsibility expected by this discipline towards clients, colleagues, specialist and non-specialist audiences. Lifelong Learning Students will expand their capacity to demonstrate mastery of theoretical knowledge, reflect critically on theory and professional practice, and to take responsibility and be accountable for personal and professional practice as a counsellor through self-reflexive practice. Independence and Collaboration Students will develop and refine their skills, understanding and ability to work effectively, both independently and as part of a multi-disciplinary team.