Master of Counselling

School of Arts & Sciences

Are you an experienced professional wanting to make inroads into the challenging but rewarding area of counselling? The University of Notre Dame Australia’s Master of Counselling is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia and the Australian Counselling Association. It provides professional training that combines classroom-based study with practical counselling experience. If you already have a Bachelor of Counselling degree or equivalent, the duration of this course may be less. Get in touch to find out more.

• Why study this degree?

  Our Master of Counselling is designed to suit the needs of people from various professional backgrounds, including social work, human resources, social welfare, nursing, psychology, and education. At the end of this postgraduate program, you will have the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to work in the counselling field.

  The degree takes an integrative approach to counselling practice, focusing on contemporary and evidence-based approaches, group work, mental health, research skills and counselling across the lifespan. You will also be encouraged to develop self-awareness, identify, and discuss links between theory and practice, and showcase your ability to assess and intervene in response to various presenting issues.

  You will also develop research skills relevant to the field of counselling. In the second year, you will undertake an industry placement. The length of the placement usually is 200 hours, which includes at least 40 hours of client contact and 10 hours of individual clinical supervision.

  By the end of the Master’s degree, you will be able to register as a counsellor and work with clients in various settings.

• Program summary

  Year One

  • COUN6000 Interpersonal Group Practice
  • COUN6001 Counselling Skills
  • COUN6002 Theoretical Approaches to Counselling
  • COUN6003 Approaches to Mental Health
  • COUN6004 Theory and Process of Group Facilitation
  • COUN6005 Family Systems and Couples
  • ARTS5010 Research Methods
  • PHIL6020 Ethical Issues in Professional Life

  Year Two

  • COUN6006 Placement, Supervision and Case Studies A
  • COUN6007 Placement, Supervision and Case Studies B
  • COUN6008 Professional Practice
  • COUN6009 Trauma, Loss and Grief Counselling
  • COUN6010 Specialised Counselling Approaches
  • THREE (3) Electives, TWO (2) of which must be Research Electives

  Master of Counselling Research electives

  • ARTS6000 Literature Review
  • ARTS6001 Professional Project
  • ARTS6002 Experience the World
  • ART6030 Professional Group Project
  • ART3031 Research Project
  • ARTS6033 Writing for Research
  • RSCH7000 Quantitative Research Methods
  • RSCH7001 Qualitative Research Methods
  • RSCH7002 Scholarly Writing and Publication
  • RSCH7003 Developing a Research Proposal

  Full details of the program requirements are contained in the Program Requirements.

  More information regarding courses can be found at the course descriptions pages Fremantle Sydney.

  Please note: the availability of these courses is indicative only and may be subject to change.

• Entry requirements

  • Applicants must usually hold an undergraduate degree or equivalent.
  • Applicants will also be required to demonstrate a suitable degree of mature life experience, including self-awareness, a capacity to relate to others and an understanding of ethical behaviour. Admission also requires a selection interview with a member of the Counselling staff. At the interview the applicant will be required to demonstrate a suitable degree of mature life experience as defined by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).
  • Successful applicants will be required to provide a current National Police Clearance.

• Learning outcomes

  Upon successful completion of the Master of Counselling graduates will be able to:

  1. Demonstrate advanced and integrated knowledge of a range of theoretical approaches to Counselling
  2. Demonstrate a commitment to professional and personal development through training, supervision and counselling
  3. Apply appropriate research skills relevant to an area of Counselling
  4. Execute advanced counselling skills, including assessing presenting issues, explaining aetiology, developing therapeutic alliances, and implementing appropriate interventions
  5. Implement advanced skills in counselling practice in a variety of settings with individuals, couples, and groups
  6. Research and report original findings through written and/or oral presentations
  7. Communicate, both orally and in writing, to an advanced level
  8. Work independently and, where appropriate, in collaboration with others; and
  9. Apply professional and ethical standards to clients and colleagues and provide culturally, linguistically, and socially diverse counselling strategies.

• Practical component

  You are required to complete COUN6006 Placement, Supervision and Case Studies A and COUN6007 Placement, Supervision and Case Studies B. The length of the placement is normally 200 hours, which includes at least 40 hours of client contact and 10 hours of individual, clinical supervision.

• Career opportunities

  With a Master of Counselling, you can register as a counsellor and work with clients in various settings. Careers include relationship counsellors, financial counsellors, rehabilitation counsellors, school counsellors, youth workers, family support workers, private practitioners, and psychotherapists.

• Real-world experience

  You will learn from academics who are industry leaders and, through our practicum placements and internship programs, you will gain real professional experience and make valuable contacts with potential employers.

• Professional accreditation

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

• Scholarships

  Scholarships provide financial support to students while they are completing their studies. There are various scholarships available to prospective and current students, across all study levels and campuses.

  These can be funded by Notre Dame, industry, individuals and non-profit organisations, to provide financial assistance to students to support costs associated with study. This could include buying food, paying rent, transport, and household bills, raising children as single parents, being a single-income household, becoming unemployed or caring for a sick loved one.

  Please visit the Scholarships Finder to see which scholarships are available to Postgraduate students.

• Fees and costs

  This Program has the following loan scheme(s) available for eligible students:

  Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP)
  A Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) is a place at a university where the Australian Government pays part of your fees. This part is a subsidy, not a loan, and you don’t have to pay it back. However, this subsidy does not cover the entire cost of your study. Students must pay the rest, which is called the ‘student contribution amount’.

  In a Commonwealth Supported Place, your fees are subsidised by the Australian Government. Your fees will be split into two portions:

  The Commonwealth contribution, which is the portion paid by the Australian Government.

  The student contribution, which is the portion you pay. You may choose to pay upfront or defer your student contribution with a HECS-HELP Loan. The HECS-HELP loan scheme assists eligible students with the payment of all, or part, of their tuition fees, not including additional study costs such as accommodation or textbooks. Your HECS-HELP debt will be indexed each year in line with the Consumer Price Index.

  Eligible students will be offered a CSP – you do not need to apply.

  International Full-Fee Paying
  Tuition costs depend on an international student’s study load and discipline. Fees are payable each semester at least four weeks prior to the commencement of your program.

  For indicative fees and information on how to pay, including Government loan schemes and our online calculator, visit our Fees, costs and scholarships page.

• More information

  Considering your uni options?
  Our advisors provide support while choosing a program of study and completing our application process.

  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, the Prospective Students Office can help. Book a 1-on-1 advice session with a career advisor or call us on 1800 878 916.

  Fremantle and Broome
  Email: future@nd.edu.au
  Address: 23 High St, Fremantle, WA 6160

  Sydney and Melbourne
  Email: sydney@nd.edu.au
  Address: 128-140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008

  International students
  If you need advice about studying at Notre Dame, fill out our Make an Enquiry form, and you can book a session with one of our friendly International Student Advisors.

  Fremantle and Broome International Office
  Phone: +61 8 9433 0873
  Address: 19 Mouat St, Fremantle, WA 6160
  Postal address: PO Box 1225, Fremantle WA 6959

  Sydney and Melbourne International Office
  Phone: +61 2 8204 4229
  Address: 140 Broadway, Chippendale, NSW 2008
  Postal address: PO Box 944, Broadway NSW 2007