Master of Counselling & Psychotherapy
The aim of the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is to provide high level training in the counselling and psychotherapeutic skills required to work effectively with a wide variety of clients. Fully accredited by both the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is taught by respected therapist academics working in the field.
The program offers students a strongly experiential immersion in the theory and practice of counselling and psychotherapy, in order to provide a concentrated, practice-oriented training and learning experience that is unique in the field. It is the only course of its kind to offer students comprehensive placement support under the guidance of a full-time placement coordinator. This includes sourcing placement opportunities through respected and established industry partnerships and providing intensive in house one to one and group supervision in order to meet the PACFA and ACA requirements of membership and to fully prepare students for the workplace.
Students in the Master’s program also produce a major research project under supportive supervision, in order to give them an opportunity to contribute to learning in the field. The course structure integrates the Graduate Certificate and the Graduate Diploma which provide exit points for those students who want a strong foundation in counselling and psychotherapy to integrate into their work without progressing to Masters level. Please see the link to the course guide for more detailed program information.
| Location: Hawthorn East | Intake: Semester 1 each year |
| Delivery: Full Time and Part Time | Fees: Fee information can be found here |
| Duration: 2 Years Full Time or 3 – 4 Years Part Time | FEE-HELP: Yes |
| CRICOS Course Code: 092969C |
Course Duration and Structure
This two year full time, or four year part time program, consists of 200 credit points. Students undertake a total of 16 units of study consisting of 12 coursework units (150 credit points or 75%), two placement units (25 credit points or 12.5%) and two research units (25 credit points or 12.5%).
The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is an integrated, progressive program of study comprised of the Graduate Certificate of Counselling and Psychotherapy and the Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
| Year One | |
| CPc1 | Psychotherapeutic Theories and Models |
| CPc2 | Clinical Techniques and Interventions |
| CPc3 | Interpersonal Processes in Psychotherapy |
| CPc4 | Facilitating Therapeutic Change |
| DPc1 | Brief Integrative Psychotherapy |
| DPc2 | Ethics and Professional Development |
| DPc3 | Counselling Placement |
| DPc4 | Treatment Planning and Psychopathology |
| Year Two | |
| MPc1 | Research Project & Methods |
| MPc2 | Research Project (Final Thesis) |
| MPc4 | Counselling Placement |
| MPc6 | Existential Psychotherapy |
| MPc7 | Key Competencies in Brief Dynamic Psychotherapy |
| MPc8 | Cognitive Behavioural Therapy |
| MPc9 | Relationship and Marital Therapy |
| MPc10 | Trauma Therapy |
Admission Criteria
An Australian undergraduate degree (or equivalent) in teaching, social work, social sciences, psychology or counselling with at least credit (60%) average and relevant professional experience, and successful completion of the Graduate Certificate and Graduate Diploma of Counselling and Psychotherapy with at least (70%) average.
For entry into the course, students are required to submit an application through the Apply Now page, with certified or original scanned copies of the following supporting documentation:
- Most recent academic transcripts
- A current curriculum vitae
- A 500 word personal statement outlining what factors have contributed to the application
- Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g. passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate)
- Two references, preferably with at least one academic, using the online HODSPA reference system. A guide on how to use the system is available here.
Successful applications will be invited to attend an interview with members of the School Teaching Faculty, providing students the opportunity to discuss any questions they have about the proposed course of study.
Recognition of Prior Learning
A student cannot be granted recognition of prior learning (RPL) in relation to previous professional experience. Credit or partial credit cannot be granted in recognition of knowledge or skills gained through work or life experience.
Graduate Learning Outcomes
- The ability to understand and practice within the PACFA Code of Ethics and Professional Guideline.
- A high level of verbal and professional communication skills.
- Research skills and analysis of data.
- The capacity to relate in a facilitative way.
- Understanding and capacity for human relatedness.
- An awareness of the impact of the self on others within ethical guidelines and frameworks.
- The capacity to be self-reflective and learn from experience.
- The skills to undertake suicide risk assessment and management.
- Alternative modes of working with clients, including telephone and real-time internet, incorporating potential security and confidentiality issues.
- Knowledge and integration of the range of human diversity.
- Understand the impact of gender, sexual identity, sexual orientation, age, ability, class, religion and ethnicity on therapy
- Respect and acknowledgement of indigenous history.
Career Opportunities
Graduates may find employment in a variety of settings including the health professions, rehabilitation providers, human resource management, child protection, family support counselling and private practice.
Professional Recognition
The course is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). Graduates of the program will be eligible to be listed on the PACFA register as Intern, Provisional or Clinical member depending on their professional experience.