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Postgraduate

Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice)

Domestic students International students
Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice) (MCCO)
Entry requirements
View full details
Study mode
  • External
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 2 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, Jul
Note: There are mandatory residential schools and online tutorials for five courses in this degree.

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Overview

  • Specifically designed for qualified professionals who use counselling, you can diversify your expertise and study various counselling specialisations with Advanced Practice.
  • Progress your counselling practice and choose subjects that suit you career goals or allow you to expand and grow your current knowledge.
  • Develop your expertise and upskill in couple and family counselling, child and youth counselling, mental health practice, relapse prevention, and substance misuse.
  • 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.
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

The Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice) is recognised by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) as meeting their bridging requirements to meet Level 3 membership under certain conditions. These include, if the graduate is a Level 2 ACA Member; or if the graduate is not a current member but has an ACA-accredited bachelor qualification; or if the graduate is not a current member but holds an ACA-accredited graduate diploma and has evidence of one year’s post-qualification supervised practice, and a post-qualification minimum of 50 hours of supervision.

Career outcomes

  • Allows helping professionals to develop or expand their counselling expertise in specialty areas of their choosing, and may provide an opportunity to progress into doctoral studies.

Entry requirements 

  • Current evidence of full membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Australian Psychological Society, Australian Counselling Association, Australian Association of Social Workers, Australian Counselling Association, or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.

There are two different admission requirement processes for this degree depending on whether the student is studying stream 1 – the qualifying Master of Counselling, or stream 2, the Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice). Find more information on stream 1 - the qualifying Master of Counselling, under the other specialisations.

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.

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.

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 16
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.

Other specialisations

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 25760

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2023. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Professional experience costs

This degree includes a professional experience component that may involve travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP. 

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct 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.

More information on applying key dates is available.

Further information

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

Got questions?

 

Begin your study journey today with the university rated five out of five stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide, 2023

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