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Postgraduate

Master of Counselling (Mental Health Practice)

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Master of Counselling (Mental Health Practice) (MCCO)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • External
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 2 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep
Intakes
Note: There are mandatory residential schools and online tutorials for five courses in this degree.

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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).

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.

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 meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study with our English language partner, the Union Institute of Language (UIL).

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.

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. 

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 28320

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

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

Placement costs

Placement courses may incur some additional costs, including uniform and equipment, transport to and from venues and, in some instances, living expenses, particularly for placements in rural and remote settings.

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

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3. After submitting an application, you’ll be invited to a group interview session for further assessment.

Study period  First application closing date  First group interview Final application closing date  Final group interview and Orientation Study period start date
Trimester 1, 2025 Friday 22 November 2024 Monday 9 December 2024
 Friday 24 January 2025 Monday 3 February 2025 Monday 10 February 2025
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 7 March Thursday 17 April
 Friday 9 May
 Monday 19 May Monday 26 May
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 4 July Monday 14 July Friday 22 August
 Monday 1 September Monday 8 September

More information on university key dates is available.

Further information

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

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Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2025

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