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Postgraduate

Master of Counselling (Mental Health Counselling)

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Master of Counselling (Mental Health Counselling) (MCCO)
Entry requirements
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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

  • Specialise in supporting those 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.
  • You can study the Master of Counselling online 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.

Professional accreditation

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

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 the student is studying stream 1 – the qualifying Master of Counselling, or stream 2, the Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice).

Stream 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 and have a grade point average (GPA) of 5 or higher, or equivalent qualification from another institution.
  • Provide two satisfactory Referee Reports and a report to address the Selection Criteria indicating the applicant's abilities to successfully undertake the professional and research components of the program; and
  • Participate in an interview with a panel of School staff. 

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.

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

If you have previously studied in your home country, you may be eligible for recognition of prior learning to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don’t meet the entry requirements, don’t worry, there are 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 international students' first year of study (8 units) in this degree:

Study Mode Cost
External/Online

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

AUD 30320

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.

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 University accepts applications all year. Semester start dates are:

  • Semester 1, 2023 starts on Monday 20 February, 2023.
  • Semester 2, 2023 starts on Monday 10 July, 2023.

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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