Master of Counselling

CRICOS 114821D

About this course

The Master of Counselling provides students with advanced professional skills for counselling ministry and for pastoral and spiritual formation. It nurtures the formation of professional identity and vision suitable for individual and relational counselling. The course equips graduates to engage in supportive and intensive therapies with psychological competence and theological congruence. 

The Master of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association .

The Australian Counselling Association (ACA) is the largest professional association for registered counsellors in the country. Through the ACA members may received a journal, industry updates, access to local chapter meetings, access to accredited supervisors, and a host of professional development opportunities. Membership also gives clients the peace of mind that their counsellor is acting in accordance with a code of ethics and best practice.

  • Study Mode: Full Time, Part Time,

  • Credit Points: 108 (12 units)

  • Award Level: AQF Level 9

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Delivered at

Australian College of Ministries
  • NSW
  • Domestic
Perth Bible College
  • WA
  • Domestic
  • International

Course Details

Admission to the Master of Counselling requires:

  • Satisfactory completion of an AQF 7 counselling award or equivalent, such as the SCD Bachelor of Counselling; OR
  • Hold a postgraduate qualification (AQF 8 or above) in Counselling, such as the SCD Graduate Certificate in Counselling; OR
  • Hold a three-year AQF 7 award in any discipline other than counselling; OR
  • Hold an AQF 8 Vocational Graduate Diploma in Counselling (or equivalent); OR
  • Qualify for professional entry as determined by the Student Support and Administration Committee; AND 
  • Satisfactorily completes a pre-enrolment interview with a relevant course advisor. 

 

English Proficiency

 

Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) overall score of at least 7.0 with no subtest below 7.0.

The Master of Counselling requires the completion of 108 credit points (12 units).

 

Where an applicant enters the award under provision 1.1.1 or 1.1.2, the twelve units shall include: 

 

Six compulsory units (54cps) unless provision 2.2 applies.

  • C8101 Human Development and Counselling 
  • C8145 Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss, and Trauma 
  • C9222 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP) 
  • C9223 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 
  • C9229 Ethical Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling 
  • C9242 Advanced Counselling Practicum

Six units selected from the approved list of units in Schedule A.

 

Where a student wishes to pursue further higher degree research, then it is recommended that 27cp of the units taken in (ii) above include C8190 Research Methodology (9cp) and C9298 Research Essay (18cp).

 

Where an applicant enters the award under provisions 1.1.3 or 1.1.5, the twelve units shall include:

Twelve compulsory units (108cps) unless provision 2.2 applies.

  • C8100 Theory and Practice of Pastoral Counselling 
  • C8101 Human Development and Counselling 
  • C8104 Fundamentals of Counselling Theories and Practice 
  • C8105 Advanced Counselling Theory and Practice 
  • C8106 Fundamentals of Psychology 
  • C8145 Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss and Trauma 
  • C8154 Relationship Counselling 
  • C9222 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP) 
  • C9223 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 
  • C9225 Counselling for Mental Health and Wellness 
  • C9229 Ethical Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling 
  • C9242 Advanced Counselling Practicum

 

Where an applicant enters the award under provision 1.1.4, the unit shall include:

 

Five compulsory units (45cps) unless provision 2.2 applies.

  • C8101 Human Development and Counselling 
  • C9222 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP), OR 
  • C9260 Narrative Therapy, Trauma and Growth 
  • C9223 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 
  • C9229 Ethical and Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling 
  • C9242 Advanced Counselling Practicum
  • One Elective unit (9cps) drawn from the list of Level 9 units in Schedule A.

 

Where a student may have already completed a compulsory unit (or its equivalent) in another award, then it is to be replaced by a unit from the list in Schedule A. 

 

Schedule A 

  • C8100 Theory and Practice of Pastoral Counselling 
  • C8101 Human Development and Counselling 
  • C8102 Pastoral Counselling in Ministry 
  • C8103 Psychology and Leadership 
  • C8104 Fundamentals of Counselling Theories and Practice 
  • C8105 Advanced Counselling Theory and Practice I 
  • C8106 Fundamentals of Psychology 
  • C8121 Group Processes 
  • C8136 Pastoral Counselling: Marriage and Family 
  • C8145 Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss and Trauma 
  • *C8150 Child and Adolescent Counselling 
  • C8153 Human Sexuality in the Helping Professions 
  • *C8154 Relationship Counselling 
  • *C8156 Family Counselling 
  • C8166 Wellbeing and Resilience for People Helpers 
  • C8170 Fundamental Principles of Pastoral Supervision 
  • C9222 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP) 
  • *C9223 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy 
  • *C9225 Counselling for Mental Health and Wellness 
  • C9229 Ethical and Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling 
  • C9242 Advanced Counselling Practicum 
  • C9243 Pastoral Counselling: Addiction 
  • C9260 Narrative Therapy, Trauma and Growth 
  • B9209 Trauma Hermeneutics 
  • P9224 Working and Caring in Mental Health 
  • P9225 Spiritual Care in Cases of Grief and Loss 
  • P8175 Professional Supervision Practicum 
  • T8147 Suffering and Hope: Theological Reflections 
  • X8190 Research Methodology 
  • X9298 Research Essay (18cp) 

 

*New Unit to be added to curriculum 

Knowledge

Graduates will possess: 

  • advanced understanding of the theories, processes, and strategies of counselling; 
  • an integrated level of theoretical and experiential knowledge of supervisory leadership and management structures; 
  • an understanding of research principles and methods applicable to counselling studies and its practice. 

 

Skills

Graduates will demonstrate advanced, specialised cognitive and technical skills in counselling, so that they are able independently to: 

  • demonstrate expert counselling skills and practices across a range of clients; 
  • analyse critically, reflect on and synthesise counselling knowledge to identify, reflect and act on complex client contexts; 
  • interpret and transmit counselling knowledge, skills and ideas through coherent and sustained counselling practice to specialist and non-specialist audiences. 

 

Applications of Knowledge and Skills

Graduates will possess the ability to: 

  • apply knowledge and skills to initiate and plan counselling interventions; 
  • apply critical self-evaluation and theological reflection to their practice of counselling; 
  • apply professional practice in counselling with a range of people in a wide variety of contexts including multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural environments.

 

Exit Points

Students enrolled in the Master of Counselling may exit with the Graduate Certificate of Counselling or the Graduate Diploma of Counselling provided they have met the requirements of the relevant award. 

A candidate may seek credit up to a maximum of 54 credit points in the Master of Counselling. 

 

Candidates entering the Masters of Counselling with a Vocational Graduate Diploma of Counselling (or equivalent) will receive a maximum of 54 credit points of credit. 

 

Specific credit may be granted for units deemed to be equivalent by the Student Support and Administration Committee. Application for non-specific credit may be considered for elective (non-compulsory) units only. 

 

Credit for Recognised Prior Learning may be granted subject to a successful application.

The Master of Counselling is offered through the individual colleges and an application for enrolment must be made to the Registrar of the teaching institution. The registrar will be able to help you with any information regarding your study, including fees, units, mode of delivery and timetable.

 

A student is designated as full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or the equivalent in a trimester. Sydney College of Divinity offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering Sydney College of Divinity awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

 

If you have any questions email us at [email protected]