Master of Counselling

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 (54 credit points) 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 the Schedule below.

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

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

Compulsary completion of four units (36 credit points) at the start of the program of study unless provision 2.5 applies:

• C8100 Introduction to Counselling Skills
• C8105 Counselling Theories and Practice 
• C8106 Fundamentals of Psychology

And one unit from:

• C8101 Human Development and Counselling; OR
• C8143 Addictions Counselling; OR
• C8154 Relationship Counselling

Full time students may take additional units in conjunction with this requirement.

Then Eight units (72 credit points) from the following units:

• C8101 Human Development and Counselling
• C8143 Addictions Counselling
• 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, an assessment of credit will be conducted. With the exeption of specified units given as credit, applicants shall complete units under provision 2.3

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 the Schedule below.

SCHEDULE

• C8100 Introduction to Counselling Skills 
• C8101 Human Development and Counselling 
• C8102 Pastoral Counselling in Ministry 
• C8103 Psychology and Leadership 
• C8105 Counselling Theory and Practice 
• C8106 Fundamentals of Psychology 
• C8121 Group Processes 
• C8136 Pastoral Counselling: Marriage and Family
• C8143 Addictions Counselling 
• 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 
• 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
• C8190 Research Methodology
• C9298 Research Essay (18 credit points)
• C8192 Issues in (specified topic)
• C8185 Studies in (specified topic)
• C9290 Capstone in Counselling
• C9121 Issues in (specified topic)
• C9292 Seminar in (specified topic)
• C9293 Independant Guided Study (9cp)
• C9294 Independent Guided Study (18cp)
• C9296 Minor Research Project (9cp)
• C9297 Major Research Project (18cp)

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 Master of Counselling with a Vocational Graduate Diploma of Counselling (or equivalent) may seek a maximum of 54 credit points of credit.

Specified Credit may be granted for units deemed to be equivalent by the Director of Student Services. Application for Unspecified Credit may be considered for elective (non-compulsory) units only.

Credit for Recognised Prior Learning may be granted subject to a successful application, up to a maximum of 36 credit points.

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 all information regarding your study, including fees, units, mode of delivery, and timetable.

A domestic student at the Australian University College of Divinity is designated as full-time if enrolled in three units (27 credit points) or more in a semester or part-time if enrolled in less than three units (27 credit points) per semester. AUCD offers a wide range of units and students have the option to study one or more units across the colleges delivering AUCD awards, whilst enrolled with one college.

International students

International students are subject to the conditions of their Australian student visa and are required to maintain a full-time enrolment of four units (36 credit points) per semester. If you are planning to enrol as an international student, you have the responsibility to ensure that you comply with your visa conditions at all times. Learn more about your responsibilities, rights, and what studying in Australia can offer you. Not all our teaching institutions offer study programs for international students.

Check out the locations and courses offered to international students, and for more information email us at aucd@aucd.edu.au