University of the Sunshine Coast
Master of Counselling
Nationally Recognised Higher EducationDo you like to listen? Do you enjoy being with people? Do you want a meaningful and fulfilling career? Learn to provide professional counselling support through the Master of Counselling Program.
In this program you will:
- Immerse yourself in a holistic integrated and evidence-based pathway to becoming a registered counsellor
- Acquire advanced skills, theoretical knowledge and clinical experience through classroom activities, blended learning and internship placements
- Be exposed to advanced counselling skills and theories, counselling and mental health, counselling and addictions, counselling children and young people, mindfulness-based interventions, expressive therapies and solution focused brief therapy.
- Learn the art of assessment and case conceptualisation
- Build a strong ethical framework for practice
Delivery mode
University of the Sunshine Coast offers this course through the following delivery modes:
On campus
Work with instructors and classmates in a supportive and collaborative environment.
Locations
- 90 Sippy Downs Drive, Sippy Downs
Entry requirements
Domestic Students
- There are no mandated entry requirements.
A student entering the Master of Counselling will normally be required to hold an approved 3-year degree in Counselling (AQF Level 7) or a Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) in other cognate areas as approved by the University
Entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Head of School, Social Sciences.
Applicants are required to complete an additional personal statement and attend an interview (refer to application form). Interviews for International students on a Student visa will be conducted by Skype.
Applicants must hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), which is issued by the Public Safety Business Agency, prior to commencement. Please see the Blue Card link for further details.
The Master of Counselling offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) as well as domestic fee paying places. Offers for both CSP and fee paying places will be made after the application due date for the program.
CSP will be allocated on the basis of your Grade Point Average in the degree used to meet admission requirements. Applicants falling below the demand-driven cut-off for a CSP may be offered a domestic fee paying place (with the option to access FEE-HELP) subject to capacity limitations. USC reserves the right to offer a small number of CSP to students from ATSIC or disadvantaged backgrounds.
Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent visa holders enrolled in a fee paying place will have the option of applying for a CSP in subsequent semesters if one becomes available. In these cases, the student’s current GPA in the Master of Counselling will be used to assess eligibility for a CSP place using the same entry cut-off applied for new CPS entrants during that admission period.
A student entering the Master of Counselling will normally be required to hold an approved 3-year degree in Counselling (AQF Level 7) or a Bachelor Degree (AQF Level 7) in other cognate areas as approved by the University
Entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Head of School, Social Sciences.
Applicants are required to complete an additional personal statement and attend an interview (refer to application form). Interviews for International students on a Student visa will be conducted by Skype.
Applicants must hold a valid Suitability Card (Blue Card), which is issued by the Public Safety Business Agency, prior to commencement. Please see the Blue Card link for further details.
The Master of Counselling offers a limited number of Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) as well as domestic fee paying places. Offers for both CSP and fee paying places will be made after the application due date for the program.
CSP will be allocated on the basis of your Grade Point Average in the degree used to meet admission requirements. Applicants falling below the demand-driven cut-off for a CSP may be offered a domestic fee paying place (with the option to access FEE-HELP) subject to capacity limitations. USC reserves the right to offer a small number of CSP to students from ATSIC or disadvantaged backgrounds.
Australian citizens, New Zealand citizens and permanent visa holders enrolled in a fee paying place will have the option of applying for a CSP in subsequent semesters if one becomes available. In these cases, the student’s current GPA in the Master of Counselling will be used to assess eligibility for a CSP place using the same entry cut-off applied for new CPS entrants during that admission period.
English Language Requirements
Your English language proficiency test must be no more than two years old at the time of your commencement at Western Sydney University.
IELTS (Academic)
- Overall score of 6.5 with minimum 6.0 in each subtest
TOEFL iBT
- Overall score of 85 with minimum score of 21 for writing
Pearson Test of English (PTE)
- Overall score of 58 with no subscore less than 54
Language of Instruction English (LOI)
- Minimum 2 year full-time tertiary study, or 2 year full-time other post-secondary study where the language of instruction is English, successfully completed in the last 5 years in one of the of the following countries:
- Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, United Kingdom and United States of America
Course fees
$52,800
Career opportunities
The Master of Counselling will prepare you for the following roles.
Counsellor
Counsellors help their clients work through a range of personal problems including issues relating to relationships, home finances, work, parenting...
Crisis Counsellor
Crisis Counsellors are qualified mental health professionals who provide counselling support and activate crisis interventions for people who are i...
Family Counsellor
Family Counsellors help families in crises and challenging situations, ensuring the individual wellbeing of each family member as well as the whole...
Mental Health Counsellor
Mental Health Counsellors are qualified health professionals who provide counselling and psychotherapy (talk-therapy) services to their clients. Th...
About University of the Sunshine Coast
We’re the University of the Sunshine Coast. UniSC for short.
A young, fresh university driven by an unwavering belief that community and culture is just as important as a world-class education, given by world-class educators.
We’re not the biggest university. But we’re growing every day, and doing big things. Like ground-breaking research, championing sustainability, producing gold-winning athletes and award-winning alumni.
Being young has its benefits too. Our first campus, on the Sunshine Coast, opened its doors in 1996 (feels like yesterday). Today, our award-winning facilities span five campuses across South East Queensland.
It also means you’re never going to be bombarded by stale traditions or hear phrases like “That’s the way we’ve always done it”.
We prefer thinking that moves everyone forward. And our students, staff and researchers work hard every day to do just that.
Together with our people, community and partners, we’re building a safe, sustainable, supportive, and fun learning environment, where lifelong friends are made, and opportunities are earned.
Join us and build your future, the way you want it.
