Master of Counselling (Monash University)

Monash University

Structure and Content

The Master of Counselling in the Faculty of Education is a skill-based course suited to those with an interest in counselling. It is taught by academics with extensive experience working as professional counsellors/psychologists. It can be completed in 12 months or 18 months as a part-time study depending on the level of entry.

The Master of Counselling provides a professional qualification and offers authentic counselling experience. It is suitable for people from a variety of professions such as human resources, health, social welfare and education.

An integral component of the course is 200 hours of professional placement, which includes contact and distance learning hours. Non-contact hours include any counselling-related duties associated with the placement centre that do not involve counselling clients. Examples include administrative duties, observation of groups or activities, writing case notes, research into a particular case or attending meetings. Contact hours include client counselling or discussions about case managers, teachers, social workers and/or family members.

Career Opportunities

Graduates work in a variety of fields including careers counselling, education, child and family services, child protection services, child psychology, health policy, counselling, family counselling, health services management, and rehabilitation counselling.

Course Structure

This course consists of eight 12-point coursework units plus one 0-point professional experience unit. Students must complete:

• Introduction to Mental Health Issues
• Counselling Children and Adolescents
• Counselling Skills for Individuals, Couples and Groups
• Cognitive Behaviour Therapies
• Ethics for Counsellors
• Informing Practice Through Research
• Supervised Professional Counselling Practice

Supervised Professional Counselling Practice is a field placement (practicum) that develops a range of professional skills and acquaints students with issues of professional ethics and practice in counselling. Students are required to complete 200 placement hours in total, of which 100 hours are ‘contact’ hours (face-to-face counselling) and 100 hours are ‘distance learning’ (e.g. observation). Students are also required to participate in weekly online discussion groups and postings throughout the duration of the placement.

Entry Requirements

Duration: 18 months part-time (6 units, 72 points to complete)

• A bachelor degree in a related field.
• A bachelor degree in any field and a minimum of two years relevant professional experience.
• Applicants with other professional qualifications and work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Duration: 12 months part-time (4 units, 48 points to complete)

• A bachelor degree in a related field and a minimum of two years relevant professional experience.
• A four-year bachelor (honours) degree and/or graduate certificate and/or graduate diploma in any field and a minimum of two years relevant professional experience.
• Applicants with other professional qualifications and work experience will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Applicants who do not meet the Master admission may be given the entry into the Graduate Certificate of Educational Studies. Upon completion of the Graduate Certificate of Education Studies with a credit average, students will be admitted into the 4 units’ Master directly.

Delivery Method

Each term is a 3-month period covering 1 course of study. Each unit consists of 20 contact hours and will be conducted on week 4 or week 5 of the term, from Thursday till Sunday, after office hours in the evenings and/or over the weekends/public holidays. Professional experience intervention and support policy.

Assessment Methods

100% coursework

Graduation and Degree

Students who successfully complete and pass the modules stipulated in the course structure will be awarded the Master of Counselling from Monash University.

The Degree awards will be the same as that awarded to the on-campus graduates.

Programme Fees

The total fee covers university registration, lectures/tutorials/workshops and assessments such as assignments/tests/examinations/projects (where applicable), programme materials in digital format, Degree (if earned) and transcript.