Master of Counselling

Create a positive change in the lives of individuals, families and communities.

Counselling skills are growing in demand, both in the counselling room and outside it.

The number of full-time counsellors continues to grow, and counselling skills are becoming increasingly relevant in other professions, such as nursing, social work, teaching, and other community-based roles.

If you are passionate about making a difference to individuals, families and communities, ECU’s online Master of Counselling will give you tools that you can apply to a range of settings.

You will develop your capabilities in working with individuals and communities in a way that emphasises cultural awareness and person-centred approaches. You will learn how to translate and deliver counselling across modalities, as well as develop key practices to continue your own development.

You will also benefit from the opportunity to put your skills into practice on placement.

Why Study with ECU Accelerated Online?

What you will learn

Gain skills to effectively adapt to the field as it expands across the digital realm.

Understand how theories and techniques of counselling can be translated and adapted for delivery across a range of modalities to connect with and support people in unique and far-reaching ways.

• Local government support/community development roles
• Casework
• Disability support work
• Cognate undergraduate social science or behavioural science

What you will study

The course has 12 units of study made up as follows:

• Ten core units
• Professional field placement (equivalent to two units)

Work Placements

Students will undergo 250 hours of professional placement with an approved organisation, involving individual, group or couple counselling face to face or from a distance (online/remote). This provides you with the opportunity to apply theory to practice in a supervised setting, including 160 hours of 'contact' (observing or conducting counselling sessions) and 35 hours of direct supervision.

The Placement Team works on behalf of students to source placements; however, please note students in rural or remote locations may need to assist with securing a placement (or be flexible on travel and location of placement). Students undergoing a placement will also require the satisfactory completion of a Working With Children Check and National Police Check, and many agencies will require an interview with students prior to starting.

Note: Depending on your location, you may be required to travel to a nearby major city for the three-day intensive and placement components of the Master's course. Contact one of our Student Enrolment Advisors to discuss your circumstances.

You also have the option of studying the Graduate Certificate of Counselling.

Student Support

Not only will you be supported by the academic staff, with feedback and answers to your academic-related questions, but you will also receive dedicated one-on-one support for all non-academic queries from your Student Success Advisor. They are available via phone or email and provide motivation and guidance to support you to achieve your study goals.

Assessment

Assessments vary from unit to unit. Please check with your Course Coordinator or Student Success Advisor about each unit assessment requirements. Assessments may include case studies, reviews, reports, portfolios, applied projects, and presentations. We do not hold exams for 100% online programs.

Studying online with ECU

ECU Accelerated Online enables you to fit study around your life and graduate sooner than traditional part-time study. Delivered in a flexible online format and with six study periods a year, you could complete the Master of Counselling in as little as two years, meaning you can take advantage of the growing employment opportunities sooner.

Designed to meet best practice online learning standards and using the latest learning technology, the Master of Counselling will give you the same quality of education and learning outcomes that you would receive if studying on campus.