Postgraduate Course

Master of Counselling

Are you passionate about mental health and helping people through the most difficult of times? Become a professional counsellor by combining literature and research with practical training in a Master of Counselling at Murdoch.

What type of student are you?

Murdoch code
M1143
Study mode
Full Time or Part Time
Duration
2
Selection rank
CRICOS code
056251G
First year fee (domestic)
$24,120
First year fee (international)
$37,080
Full course fee (domestic)
$48,240
Full course fee (international)
$74,160
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The fees provided are indicative and intended only as a guide. They are based on a typical full-time enrolment for a first year student at Murdoch University of 24 credit points. The indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported Fee.

Overview

Counsellors help people through difficult times of their lives, often when they are most vulnerable. Prepare for a career in counselling by building your personal and professional skills. With a focus on building counselling relationships with your clients that are essential to effective practice, you’ll gain the skills you need to succeed in a rewarding career.

Apply the theoretical foundations of counselling by first appraising selected counselling literature and research, before undertaking extensive practical training. In your second year, you will have the option to complete a substantial research project addressing counselling theory or practice, or choose to complete the course through coursework and case studies.

You’ll complete two supervised placements, which will provide you the opportunity to develop skills in assessment, individual and group treatment, working with children and adult clients, working with other professionals and within the supervisory relationship.

3 reasons to study a Master of Counselling at Murdoch

  1. Work with real clients in Murdoch’s on-campus Caladenia counselling clinic, where you’ll complete your internal practical placement and work with clients under supervision.
  2. Work in external agencies in the community during your second placement, counselling real clients in different settings under supervision of highly experienced clinicians.
  3. Learn from highly experienced staff with industry and practical experience in counselling.

What you'll learn 

  • Coached practice in small groups
  • Counselling adults
  • Counselling children and adolescents
  • Trauma counselling
  • Introduction to creative arts therapies

Your future career

When you graduate, you may be employed in government and non-government counselling organisations working with adults, children, families and couples. This course will also prepare you for employment in settings requiring individual and group therapy competence. Careers could include:

  • Counsellor
  • Psychotherapist
  • Caseworker
  • Support Worker
  • Mental health professional

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to apply for Provisional Registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and to then work towards clinical registration.

Graduates are also eligible to apply for Level 2 membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and then work towards Level 3/ 4 Clinical membership.

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Structure

To help plan the structure of your course, search for our suggested course plans.

Total credit points: 48

Unit code Unit name Credit points
Course Core48 credit points
Required Units39 credit points
CSL582Principles of Counselling 16
CSL684Principles of Counselling 23
CSL578Counselling Children and Adolescents3
CSL583Counselling Adults3
CSL581Experiential Learning in Group Counselling3
CSL679Counselling Placement and Supervision Group 16
CSL566Case Conceptualisation and Assessment in Counselling3
CSL621Counselling Placement and Supervision Group 26
SHP632Applied Health Research Methods: From Research to Practice3
CSL576Introduction to Creative Arts Therapies in Counselling3
Specified Electives9 credit points
CSL620Counselling Research Project9
OR
CSL674Trauma Counselling3
OR
CSL677Counselling Research Project6
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Progress to entry requirements

Entry requirements

Completion of the Murdoch University Graduate Diploma in Counselling. OR Comparable programs from other institutions (e.g. Graduate Diploma in Counselling) may be eligible following assessment of previous course content by the Academic chair. Applicants from institutions other than Murdoch will also need to provide: Academic records – certificate of marks, Reference of suitability from previous institution, Provision of Unit guides to for assessment of content and learning outcomes of nominated units. The selection process for all applicants includes: Submission of a personal statement that details past accomplishments, future plans, and interests in completing the Master of Counselling; Curriculum Vitae; and Interview. A maximum of 24 credit points of recognised prior learning may be granted to those applications who have completed equivalent coursework. If the recognised prior learning is equivalent to 12 credit points or less an amended offer for the Graduate Diploma in Counselling may be made. Applications will be assessed by the Academic Chair and suitable applicants will be offered an interview.

English Requirements

You must meet a minimum standard in English to study at Murdoch, which for most courses can be demonstrated by providing evidence that you have completed Year 11 and 12 in Australia at any level if you are a domestic student, or through either English proficiency tests, university preparation courses, English language courses, previous tertiary study or vocational education.

Other Requirements

Students undertaking clinical placements in CSL 679 and CSL 621 must obtain a current police clearance, working with children check, and be up to date on certain immunisations per Murdoch University’s immunisation policy.

Advanced Standing

Everyone has a different path to university so if you’ve already completed formal or informal learning, you could receive advanced standing. Also known as recognition of prior learning, advanced standing can reduce the amount of study needed to complete your degree by giving you credit for certain units.

Formal learning can include previous study in higher education vocational education or adult and community education. Informal learning can include on the job learning, various kinds of work and life experience.

Find out more

 

This information applies to courses offered at our Australian campuses only. Courses offered at our Dubai  and Singapore campuses or delivered by Open Universities Australia may have different requirements.

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Fees and scholarships

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Scholarships

Make the most of your university experience by reducing the financial costs with a scholarship.

Whether you’re a high achiever or have experienced hardship, we offer a wide range of scholarships and awards to students from all walks of life. Explore our scholarships to find the ones you could be eligible for as a new Murdoch student as well as what's available throughout your degree.

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How much will it cost?

Instead of paying an overall course fee, you pay for the individual units you enrol in. The total course cost will vary depending on the units you choose.

Following your successful application, you’ll receive a Letter of Offer which will contain specific course and fee information.

If you are applying for an undergraduate course, you may be eligible for a Commonwealth Supported Place. Postgraduate programs are full fee paying, unless indicated otherwise in your Letter of Offer.

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How to apply

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Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:

  1. Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study)
  2. Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements

Course specific documents

  1. A typed, signed 750-word Personal Statement
  2. A recent Curriculum Vitae

Recommended documents (if applicable)

  1. Change of name documentation
  2. Marriage certificate
  3. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing

Your document checklist

Ready to apply? Before you start, make sure you have all the following documentation ready for a quick application.

Compulsory documents

  1. Evidence that you meet Academic entry and English language requirements such as:
    • Official Academic Transcripts and Certificates of Completion (of your highest academic study) both original and English translated versions.
    • Evidence of meeting the minimum English language requirements
  2. GTE documents (if applicable) - Check the GTE requirements page for further information
    • GTE Form 2
    • Personal Statement (SOP)
    • Up to date Curriculum Vitae
  3. A copy of your Passport

Course specific documents

  1. A typed, signed 750-word Personal Statement
  2. A recent Curriculum Vitae

Recommended documents

  1. A copy of your visa documents (if available)
  2. A copy of any past visa rejection documents (if applicable)
  3. Packaged offer letter (if applicable)
  4. Sponsorship documents if you study will be sponsored
  5. Unit outlines if applying for Advanced Standing
How to apply
how-to-apply

All fees are indicative and are provided as a guide only. The actual fees will depend on the individual units you enrol in. You should refer to your Letter of Offer for specific course and fee related information.

The first-year indicative fee is based on a typical full-time enrolment at Murdoch University of 24 credit points.

For domestic students, including Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens, the indicative fee is based on the applicable Commonwealth Supported fee.

Indicative fees for international students are based on applicable full fee paying rates.

The estimated, indicative fee covers tuition fees only, and certain additional fees and charges may apply, depending on the course and units you choose. It also does not take into account any scholarships or bursaries for which you may be eligible.

The estimated, indicative fee assumes no fee increases or indexation. Over time, fee increases or indexation may occur and will affect the estimate. If you are a full fee paying student, this may occur at the start of your second and each subsequent year of study. In the case of Commonwealth Supported students, this will occur for each new calendar year in line with Government policy.

All fee estimates are provided in Australian dollars.