Develop an understanding of the theory and practice of counselling with the Master of Counselling at VU.

You can gain experience in both ‘adult’ and ‘child and adolescent’ counselling, focusing your learning on:

• counselling and psychological theory
• counselling interventions and psychological therapies (for adults, children, adolescents and families)
• practical skills through industry-based learning and placement.

Accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Master of Counselling covers:

• insights into a range of presenting issues, including depression, anxiety, grief, loss and addictions
• an understanding of the ethics of counselling
• the completion of a practice-based minor thesis.

Please note: this is not a psychology course accredited by the Australian Psychological Society.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Australia's largest single registration body for Counsellors and Psychotherapists.

Careers in counselling

This course leads to careers in:

• counselling
• family support
• multicultural services
• community work
• school counselling
• welfare services
• palliative care
• refugee services
• youth work.

Course structure

To attain the Master of Counselling students will be required to complete 192 credit points in total consisting of the following:

• 132 credit points of Core studies; and
• 12 credit points of Elective studies; plus

Full-time Option

48 credit points of Research studies

Learning outcomes

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

1. Critically review the theoretical knowledge of counselling theory and its application;

2. Exhibit an awareness of psychological theory relevant to their workplace and interests;

3. Appraise and articulate of the range of counselling interventions and psychological therapies offered by helping professions;

4. Develop a proposal using appropriate research methods deploying critical reading within the counselling literature; and

5. Further develop an applied knowledge of professional practice.