Master of Counselling Practice

Program summary

Program title: Master of Counselling Practice
Award abbreviation: MCounsPrac
Degree type: coursework
Study mode: on campus
Duration: 3 years part-time. Program only available part-time.
Commence: Semester 1
Fee type 2012: postgraduate coursework places
Total courses: 12
USC program code: AR709
CRICOS code: Not available to international students on a Student Visa.

Enhance your clinical practice skills as a professional counsellor.

The Master of Counselling Practice is an innovative program that blends flexible delivery modes with contemporary teaching and learning practices to advance professional counsellors in their knowledge and practice of counselling. The program is well suited to people who work with individuals, families, groups and communities in various fields and circumstances, such as loss and grief issues, mental health and wellbeing, domestic violence, sexual abuse, drug and alcohol issues, relationship issues and others.

Through practical training you gain advanced knowledge, skills and experience in professional counselling, family therapy, supervision, and ethical practice competencies in a live clinical context.  Courses are integrated between counselling and mental health, counselling and addictions, engaging effectively with Aboriginal people, child, adolescent and family relationship counselling, and counselling interventions focusing on experiential practices.

You undertake your clinical practice component in USC’s Community Counselling Centre and complete up to 200 hours of counselling and supervision tasks as a member of a reflecting team. These counselling and supervision sessions encompass a variety of approaches and paradigms, and your team-based clinical practice is carefully supervised. You also complete an industry research project to analyse your counselling practice in the clinic, and prepare an article on a counselling issue related to your practice framework.

As a graduate, you can expect to find career opportunities in human service settings such as health, welfare, community services, human resources, private practice counselling, education, child and family services, child protection services, family counselling and rehabilitation counselling.

The program is offered to those with an approved three-year undergraduate degree in the discipline, who wish to acquire advanced professional and counselling skills. Applicants are required to complete an additional questionnaire and attend an interview.

Requirements for placements

You must hold a current Blue Card # before starting your first supervised counselling experience. Blue Card applications should be submitted with your application to USC. If you do not submit an application, or apply but are ineligible, you will not be able to undertake the professional experience components of the program.

# Blue Cards are issued by the Commission for Children and Young People and Child Guardian. More information on Blue Cards and how to apply.

Professional recognition

Graduates will be eligible to apply for membership with the Queensland Counsellors Association; Queensland Association for Family Therapists; Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA); and Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).

If you elect to follow the Mental Health or the Addiction stream, you will also be eligible to apply for membership with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) Register of Mental Health Practitioners; and Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP) Sub-Register of Mental Health Practitioners.

Enquiries

Faculty of Arts and Business
Tel: +61 7 5430 1259

Program Leader
Neil Mellor
Tel: +61 7 5430 1265
Email: NMellor@usc.edu.au

Admission requirements

A student entering the Master of Counselling Practice will normally be required to hold an approved 3-year degree in the discipline. Entry by non-graduates who have extensive relevant industry experience may be considered on a case-by-case basis by the Executive Dean, Faculty of Arts and Business.

Applicants are required to complete an additional questionnaire and attend an interview.

Refer also to the University's English language proficiency requirements.

Study Plan

This Study Plan is valid from Study Period 1, 2011.

For students who commenced study in this program prior to Study Period 1, 2011:

• Find the Student Handbook for the semester in which you commenced.
• Select the program in which you are enrolled.
• Scroll down to your relevant Program Structure.

Program requirements and notes

• Prior to entry into the program, applicants will be required to submit their current Suitability Card (Blue Card).
• Students are required to successfully complete the 12 required courses as listed below.
• This Program only available part time.
• Not available to international students on a Student Visa.

Year 1

Required courses: (4)

Year 2

Required courses: (4)

Year 3

Required courses: (4)

TOTAL UNITS 144

Why choose USC? 

It’s the best of both worlds. Students choose USC for its industry focused degrees, experienced academics, student support, overseas study opportunities and relaxed campus atmosphere.

Am I eligible for university study?

Find out what qualifications you need to apply for entry into your proposed study program. If you don’t have the required qualifications, there may be alternative pathways you can take to gain entry to USC.

If you have previously undertaken university or TAFE studies, you may be eligible for credit transfer. 

If English is not your first language, you need to meet the minimum English language requirements for your chosen program. This requirement applies to all students intending to study at the University.

How do I submit an application?

• Current Year 12 students—regardless of whether you are OP-eligible or not—apply for university using the Twelve to Tertiary (TTT) application service on the QTAC website
• Non-school leavers use the Apply by Web (ABW) online application service on the QTAC website
• Postgraduate applicants apply directly to USC
• International students apply directly to USC International
• All other applicants

When should I apply?

Check if the program is offered in Semester 1 and / or Semester 2, then follow the deadlines on the application calendar. The academic calendar provides all the key dates you need to know as a student at USC.

What happens next?

Accept your offer with QTAC (if applicable) and USC, enrol in your classes and attend Orientation.

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to apply:

• Online: find answers to commonly asked questions in the Student FAQs
• Email: information@usc.edu.au
• Phone: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
• In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business

As a USC student, you will need to refer to your study plan to enrol in the appropriate courses each semester or session.

Find out more about how to enrol or follow these steps:

1. Check the open enrolment dates and the academic calendar for key dates
2. Refer to your Study Plan to plan your courses for the study period
3. Find your courses and decide on your classes in the class timetable
4. Log on to USC Central and enrol in courses and classes
5. Register your major or minor with your faculty (if applicable)
6. Apply for credit transfer or cross-institutional study (if applicable)
7. Pay required study fees by the fee due date

Useful links

• Getting Started Guide
• USC Central Guide
• Common enrolment problems
• Class timetables
• Academic Calendar
• Faculty major and minor offerings
• Student-related policies, plans and procedures
• Contact Student Administration

Where can I ask more questions?

If you have more questions about how to enrol:

• Online: Refer to the USC Central Guide
• Email: information@usc.edu.au
• Phone: Student Administration on +61 7 5430 2890
• In person: Student Central, Building C

If you have questions about your program:

• Contact the Faculty of Arts and Business