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2 years full-time; up to 4 years part-time
Online Recorded, Online Live, Mixed Mode, Face to Face, Online Intensive, Live Intensive. Students will also be required to attend a minimum 166 hours of face-to-face learning, in addition to 100 hours of face-to-face work-integrated learning (professional practice), which includes 40 hours of client contact.
Full time / Part time / Online / On-campus / Blended · 2 hours per week (work component)
March (S1) | August (S2) | November (Summer)
Course Overview
Where You Can Study
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Quality & Recognition
Academic Regulator
TEQSA
Professional Body
Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA
Accreditation Status
AccreditedSkills Assessor
ACA / PACFA
Course Content
Foundations in Social Research, Writing, and Methods
Equips students with the skills to critically analyse and synthesise academic literature, construct evidence-based arguments, and master academic writing and research conventions. Explores a range of research methods and ethical considerations.
Faith and Purpose
Discover the foundations of faith and how it relates to one's worldview and purpose. Students explore the Christian story from Scripture and examine how faith shapes views on the meaning and purpose of life, the value of humanity and ideas of human flourishing.
Psychology of Emotion and Wellbeing
Introduces the concepts of emotional development and the social and cultural factors that influence emotions. Students learn to apply theoretical approaches to understand emotions and interact empathetically with clients.
Interpersonal Communication Skills
Equips students with foundational interpersonal communication skills including counselling micro-skills and conflict management responses within a culturally sensitive framework. Designed to meet PACFA and ACA training requirements.
Human Lifespan Development
Comprehensive examination of the developmental stages from conception to death, integrating multicultural and critical perspectives. Students explore major developmental milestones and develop strategies to assist others in navigating developmental life transitions.
Foundations of Professional Practice
Prepares students to work effectively with clients by learning advanced counselling micro-skills and techniques with an emphasis on applying evidence-based methods in counselling contexts, including responding to anxiety and stress.
Mental Health
Students learn to recognise symptoms of mental health conditions, deliver appropriate assistance, and understand the role of the community in supporting mental wellbeing, while developing skills in treating individuals with empathy, respect, and compassion.
Applied Counselling Theories
Comprehensive overview of historical and modern counselling methodologies, from Freudian psychoanalysis to contemporary approaches such as Solution Focused Therapy and Positive Psychology. Students critically evaluate different models and apply them across diverse therapeutic contexts.
Professional Accountability
Delivered in the same semester as supervised field placements, offering weekly group supervision. Focuses on real-world application through case conferences and peer review whilst preparing students to handle professional challenges ethically and effectively.
Ethical and Professional Issues
Helps students understand the ethical principles and legal requirements within their field, confidently manage complex ethical dilemmas, apply ethical decision-making models, and prioritise self-care and ongoing professional development.
Culturally and Socially Diverse Practice
Equips students to navigate and address the complexities of social and cultural diversity in professional settings, deepening their understanding of the impact of diversity on people and practice and fostering advanced self-awareness and reflective practices.
Professional Practice – Counselling
Consists of a 100-hour placement in a relevant organisation, allowing students to apply and refine key competencies in counselling, chaplaincy, or another people-helping organisation through professional supervision and self-reflective practice.
Solution Focused Therapy and Positive Psychology
Introduces Solution Focused Therapy (SFT) and Positive Psychology, focusing on the methodology of these strengths-based approaches and developing skills to implement these across various settings from individual to organisational applications.
Cognitive Behavioural Theories and Therapies
Equips students to address mental health challenges effectively by gaining proficiency in cognitive behavioural theories and therapies.
Common Questions
The Master of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the Christian Counsellors Association Australia (CCAA), and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA), with accreditation until 2028 (TEQSA). These accreditations ensure graduates are recognised for their professional competence and pave the way for professional support in the counselling profession wherever they choose to practice.
Yes. Students will be required to participate in individual and group supervision as part of this course, attend a minimum of 166 hours of face-to-face learning, and complete 100 hours of face-to-face work-integrated learning (professional practice), which includes 40 hours of client contact. Students who are unable to attend one of AC's campuses are encouraged to contact the Program Director to discuss options for completing the minimum face-to-face components.
The Master of Counselling takes 2 years full-time or up to 4 years part-time. The course consists of 16 subjects totalling 150 credit points (12 core subjects worth 120 credit points and 3 specialisation subjects worth 30 credit points).
The course is available via Online Recorded, Online Live, Mixed Mode, Face to Face, Online Intensive, and Live Intensive modes. Study locations include Online and Sydney (where some subjects are available on campus — students should check the timetable to confirm location and mode). Intakes are available in March (Semester 1), August (Semester 2), and November (Summer).
The fee is $3,150 per subject, and FEE-HELP is available to eligible domestic students. The course comprises 16 subjects in total.
Application
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Step 01
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Step 02
Submit Documents
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Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
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