24 months (full time)
Delivered mostly online with some residential schools at national campuses.
Online, Full-time, Part-time
Course Overview
Eligibility
Career & Study Pathways
Course Content
Introduction to Counselling
Introduces students to counselling as a profession, including the development of the counselling profession, its relationship to other professions and its future directions. Topics include characteristics of effective counsellors; the role of the therapeutic relationship and therapeutic techniques; counselling in a culturally diverse society, and ethical issues in counselling practice.
Counselling Process and Skills I
Focuses on stages of counselling common across therapeutic approaches, including development of the therapeutic relationship; clarifying concerns; goal-setting; applying techniques and interventions, termination and evaluation. Students reflect upon and analyse the effect of the counsellor's Self on the counselling process.
Counselling Process and Skills II
Introduces students to the foundational practical skills of counselling. Students develop an understanding of the key therapeutic conditions required to facilitate change and the role counselling skills play in establishing and maintaining those conditions. Students learn through direct teaching, demonstration and supervised practice.
Ethics and Reflective Practice
Introduces students to ethical principles informing counselling practice and ethical dilemmas counsellors face. Students reflect upon their own beliefs, values, attitudes and biases, evaluate counselling scenarios, and develop reflective practice skills. Also examines the role of supervision in ensuring ethical professional practice.
Counselling and Human Development
Examines physical, cognitive, emotional, social and moral human development across the lifespan. Students identify developmental issues that occur as part of normal human development, as well as issues when development is impaired or delayed, and evaluate various theories of development.
Cognitive Behavioural Approaches
Provides an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations, concepts, processes and techniques of cognitive-behavioural counselling approaches. Students learn to use these approaches in counselling sessions and evaluate the differences, strengths, weaknesses and applications of each.
Collaborative & Contemporary Approaches
Provides an in-depth understanding of the theoretical foundations, concepts, processes and techniques of collaborative and competency-based counselling approaches. Students learn to use these approaches in counselling sessions and evaluate the differences, strengths, weaknesses and applications of each.
Therapeutic Planning & Process
Covers principles and skills of assessment and case conceptualisation. Students learn to distinguish issues suitable for counselling intervention, use assessment tools and methods, and conceptualise cases and plan treatment from multiple theoretical perspectives.
Research Methods in Counselling
Students learn the role research plays in professional counselling practice, review quantitative and qualitative research methods, apply basic statistical procedures and interpret statistical information. Particular attention is paid to qualitative research designs such as narrative analysis and single-case studies.
Counselling Placement and Capstone Project
Students gain experience in a supervised counselling environment, spending a total of 168 hours on placement including 12 hours of agency supervision. The Capstone Project allows students to synthesise and integrate knowledge and skills into counselling practice.
Counselling Interventions for Crisis & Trauma
Examines the effects of crisis and trauma on individuals and families. Explores the relationship between stress, crisis and trauma, and covers interventions addressing both immediate and longer term effects of traumatic events, including vicarious traumatisation.
Family Therapy
Introduces theoretical concepts and intervention strategies associated with contemporary family therapy. Students gain knowledge in areas relating to family dynamics, diversity and develop specific skills to guide family therapy practice.
Counselling Children & Adolescents
Focuses on the theory and practice of counselling with children and adolescents. Students learn to respond appropriately to this client group and address specific issues including behavioural problems, family conflict, self-harm, identity issues, abuse and violence, and school issues such as bullying.
Counselling for Alcohol and Other Drugs
Introduces theories of substance misuse and addiction, including intervention strategies to address addiction issues. Covers the relationship between social, biological and psychological factors of addiction, motivational interviewing, and relapse prevention strategies.
Counselling for Loss and Grief
Explores the experience of loss and grief and introduces conceptual models of the grieving process as well as counselling approaches for clients experiencing loss and grief. Students learn to assess and respond to complicated and traumatic grief.
Counselling for Couples
Introduces students to counselling approaches for couples.
Common Questions
You can apply for entry to the Master of Counselling if you have successfully completed an undergraduate (Bachelor) degree in any field — no specific undergraduate discipline is required.
Yes. The Master of Counselling has attained industry accreditation through the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), the leading industry body for Counsellors in Australia. Upon graduation, you automatically qualify for membership to the ACA, supporting your pathway to becoming a Registered Counsellor.
The course is delivered mostly online with some residential schools at AIPC's national campuses. It can be studied full-time or part-time, with a full-time duration of 24 months structured across 4 trimesters and 14 units.
The program is approved for FEE-HELP, a loan scheme for eligible students to pay their tuition fees. You can also pay your subject fees direct to the institute each trimester, use split payments (combining personal payment and FEE-HELP), or pay via Credit Card or Direct Debit.
Students undertake a Counselling Placement and Capstone Project (MC10) where they spend a total of 168 hours on placement in a supervised counselling environment, including 12 hours of agency supervision. The accompanying Capstone Project allows students to synthesise and integrate knowledge and skills gained throughout the course into counselling practice.
Application
Three simple steps to get enrolled
Step 01
Enquire
Click "Enquire Now" and tell us a little about yourself. It's free and takes 2 minutes.
Step 02
Submit Documents
Our team will guide you on exactly which documents to prepare and submit.
Step 03
Get Enrolled
Receive your offer letter and confirm your enrolment. Welcome to the course!
Honestly I was lost when I first started looking at Australian colleges. There are just too many options and every agent gives you different info. A friend told me about FindTheCourses and within a week I had shortlisted 3 programs that actually matched my budget and visa situation. My advisor Sanjay was super helpful — never felt like I was being pushed into anything.
Priya Sharma
India
Master of Nursing · Griffith University
