Course Overview

About This Course

Are you passionate about helping people navigate life's challenges and supporting their wellbeing? ECU's Master of Counselling equips you with the knowledge, skills and experience to work effectively as a professional counsellor across diverse settings. You'll learn to engage clients through a person-centred approach, while exploring a range of counselling theories and techniques including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural and humanistic models. You'll also study specialist areas such as counselling children and adolescents, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, counselling in a digital world, mental health, and trauma-informed practice. Along the way, you'll examine the ethical and professional issues counsellors face, particularly in today's rapidly changing and increasingly digital environment. Practical learning is at the heart of this course. You'll complete 220 hours of professional placement in an agency setting, including supervised practice. Here you'll plan, implement and evaluate counselling sessions, collaborate within interprofessional teams, and reflect on your own practice developing the confidence and competence you'll need to practice as a counsellor. By graduation, you'll be prepared to deliver flexible, ethical and culturally responsive counselling to individuals, families and communities.

Where You Can Study

Available Locations

ECU City Campus, Perth, Western Australia

500 Wellington Street, Perth, WA 6000

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Eligibility

Entry Requirements

General Requirements

All applicants are required to submit an academic transcript, two referee reports, and a personal statement about motivations to complete the course, and attend an interview.
Academic admission requirements (Band 6) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- Bachelor degree; or
- Equivalent prior learning including at least five years relevant professional experience.
English Language requirements (Band 4) may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:
- IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0);
- Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page;
- Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent);
- Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years relevant professional experience; or
- Other tests, courses or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page.

Career & Study Pathways

Where this takes you

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Counselling are prepared for professional roles across a wide range of community, health and human services. Counsellors support individuals, families and groups to address issues such as grief and loss, difficulties in relationships, addiction support, trauma recovery and child & adolescent wellbeing. Employment opportunities exist in areas such as schools, universities, community organisations, health and mental health services, family support services, and government or not-for-profit agencies. Many graduates also choose to establish their own private practice, offering specialist counselling services tailored to the needs of their clients. Possible job titles include: Counsellor, Mental Health Counsellor, Child and Adolescent Counsellor, Family and Relationship Counsellor, School Counsellor, Trauma Counsellor, Addiction Counsellor, Grief and Loss Counsellor, Youth Counsellor, Online/Digital Counsellor.

Quality & Recognition

Accreditation & Migration

Academic Regulator

TEQSA

Professional Body

Australian Counselling Association (ACA) / PACFA

Accreditation Status

Accredited

Skills Assessor

ACA / PACFA

Course Content

Units of Competency

All Units11 units

COU6571

Foundations of Counselling Practice

COU6572

Theories and Techniques in Counselling

COU6573

The Role of the Counsellor

Students can exit with a Graduate Certificate in Counselling following successful completion of the first three units.

COU6574

Ethics and Counselling Practice

COU6575

Counselling in a Digital World

COU6576

Mental Health Counselling

COU6577

Trauma-Informed Counselling

COU6578

Counselling at the Cultural Interface: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and Practice

COU6579

Child and Adolescent Counselling

COU6580

Advanced Theories and Techniques in Counselling

COU6581

Professional Field Placement

40 credit points. Provides an opportunity for the student to receive supervised practice in an agency setting.

Common Questions

Frequently Asked Questions

How many placement hours are required and what does the placement involve?

Students are required to complete 220 hours of professional placement in an agency setting, including supervised practice. During placement, students will plan, implement and evaluate counselling sessions, collaborate as part of an interprofessional team, engage reflectively in supervision, and adhere to agency protocols, policies and procedures.

Is the Master of Counselling accredited by a professional body?

Yes, the Master of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Can I exit the course early with a lesser qualification?

Yes. Students can exit with a Graduate Certificate in Counselling following successful completion of the first three units: Foundations of Counselling Practice (COU6571), Theories and Techniques in Counselling (COU6572), and The Role of the Counsellor (COU6573).

What clearances are required before undertaking the Professional Field Placement?

Students will be required to apply for and supply current Working with Children Check (WWCC) cards and police clearances as part of their eligibility to enrol in the Professional Field Placement unit.

What are the estimated fees for the Master of Counselling?

The estimated first year indicative fee for domestic students is AUD $26,000, and for international students it is AUD $39,000.

Application

How to Apply

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!

Processing time: Offer letter issued within approximately 1 business days.

Course Snapshot

Salary, careers & skills

Typical Salary

Entry-level (0-2 years)AUD $60,000 to $75,000 per year

Early Career (2-5 years)AUD $75,000 to $90,000 per year

Mid-Level (5-10 years)AUD $90,000 to $105,000 per year

Career Paths

Mental Health CounsellorYouth Counsellor / School CounsellorFamily and Relationship CounsellorDrug and Alcohol Counsellor (AOD Counsellor)Trauma Counsellor

Key Skills

Active listening and reflective communicationBuilding therapeutic rapport and trust with clientsApplying counselling theories and frameworks (CBT, person-centred, psychodynamic, narrative)Crisis intervention and risk assessmentTrauma-informed and culturally safe practice

Full Course Overview

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