Master of Counselling (Advanced)
Overview
The Master of Counselling provides students with a range of counselling skills that can be applied across work settings, client types and cultural groups. Students specialise in human services counselling, couple counselling or forensic counselling. The course is designed to meet the needs of those employed in the human services sector.
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Upgrade your skills
- Advanced skills to work therapeutically
- Demonstrate competence in assessment
- Written and oral communication skills
- Understanding of basic and advanced theoretical concepts
Stretch your career further
- Counselling in community health
- Educational counselling
- Guidance counselling
International student visa
International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.
Professional accreditations
The Singapore Association of Counselling recognizes the nested suite of courses as appropriate training in professional counselling. The course has been approved by the Singapore Government’s Council for Private Education, May be eligible for Australian Counselling Association, PACFA, and the Australian Association for Relationship Counsellors.
Why Swinburne?
Ranked top 250 in the world for the subject of psychology
Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 202383.5% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating
Ranked top 20% in Australia for 5-star PG Overall experience
Qualifications
This program is only available in Singapore.
The program is taught in English. If necessary, applicants will need to provide evidence of advanced proficiency in written and spoken English.
Applicants must also satisfy the following requirements:
- completion of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate degree or approved equivalent, or
- Graduate Certificate of Counselling
- Graduate Diploma of Counselling
Selection is based on an individual and the applicant’s suitability for the program as determined by academic and work experience, referee reports, and the stated reasons for wishing to undertake the program.
Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.
The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.
Admission requirements
Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.
English language requirements
Satisfactory completion of one of the following:
- IELTS overall band of 6.5 (Academic Module) with no individual band below 6.0
- Swinburne’s English for Academic Purposes (EAP 5 Advanced level) with overall 70%, all skills 65% or above
- or equivalent measures available at English language requirements.
Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?
A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.
Credit transfer
Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Recognition of prior learning
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Finding your fit
At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.
-
Graduate Diploma of Counselling
-
Graduate Certificate of Counselling
-
Graduate Certificate in Forensic Mental Health Nursing
How credit points work
To qualify for the Master of Counselling (Advanced), students must complete 200 credit points comprising:
Your units
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Core units | |
|
Professional Ethics and Supervision
Core unit |
PSC60011 |
|
Specific Skills in Counselling
Core unit |
PSC60012 |
|
Theories and Foundations of Counselling
Core unit |
PSC60013 |
|
Counselling Processes and Interventions
Core unit |
PSC60014 |
|
PSC70002 Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Disorders
Core unit |
PSC70002 |
|
Counselling Research Processes
Core unit |
PSC70009 |
|
Specific Approaches to Counselling
Core unit |
PSC70015 |
|
Advanced Interventions in Counselling and Group Processes
Core unit |
PSC70017 |
| Units of study | Unit code |
|---|---|
| Students must complete four specialisation units | |
|
Advanced Counselling Theories
Specialisation unit |
PSC80010 |
|
Professional Practice and Counselling Settings
Specialisation unit |
PSC80011 |
|
Advanced Counselling Placement
Specialisation unit |
PSC80004 |
|
Advanced Training in Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
Specialisation unit, Pick one only |
PSC80012 |
|
Advanced Training in Family Therapy Interventions
Specialisation unit, Pick one only |
PSC80005 |
Nested programs
The Master of Counselling (Advanced) forms the final stage in a nested suite of programs. Commence studying with the:
Your fees
Contact Executive Counselling and Training Academy
How do I pay my fees?
FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.
International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.
To pay your fees:
- log in to My Finances
- check your Australian bank account details are correct
- check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe
- pay using your preferred payment method.
Eligibility for FEE-HELP
You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:
- are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
- hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
- hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
- are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
- have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.
Scholarships
Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals.
Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.
When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.
Apply through an agent
Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.
Apply directly
This course is only available in Singapore to Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents, holders of a valid Singapore dependant’s pass, and holders of a valid Singapore work permit.
Application forms are available from the Executive Counselling and Training Academy, Singapore.
Find out more
Prospective applicants residing in Singapore should contact:
Executive Counselling and Training Academy Pte Ltd
1 Kay Siang Road #08-02
Singapore 248922
Tel: +65 6346 6411
Fax: +65 6334 2911
Email: info@ecta.edu.sg