Master of Clinical Counselling
Why study the Master of Clinical Counselling at UNE?
The Master of Clinical Counselling includes a clinical placement arranged by the student. The course is offered by distance education in a blended learning format. Students will develop an ability to think critically about their clinical practice and consolidate ways of integrating theory and practice.
Note:
1) Students are not allowed to be paid while on clinical placement, candidates may need to work additional hours or take unpaid leave in order to complete the clinical placement.
2) Trimester 1 commencement only available for (Rule (a)): Part-time only
3) Trimester 3 (Rule (b)): Part-time Only
Career Opportunities
Counsellors work in a variety of community settings. Counselling positions cover telephone counsellors, career counsellors, drug and alcohol counsellors, family and marriage counsellors, rehabilitation counsellors, student counsellors and financial counsellors.
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Degree Snapshot
DURATION
1 Year Full-timeUp to 4 years Part-time
FEES
CSP (quotas apply) or Full Fee2013 STUDY OPTIONS
Armidale
Trimester 1, Off CampusTrimester 2, Off Campus
Trimester 3, Off Campus
How to Apply
Domestic Students
All domestic students apply direct to UNE. This course is only available off-campus (distance education).
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| Official Abbreviation | MClinCouns | ||||||||||||
| Course Type | Postgraduate | ||||||||||||
| Commencing |
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| Course Duration |
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| Fees | CSP (quotas apply) or Full Fee | ||||||||||||
| Total Credit Points | 96 | ||||||||||||
| Benefits | This award is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). |
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| How to apply |
All domestic students apply direct to UNE. This course is only available off-campus (distance education). For more information, click here |
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| Intensive Schools | Mandatory intensive schools are a requirement of some of the units in this course. See Unit Catalogue for specific requirements. |
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| Entry Requirements | A candidate shall: (a) hold the Master of Counselling (72cp), post-2010, from the University of New England; or (b) hold the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care (48cp) from the University of New England; and (c) have one year, or its equivalent, of relevant counselling or counselling related professional practice within the last five years; and (d) provide with their application: a curriculum vitae of not more than five pages highlighting counselling-related information and including supporting documentation as required by the School. |
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| Additional Requirements | Criminal Records Check and Working with Children Check: Some counselling agencies have a policy that all staff, including students undertaking placements, in positions dealing with children and other vulnerable people must undergo a criminal record check and a Working with Children Check. It will be the responsibility of the student to organise these checkes. The process will be managed by the UNE clinical placement manager. |
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| Practical, Clinical or Work Experience | Practical experience is an integral part of counselling education and a requirement of the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA). Students will be supervised by qualified, experienced counsellors. The internship will involve 40 hours of direct client contact, 10 hours of agency supervision, and a further 150 hours in agency-based activities. Students will be required to organise their own unpaid placement, including appropriate supervision, and have it approved by the unit coordinator. Prerequisites must be met before permission will be given to enrol. Consult with the unit coordinator for details. |
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| Advanced Standing | Candidates admitted under Rule (a) or (b) will not receive any advanced standing, as this has been taken into account in the nested award structure. |
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| Academic Colours |
Peony Red (BCC37) |
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| Further Information | 
You can find instant answers to many of your questions or contact UNE directly via AskUNE |
Admission to Candidature
A candidate shall:
(a) hold the Master of Counselling (72 cp), post-2010, from the University of New England; or
(b) hold the Graduate Diploma in Counselling for Health and Social Care (48 cp) from the University of New England; and
(c) have one year, or its equivalent, of relevant counselling or counselling related professional practice within the last five years; and
(d) provide with their application: a curriculum vitae of not more than five pages highlighting counselling-related information and including supporting documentation as required by the School.
Advanced Standing
Candidates admitted under Rule (a) or (b) will not receive any advanced standing, as this has been taken into account in the nested award structure
Period of Candidature
For candidates admitted under Rule (a) the period of candidature shall be:
(a) up to two years as a part-time candidate.
For candidates admitted under Rule (b) the period of candidature shall be:
(a) 1 year as a full-time candidate;
(b) up to four years as a part-time candidate.
Course Requirements
To qualify for the award, and except with the permission of the School, a candidate must pass units to the value of 96 credit points.
Program of Study
Candidates shall complete an approved program of study as outlined in the Course Schedule comprising:
For candidates admitted under Rule (a)
| Course Structure | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Block Advanced Standing | 72 cps |
| Core Units | 24 cps |
| Total | 96 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
For candidates admitted under Rule (b)
| Course Structure | Credit Points |
|---|---|
| Block Advanced Standing | 48 cps |
| Core Units | 36 cps |
| Listed Units | 12 cps |
| Total | 96 cps |
To view complete Program of Study click here
Award of Degree
Candidates who meet the course requirements shall be awarded the Master of Clinical Counselling.
Exit Pathways
Candidates who discontinue their studies in the course may be eligible to exit with the Master of Counselling on completion of HSMH421, HSMH422, HSMH423, HSMH424, HSCS452, HSCS521, HSCS535, HSCS538, EHPS590 plus two six credit point Listed Units.
Candidates who apply to discontinue their studies and exit with the Master of Counselling must apply for re-admission and will be subject to current course requirements of the Master of Clinical Counselling.
Academic Progress
Candidates are referred to the University's General Rules Policy on Academic Progress.
A candidate who fails HSCS640 twice shall not be permitted to re-enrol in the unit without the permission of the Head of School and Executive Dean.
A candidate who breaches the current Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) Code of Ethics will be excluded from the degree.
Additional Requirements
Criminal Records Check: and Working with Children Check; Some counselling agencies have a policy that all staff, including students undertaking placements in positions dealing with children and other vulnerable people must undergo a criminal record check and a working with children check. It will be the responsibility of the student to organise these checks. The process will be managed by the UNE clinical placement manager.
Improper Conduct
Candidates are referred to the Student Coursework Plagiarism and Academic Misconduct Rules.
| Course Aims |
This course aims to provide a practical training in professional counselling. Graduates will have a solid background in mental health practice and will fulfil the competencies as laid out in the National Practice Standards for the Mental Health workforce as part of the National Mental Health Strategy 2002. |
| Learning Outcomes |
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
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| Graduate Attributes |
Knowledge of a Discipline
Knowledge of the discipline of counselling will be taught through guided commentaries and specific questions based on them, set readings, and podcasts. It will be assessed and practised through various types of assessments.
Communication Skills
The basis of counselling is having good communication skills. Students will be taught to listen well and to communicate clearly with their clients. In written work students will communicate, using well-organised and logical arguments, the ideas they have developed in studying the various units within the program. The assessment process will focus on the communication skills of the student and how well they articulate knowledge in the area of counselling theory and practice. Students will also participate in online discussions and so practise communicating their ideas with other students.
Global Perspectives
The Master of Clinical Counselling exposes students to various international issues and is designed to improve students' awareness of their status as global citizens. Students learn a multicultural approach to the study of counselling and psychotherapy.
Information Literacy
Students will be assessed on their skills in obtaining appropriate information for the written assignments, using books, journals and online sources.
Life-Long Learning
Students will be encouraged to see their development as counsellors and supervisors as part of a lifelong learning process. They will be encouraged to reflect on their clinical practice, have ongoing supervision, and continually improve their skills.
Problem Solving
Students apply their skills of information literacy to develop a written argument about a particular issue. Assessment tasks are designed to elicit the student's own responses to a particular problem, in order to help students to develop critical and creative thinking. Students discuss case studies and report on the approach that they intend to take to help the client to solve their particular problems or issues.
Social Responsibility
Students are taught to consider their social responsibility. The practice of counselling is steeped in the values of social justice and students will be assessed in terms of their ability to help others whatever their circumstances.
Team Work
Teamwork is practised at Intensive Schools, via the online environment, and during the practicum. Students are taught this through unit materials and assessment tasks and through the online group activity, in considering practice and ethical issues and dilemmas.
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