Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MCounsPsych)
Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy (MCounsPsych)
Program Code
MCP
Program Faculty
Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences
Academic Year
2024
These Program Rules should be read in conjunction with the University's policies (https://www.adelaide.edu.au/policies).
Overview
This program prepares students for a career in counselling by introducing them to the theoretical foundations and practical skills required. The program consists of core and elective coursework and combines theoretical knowledge and practical skills in counselling and psychotherapy. The clinical skills specialisation has been designed to meet the training requirements for practitioners as outlined by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia and the Australian Counselling Association. In the second full-time year of the program (or equivalent) students must allow up to two days each week for Counselling Placement. The research specialisation provides a suitable background for students considering PhD candidacy.
The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is an AQF Level 9 qualification with a standard full-time duration of 2 years.
Program Learning Outcomes
- Identify and adhere to the highest standards of contemporary counselling practice and research.
- Locate, analyse, and apply relevant theory, research and practice-based literature to develop best practice approaches to working with contemporary clinical issues for clients from diverse socio-cultural and ethnic backgrounds.
- Apply effective, creative and innovative therapeutic solutions to presenting client issues, including with indigenous individuals and communities.
- Work collaboratively with other health professionals to promote and contribute to the well-being of clients and communities.
- Exhibit and employ skills of the highest order in interpersonal understanding, communication, teamwork.
- Demonstrate commitment to continual professional and personal growth, through engagement with professional bodies, critical self-monitoring, and appropriate supervision.
- Identify and respond ethically to the socio-political and cultural context of counselling clients, valuing difference and promoting individual and community well-being.
- Undertake a leader or advocacy role in the counselling community, and for the continued development of the counselling profession.
Conditions
Condition of Enrolment
English language requirements apply for international students.
Criminal History Clearance: Students who undertake clinical placements, internships or research projects involving children or people who are ill, elderly or vulnerable are required to demonstrate clearance by producing a National Criminal History Record Check. In addition, international students may also be required to obtain a certificate from their home country.
Clearance Certificates: All students intending to do placement(s), must provide current Department of Human Services clearances (DHS-Aged Care, DHS-Vulnerable Persons, DHS-Working With Children Check). Additional requirements around Through Their Eyes Training and RRHAN training will be provided prior to enrolment in a clinical placement.
Immunisation: Prior to any clinical placement, students will need to provide evidence of immunisation status. Currently the requirements for students include COVID first, second and third (booster) vaccines (for all placements) and the current Influenza vaccine (only mandatory for placement in an Aged Care facility).
Interruption of program: Students must apply for permission from the Program Director or Delegate before taking a Leave of Absence. Any extension of the leave without approval will result in the loss of place in the program but an application may be made to be re-admitted to the program subject to the admission procedures in place at the time.
Program Maximum Duration: As specified in Table 1 of the Coursework Academic Programs Policy, this program must be completed within a Maximum Duration which includes any periods of non-enrolment, leave of absence or approved study at other institutions for credit towards a Program.
Academic Program Rules for Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy
There shall be a Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy.
Qualification Requirements
To qualify for the degree of Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, the student must complete satisfactorily a program of study with a combined total of not less than 48 units in either a Clinical Practice or Research specialisation.
Major
-
Clinical Practice Specialisation
The Clinical Practice specialisation comprises of:
1. Core courses to the value of 39 units
2. Elective courses to the value of 9 unitsCore Courses
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 5005 Counselling Skills 1 3 PUB HLTH 5006 Ethics in the Counselling Workplace 3 PUB HLTH 5007 Attachment Processes in the Therapeutic Relationship 3 PUB HLTH 5008 Counselling and Psychotherapy Theories 3 PUB HLTH 6018 Counselling Skills 2 3 PUB HLTH 6019 Overview of Mental Health 3 PUB HLTH 6021 Nature of Grief 3 PUB HLTH 7003 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy 3 PUB HLTH 7005 Narrative Approaches to Counselling 3 PUB HLTH 7010 Mindfulness-based Counselling Applications 3 PUB HLTH 7020A Counselling Placement IA 0 PUB HLTH 7020B Counselling Placement IB 6 PUB HLTH 7025 Trauma Informed Practice 3 Elective Courses
Courses to the value of up to 9 units may be taken from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7002 Emotion Focused Therapy 3 PUB HLTH 7013 Relationship Counselling 3 PUB HLTH 7019 Expressive Therapies: Creative Arts in Counselling 3 PUB HLTH 7024 Counselling of Children and Adolescents 3 PUB HLTH 7033 Trauma-informed counselling for CALD and Indigenous populations 3 PUB HLTH 7078 Qualitative Research Methods In Health 3 PUB HLTH 7300OL Developing a Novel Research Question 3 or
Courses to the value of up to 9 units may be taken from the following:
Other postgraduate coursework courses offered by the University or another university which the Faculty approves in lieu of elective courses.
-
Research Specialisation
The Research specialisation comprises of:
1. Core courses to the value of 42 units (including research equivalent courses to the value of 12 units in the form of a research dissertation)
2. Elective courses to the value of 6 unitsCore Courses
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 5005 Counselling Skills 1 3 PUB HLTH 5006 Ethics in the Counselling Workplace 3 PUB HLTH 5007 Attachment Processes in the Therapeutic Relationship 3 PUB HLTH 5008 Counselling and Psychotherapy Theories 3 PUB HLTH 6018 Counselling Skills 2 3 PUB HLTH 6019 Overview of Mental Health 3 PUB HLTH 6021 Nature of Grief 3 PUB HLTH 7010 Mindfulness-based Counselling Applications 3 PUB HLTH 7078 Qualitative Research Methods In Health 3 PUB HLTH 7300OL Developing a Novel Research Question 3 and
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7011 Dissertation Full time 12 or
All of the following courses must be completed:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value PUB HLTH 7211A Dissertation Part 1 0 PUB HLTH 7211B Dissertation Part 2 12 Elective Courses
Courses to the value of up to 6 units may be taken from the following:
Subject/Catalogue Course Title Unit Value HEALTH 7000 Ethical Challenges in Modern Health Care 3 PUB HLTH 7002 Emotion Focused Therapy 3 PUB HLTH 7003 Cognitive Behaviour Therapy 3 PUB HLTH 7005 Narrative Approaches to Counselling 3 PUB HLTH 7013 Relationship Counselling 3 PUB HLTH 7019 Expressive Therapies: Creative Arts in Counselling 3 PUB HLTH 7024 Counselling of Children and Adolescents 3 PUB HLTH 7025 Trauma Informed Practice 3 PUB HLTH 7091 Public Health Evaluation and Economics 3 or
Courses to the value of up to 6 units may be taken from the following:
Other postgraduate coursework courses offered by the University or another university which the Faculty approves in lieu of elective courses.