University of Canberra
Master of Counselling Online
- Delivery: Online
- Study Level: Postgraduate
- Duration: 24 months
- Course Type: Master's
Develop advanced counselling knowledge and practical skills through online study, supervised placement and experiential learning, with a focus on ethical practice, diversity, mental health and inclusive counselling.
Course overview
Turn your commitment to helping others into professional counselling capability. The University of Canberra’s Master of Counselling prepares you to support people through personal challenges, crisis and change, combining research-led learning with supervised experience. Develop the knowledge, practical skills and ethical judgement to provide respectful, inclusive counselling.
Build a foundation in counselling theory, therapeutic approaches and human diversity before progressing to mental health, loss, grief and trauma. Extend your practice through advanced counselling skills and creative approaches, developing a broader range of ways to respond to individual needs and circumstances.
Connect theory with experience through two placement units, working closely with clinical supervisors and learning alongside peers. A compulsory five-day intensive workshop provides face-to-face opportunities to practise your skills and engage with your learning community.
Accredited by the Australian Counselling Association, this professional qualification supports pathways into counselling roles across private practice, community services and other human service settings. Complete 12 units over two years part-time, combining online study with the intensive workshop and placements as you prepare for a career supporting others.
Key facts
March, 2027
May, 2027
July, 2027
August, 2027
October, 2027
What you will study
The Master of Counselling comprises 10 core units and two placement units.
Core units
- Counselling Theory and Approaches
- Core Counselling Skills
- Principles of Ethical Conduct in Counselling
- Diversity Inclusion Respect
- Introduction to Placement and Supervision
- Counselling Skills in Practice
- Loss, Grief and Trauma in Counselling
- Understanding Mental Health
- Next Level Counselling Skills
- Creative Practices in Counselling
Placement units
Professional Placement (Part A)
- Placement A - Putting it all into Practice PG
- Professional Placement (Part A) PG
- Professional Placement (Part B)
Professional Placement (Part B)
- Placement B - Masters Practicum PG
- Professional Placement (Part B) PG
Entry requirements
To be eligible for the Master of Counselling, applicants must:
- Have an undergraduate degree or postgraduate degree in any discipline;
- Fulfil non-standard English language requirements that are outlined in ‘Additional requirements’.
Additional admission requirements
Students are required to undergo a National Police check and relevant state-based checks (i.e. Working with Vulnerable People Check, Working With Children Check) as required by each placement agency in order to be accepted for each unit that includes a placement.
English language requirements
You can demonstrate your proficiency in a number of ways, including through an approved English language test or recognised past study taught and assessed in English.
The Master of Counselling requires an overall IELTS Academic score (or equivalent) of 7.0, with no band score below 7.0.
Outcomes
Learning outcomes
- Demonstrate ethical awareness and professional conduct in the context of the counselling profession and its obligations to diversity, communities and society.
- Synthesise literature in and across relevant fields to inform professional practice and support pathways to further learning.
- Communicate relevant professional knowledge effectively and respectfully to a variety of audiences and in different formats.
- Demonstrate and justify the selection of integrated and advanced discipline-specific theoretical knowledge and skill-based practice.
- Demonstrate advanced collaborative and leadership skills.
- Build on integrated technology literacies and capacities in professional practice.
Career outcomes
The Master of Counselling develops counselling skills applicable across a variety of organisations and counselling teams. Career opportunities include:
- Private practice counsellor
- Therapeutic case worker
- Financial counsellor
- Youth worker
- Community worker
- Family counsellor
- Child and adolescent counsellor
- Rehabilitation counsellor
- Couples and relationship counsellor
Fees and FEE-HELP
Indicative cost per unit in 2027: $3,750 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Indicative total cost in 2027: $45,000 (domestic full-fee paying place)
Student fees may vary depending on:
- The number of units studied.
- Recognition of prior learning.
- Leave from study.
- Unit availability.
- Annual changes to tuition fees.
You may also need to pay other fees and charges.
Student fees are subject to change. Contact the university directly to confirm current fees.
Eligible domestic full-fee paying students may be able to use FEE-HELP to defer some or all of their tuition fees.