Master of Counselling

Course Overview

Counselling has developed substantially over the past decade. It is increasingly being recognised for its efficacy in practice, and for its more practical educational and therapeutic approach. This has positioned counselling as a more attractive career option than its more science- and statistics-based mental health peers.

Combined with our industry-leading support services and teaching methods, AE fully supports you in your study of advanced counselling topics to develop your skills as a counselling professional.

The Master of Counselling is designed and developed by Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC); Higher Education Provider Number: PRV12083, CRICOS Provider Code: 04095M. The course is being delivered through third party arrangements between Acknowledge Education(AE) and Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC). AE delivers the course on behalf of AIPC.

The Master of Counselling teaches contemporary counselling topics and skills to an advanced level and is ideally suited to counsellors wanting to develop their knowledge and skills to a higher level, or professionals aspiring to pursue a career in this high-demand industry.

Course Structure

10 cores units plus 4 electives units. A trimester has a full-time study load of 3 units.

For units requiring on-campus learning, you attend 3 hours of lectures and tutorials per unit per week.

To support your on-campus learning, you are provided specifically written and easy-to-understand study materials, including study guide and readings, all purposefully designed to make your external studies as conducive to learning as possible.

You are provided with clear assessment instructions and guidelines, which are also accessible through our LMS (MOODLE). After completing your assessment, you upload it through MOODLE for marking.

The Online Library is also accessible through MOODLE, and provides you with easy access to counselling texts and resources to enhance your learning.

Some units require application of practical skills through role play. Role plays are conducted in tutorial sessions in a supportive and encouraging learning environment.

Units

Core

MC01 Introduction to Counselling
MC02 Counselling Process
MC03 Counselling Skills
MC04 Ethics & Reflective Practice
MC05 Counselling & Human Development
MC06 Cognitive Behavioural Approaches
MC07 Collaborative & Competency-Based Approaches to Counselling
MC08 Assessment & Case Conceptualisation
MC09 Research Methods in Counselling
MC10 Counselling Placement & Capstone Project

Electives

MC11 Counselling Interventions for Crisis & Trauma
MC12 Family Therapy
MC13 Counselling Children & Adolescents
MC14 Counselling for Alcohol & Other Drugs
MC15 Counselling for Loss & Grief
MC16 Counselling for Couples
MC17 Counselling Skills for the Digital World
MC18 Mental Health Counselling

Please note that Acknowledge Education offers a wide range of units each trimester. Not all units are available every trimester.

After successful completion of all units, the Master of Counselling is awarded by the Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors Pty Ltd (PRV12083).

Electives offered each trimester are at Acknowledge Education’s discretion and are completed online.

The Master of Counselling includes a work placement and capstone project where you undertake clinical practice in a work setting and complete a real-world counselling project. A counselling placement is essential in assisting the transition from application in a simulated setting to real practice. During your work placement, you will also complete a practical capstone project in a counselling environment. The practicum involves the completion of 12 hours work each week for 12 weeks along with 24 hours of individual counselling supervision with the workplace supervisor and group supervision by teleconference with the course lecturer.

Students can undertake their placement at Australian Counselling Services (ACS), APIC's own counselling clinic.

The Australian Counselling Service (ACS) is the clinical counselling division of the Australian institute of Professional Counsellors (AIPC). As a well-regarded provider of counselling education, AIPC established ACS to provide high-quality counselling services to clients from all backgrounds. ACS’s mission is to make quality mental health services available to everyone.

Please click here to view details.

Academic Requirements

You can apply for entry to the Master of Counselling if you have successfully completed an undergraduate (Bachelor’s) degree in any field

English Requirements

You must meet one of the following criteria:

• IELTS: Overall Band Score of 6.5 in the Academic IELTS with a minimum of 6.0 in each band, or

• TOEFL (iBT): Overall score 82 or better with a minimum of 20 in the writing band, or

• PTE Academic: Overall score of 58 with a minimum score of 50 in each band, or

• Cambridge English Scale score: 176. No less than 169 in any paper, or

• At least one year of University studies in Australia in the last two years, or

• Evidence of at least 5 years of studies in an English speaking country (Australia, New Zealand, UK, Canada, USA, South Africa or Ireland), or

• Australian Year 12 Certificate or qualification at Certificate IV or higher level completed in the last two years, or,

• Acknowledge Education English Test, or equivelent

Additional Requirements

You must also meet the following requirements before commencing fieldwork:

• COVID-19 Vaccination Record

• National Police Record Check and/or Police clearance from country of residence

• Working with Children Check

The Master of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA), Australia’s leading industry association for Counsellors.

Graduates of AIPC’s Master of Counselling can apply for membership with the ACA. ACA members also have the opportunity to be listed on the Australian Register of Counsellors and Psychotherapists (ARCAP).

Master of Counselling graduates are skilled to work in a diverse variety of mental health and community health settings, or to set up their own counselling practice. You’ll also be eligible to join the Australian Counselling Association, ensuring professional recognition of your qualification, as well as access to practice insurance.

Career options include:

• Drug and Alcohol Counsellor

• Family and Marriage Counsellor

• Rehabilitation Counsellor

• Grief and Loss Counsellor,

• Counsellors nec

• Traumatic Therapist

There has never been a better time for you to invest in your counselling skills and knowledge. The need for Counsellors has never been greater.

In Australia, employment for counsellors has risen strongly in previous years and is expected to grow another 14.2% over the five years to 2026 (www.labourmarketinsights.gov.au, 2022).

Working as a Counsellor, you will be doing what you were born to do, while contributing to meeting the needs of your community. There is nothing more fulfilling than helping those around you.

Main industries for counselling in Australia
Sources: labour market insights – Counsellors ANZSCO ID 2721
https://labourmarketinsights.gov.au/occupation-profile/counsellors?occupationCode=2721

Employment Chart

Source: ABS Labour Force Survey, ABS seasonally adjusted data to November 2021 and Jobs and Skills Australia Employment Projections to 2026.

Median full-time earnings are $1,652 per week, which is higher than the all jobs median ($1,593):
3 in 4 workers earn more than $1,476
1 in 4 earn more than $2,238
Median hourly earnings are $45, this is more than the all jobs median ($41 per hour).

Sources: Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average. Overtime hours: ABS, Characteristics of Employment, 2021. Full-time median earnings and median hourly earnings: ABS, Survey of Employee Earnings and Hours, May 2021. Compared to all jobs median.

Click here to download the course brochure.

February, May, September

View all dates here.

Graduates of the Master of Counselling may pursue roles such as drug and alcohol counsellor, family and marriage counsellor, relationship counsellor, grief and loss counsellor and trauma therapist. This Master’s degree develops advanced counselling skills to support work in a range of professional counselling settings.

Yes, a Master of Counselling is worth it if you’re looking to position yourself in senior roles with advanced qualifications. In general, counselling has become increasingly recognised for its practical and therapeutic approach to supporting individuals and the Master of Counselling focuses on developing applied counselling skills and knowledge, providing opportunities to build professional capability in a growing area of mental health and wellbeing practice.

The answer to that question will vary depending on your goals. The Master is suited to students who are interested in developing advanced counselling knowledge and skills or transitioning into a counselling-related career. It requires strong communication skills, empathy and a genuine interest in supporting others through structured and professional counselling approaches.

The Master of Counselling is an AQF Level 9 qualification that develops advanced counselling knowledge and practical skills. The course includes core and elective units, covering contemporary counselling approaches, ethics and professional practice to prepare you for work in counselling environments.

The Master of Counselling is typically completed over 2 years of full-time study, with intakes available in February, May and September. It includes a combination of core units, electives and practical learning components delivered across trimesters.

The Master of Counselling is designed and developed by Australian Institute of Professional Counsellors, a specialist counselling education provider. Acknowledge Education delivers the course on behalf of AIPC under a third-party arrangement. Upon successful completion, the qualification is awarded by AIPC.

Applications are made through Acknowledge Education and the course is delivered at the AIPC campus in Perth, located at 170 Wellington Street, East Perth (Boorloo). Learning includes a combination of on-campus sessions and online study components depending on the unit.

You'll study counselling theories, ethics, human development and a range of therapeutic approaches. Learning includes lectures, tutorials and practical activities such as role plays, helping you develop applied counselling skills in a supportive learning environment.

Yes, this counselling degree includes a work placement and capstone project, where you undertake supervised clinical practice in a real counselling environment. The practicum involves approximately 12 hours per week over 12 weeks, along with individual and group supervision to support your learning.

To support students, placement opportunities are available through Australian Counselling Services (ACS), AIPC’s own counselling clinic. This provides a structured and supportive environment, which can be particularly helpful for students who may find arranging placements independently challenging.

To apply, you must have successfully completed a recognised bachelor’s degree in any field. You must also meet English language requirements, which can be demonstrated through accepted tests or the Acknowledge Education English Test.

Yes, the Master of Counselling is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association. It also meets the minimum training standards for membership with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia, supporting professional recognition in the counselling field.