Program Overview

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Master of Counselling – MCouns

The Master of Counselling at Massey University is a professional qualification accredited by the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC). It requires completion of the prerequisite Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance, or equivalent. Entry into the Master of Counselling involves a selection process.

Overview

• The Master of Counselling is a 240-credit master's degree that is in 2 parts.
• Part One (120 credits) is completed under the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance.
• Part Two (120 credits) is completed under the Master of Counselling.

Type of Qualification

• Master's degree
• Postgraduate study
• NZQF level 9

Time to Complete

• 2-4 years part-time
• Not available for full-time study

Where You Can Study

• Distance and online

International Students

• Not open to international students

Key Dates

• Admission application due dates
• Course enrolment dates for accepted students
• Semester dates

Study a Master of Counselling – MCouns

This professional qualification is designed to prepare students for a career as a counsellor and a provisional member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC). The programme aligns with Massey's commitment and responsibility to Te Tiriti o Waitangi.

A MCouns is a Good Fit If You

• Seek to become a credentialed counsellor working collaboratively with clients to assess needs
• Want to acquire the knowledge, attitudes, and behavioural competencies necessary for understanding and enhancing individuals, groups, and communities
• Want awareness of and expertise in drawing on a range of approaches to enable such objectives, including that of Te Ao Māori

Entry Requirements

Admission to Massey

• All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University

Specific Requirements

• The Master of Counselling is a selected-entry qualification
• To be considered for entry into the qualification, you must have successfully completed, with at least a B grade average:
  • A Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (endorsed in Rehabilitation Counselling), or an approved equivalent qualification
  • Have sufficient personal and professional experience to be likely to productively undertake and successfully complete the qualification

Application Requirements

• A verified copy of your academic transcripts
• A CV (including your education and employment experiences covering at least the last 5 years)
• A completed NZ Police Request and Consent form, along with 2 pieces of verified identification (1 of which must be photographic) from the list of acceptable forms of identification on the Checklist
• Copies (not originals) of police reports from other countries that you have lived in for more than 12 months over the past 10 years

Application Closing Date

• Applications close 31 October, for study commencing the following year

English Language Requirements

• To study this qualification, you must meet Massey University's English language standards

Selection Process

• The selection panel looks for readiness in relation to personal and interpersonal awareness, respect for diversity, a bicultural focus, attitudes demonstrating openness to growth and development within your learning
• The ability to participate in cooperative group learning and to maintain a professional attitude regarding engaging with peers
• Your overall capacity to fulfil the requirements of the professional development courses

Structure of the Master of Counselling

• The Master of Counselling is a 240-credit master's degree that is in 2 parts
• Part One (120 credits) is completed under the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance
• Part Two (120 credits) is completed under the Master of Counselling

Counselling Practice Placement

• You should provide indications of a likely agency/setting where you would be able to undertake your counselling placement within New Zealand
• Contact details, such as agency name, location, and contact person, should also be provided

Professional Supervision During Placement

• During your counselling practice placement, you will need to undertake a minimum of 20 individual professional supervision sessions with an approved supervisor

Research Project Course

• A Research Methodologies in Education course, or approved equivalent, is required in the first year of the Master of Counselling and is a pre-requisite for the Research Project course

Contact Course Workshops/Wānanga

• Completion of this qualification requires attendance at 2 compulsory contact campus-based workshops/wānanga in each of the 2 professional development years

Online Discussion Classes

• For the PD1 and PD2 courses, there will be separate online fortnightly discussion classes on relevant professional topics

Completion of the Master of Counselling

• The degree requires a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 4 years to complete
• It is awarded based on successful completion of all components, involving the 2 professional development courses, The Research Methodologies in Education, and the Research Project

Courses and Specialisations

Compulsory Courses

• Choose 120 credits from:
  • Professional Development in Counselling I (30 credits)
  • Professional Development in Counselling II (30 credits)
  • Research Project in Counselling (45 credits)
  • Research Methodologies in Education (15 credits)

Fees and Scholarships

2026 Tuition Fees

• Domestic students: $11,615
• International students: Not applicable

Student Loans (StudyLink) and Fees Free Scheme

• You may be eligible for a student loan to help towards paying your fees
• The New Zealand Government offers fees-free tertiary study for eligible domestic students

Scholarship and Award Opportunities

• Massey University Postgraduate Overseas Research Grant
• Massey University Postgraduate Scholarship
• Te Pitomata Grants

Careers and Job Opportunities

• Graduates of the Master of Counselling will be professionally prepared to contribute to counselling service delivery within a variety of wellness and mental health services
• These could be in school settings, community agencies, addiction/recovery centres, crisis programmes, residential programmes, or in private practice

Related Study Options

• Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Studies – PGDipCounGuidSt
  • Qualification: 120 credits
  • Location: Distance and online
  • Description: Develop and advance your knowledge and understanding of the dimensions of counselling and guidance.