Program Overview

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Master of Counselling

The Master of Counselling at ECU equips students with the knowledge, skills, and experience to work effectively as professional counsellors across diverse settings.

Course Overview

ECU's Master of Counselling is designed for individuals passionate about helping people navigate life's challenges and supporting their wellbeing. The course focuses on engaging clients through a person-centred approach, exploring various counselling theories and techniques, including psychodynamic, cognitive-behavioural, and humanistic models.

Course Structure

The course structure includes:

• Foundations of Counselling Practice
• Theories and Techniques in Counselling
• The Role of the Counsellor
• Ethics and Counselling Practice
• Counselling in a Digital World
• Mental Health Counselling
• Trauma-Informed Counselling
• Counselling at the Cultural Interface: Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People and Practice
• Child and Adolescent Counselling
• Advanced Theories and Techniques in Counselling
• Professional Field Placement

Australian Qualifications Framework (AQF) Level

This course has been accredited by ECU as an AQF Level 9 Masters Degree (Coursework) Award.

Course Code

The course code for the Master of Counselling is O18.

Entry Requirements

ECU admission and English language requirements apply. Academic admission requirements may be satisfied through completion of a Bachelor degree or equivalent prior learning, including at least five years of relevant professional experience. English competency requirements may be satisfied through completion of one of the following:

• IELTS Academic Overall band minimum score of 6.5 (no individual band less than 6.0)
• Bachelor degree from a country specified on the English Proficiency Bands page
• Successfully completed 0.375 EFTSL of study at postgraduate level or higher at an Australian higher education provider (or equivalent)
• Where accepted, equivalent prior learning, including at least five years of relevant professional experience
• Other tests, courses, or programs defined on the English Proficiency Bands page

Fees

• Domestic fee paying: estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $26,000
• International students: estimated 1st year indicative fee AUD $39,000

Duration

Students will study 40 credit points per trimester over 2 years or part-time equivalent.

Availability and Campus

The course is available at the Joondalup campus, with options for full-time and part-time study.

Professional Recognition

The course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Counselling are prepared for professional roles across a wide range of community, health, and human services. Employment opportunities exist in areas such as schools, universities, community organisations, health and mental health services, family support services, and government or not-for-profit agencies. Possible future job titles include:

• Counsellor
• Mental Health Counsellor
• Child and Adolescent Counsellor
• Family and Relationship Counsellor
• School Counsellor
• Trauma Counsellor
• Addiction Counsellor
• Grief and Loss Counsellor
• Youth Counsellor
• Online/Digital Counsellor