D6003 Master of Counselling

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Orientation to counselling, Part B. Expert studies in counselling practice and Part C. Specialist counselling studies.

Part A. Orientation to counselling

These studies will provide an orientation to the field of counselling and have been specifically developed for any student new to the field of professional counselling. Accordingly, you will be introduced to counselling theory and will develop foundational counselling skills and knowledge.

Part B. Expert studies in counselling practice

These studies provide you with an opportunity to develop the required expert counselling skills and knowledge needed to practice as a competent early career counsellor. You will learn how to work with varied populations across a range of settings and to formulate and apply counselling assessments and interventions. You will also have the opportunity to develop your own counsellor identity through supervised practice.

Part C. Specialist counselling studies

These studies will advance your knowledge of counselling practice with diverse populations across the lifespan and with a range of experiences and needs.

Master's entry points

Depending on prior qualifications you may receive entry level credit (a form of block credit) which determines your point of entry to the course:

• If you are admitted at entry level 1, you will complete 96 credit points, comprising Part A, Part B and Part C
• If you are admitted at entry level 2, you will complete 72 credit points, comprising Part B and Part C
• If you are admitted at entry level 3, you will complete 48 credit points, comprising Part B.

Note: If you are eligible for credit for prior studies, you may elect not to receive the credit and complete one of the higher credit-point options.

Course progression map

The course progression maps provide guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

The course is structured into three parts: Part A. Orientation to counselling (24 points), Part B. Expert studies in counselling practice (48 points) and Part C. Specialist counselling studies (24 points).

Units are 6 points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Orientation to counselling (24 points)

You must complete:

• EDF5000 Lifespan development and counselling
• EDF5001 Counselling for change and transition
• EDF5002 Introduction to ethics and professional issues in counselling
• EDF5003 Foundations in counselling: Evidence-based practice

Part B. Expert studies in counselling practice (48 points)

You must complete:

• EDF5060 Cognitive behavioural therapies: Assessment and intervention (12 points)
• EDF5061 Advanced ethics and professional issues in counselling
• EDF5062 Grief and trauma counselling
• EDF5063 Contemporary counselling approaches (12 points)
• EDF5064 Emerging counsellor practice
• EDF5065 Counselling couples, families and groups
• EDF5066 Supervised counselling placement A (0 points)
• EDF5067 Supervised counselling placement B (0 points)

Part C. Specialist counselling studies (24 points)

You will complete Option 1 or Option 2 below:

Option 1 - Complementary studies

You must complete:

• EDF5004 Counselling in the school years
• EDF5005 Learning and career counselling
• EDF5006 Diversity in counselling
• EDF5007 Telehealth and technology in counselling

Option 2 - Pathway to graduate research (only available to students enrolled at Clayton)

A pathway to graduate research (e.g. master by research, PhD) is available if you:

• have been admitted at level 1 or level 2*; and
• have achieved a weighted average mark of at least 75% in the units of this course.

Please note:

• this pathway is not available at the point of course entry;
• if undertaking the graduate research pathway, you must enrol in:
• • EDF5613 Research approaches in education (12 points)
  • EDF5614 Research project in education (12 points);
• your eligibility to undertake this pathway will be checked prior to the commencement of EDF5613; and
• if you are commencing at entry level 1 or 2, you must take the required two units in Part C of your studies.

*Due to professional recognition requirements, the research pathway is not available if you have been admitted at level 3. If you have been admitted at level 3 and are interested in a research pathway you are encouraged to consider the Graduate Certificate of Educational Research.