Overview

The Master of Counselling provides students with a range of counselling skills that can be applied across work settings, client types and cultural groups. Students specialise in human services counselling, couple counselling or forensic counselling. The course is designed to meet the needs of those employed in the human services sector.

View the Master of Counselling (Advanced) course handbook
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Upgrade your skills

  • Advanced skills to work therapeutically
  • Demonstrate competence in assessment
  • Written and oral communication skills
  • Understanding of basic and advanced theoretical concepts

Stretch your career further

  • Counselling in community health
  • Educational counselling
  • Guidance counselling
International student visa

International students in Australia who hold student visas are required to study full-time and on campus. Courses that are taught entirely online are only available to international students studying outside Australia or those in Australia who are not on a student visa. Online courses are not available to international students in Australia who hold a student visa.

Professional accreditations

The Singapore Association of Counselling recognizes the nested suite of courses as appropriate training in professional counselling. The course has been approved by the Singapore Government’s Council for Private Education, May be eligible for Australian Counselling Association, PACFA, and the Australian Association for Relationship Counsellors.

Why Swinburne?

Ranked top 250 in the world for the subject of psychology

Times Higher Education World University Ranking by Subject 2023

83.5% of students found employment within 4 months of graduating

Ranked top 20% in Australia for 5-star PG Overall experience

Qualifications

This program is only available in Singapore.

The program is taught in English. If necessary, applicants will need to provide evidence of advanced proficiency in written and spoken English.

Applicants must also satisfy the following requirements: 

  • completion of an approved undergraduate or postgraduate degree or approved equivalent, or
  • Graduate Certificate of Counselling 
  • Graduate Diploma of Counselling 
     

Selection is based on an individual and the applicant’s suitability for the program as determined by academic and work experience, referee reports, and the stated reasons for wishing to undertake the program.

Students admitted to the course with prior tertiary studies that satisfy part of the academic requirements of this course may be eligible for academic credit.

The university may determine selection criteria and restrictions in respect of courses to apply in addition to these entry requirements.

Admission requirements

Meeting the minimum entry requirements for the course does not guarantee an offer of a place. See admission requirements for general information about the admission process.

English language requirements

Satisfactory completion of one of the following:

Need to undertake an English assessment for entry?

A prerequisite for many courses, the Pearson Test of English (PTE Academic) can now be done at our Hawthorn campus.

Book your Pearson Test of English

Credit transfer

Credit is granted in recognition of previous study and/or experience and allows students to gain advanced standing towards their course. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about credit

Recognition of prior learning

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) allows students to gain credit (advanced standing) towards their course in recognition of skills and knowledge gained through work experience, life experience and/or formal training. Applicants are assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Learn more about RPL

Finding your fit

At Swinburne, we recognise that not one size fits all. If this course doesn’t meet all your study criteria, check out these alternatives.

How credit points work

To qualify for the Master of Counselling (Advanced), students must complete 200 credit points comprising:

8
Core units
+
4
Specialisation units
=
Masters Degree

Your units

Units of study Unit code
Core units
Professional Ethics and Supervision
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSC60011
Specific Skills in Counselling
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSC60012
Theories and Foundations of Counselling
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSC60013
Counselling Processes and Interventions
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSC60014
PSC70002 Assessment and Treatment of Psychological Disorders
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSC70002
Counselling Research Processes
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSC70009
Specific Approaches to Counselling
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSC70015
Advanced Interventions in Counselling and Group Processes
Core unit, 12.5 credit points
PSC70017
Units of study Unit code
Students must complete four specialisation units
Advanced Counselling Theories
Specialisation unit, 25.0 credit points
PSC80010
Professional Practice and Counselling Settings
Specialisation unit, 25.0 credit points
PSC80011
Advanced Counselling Placement
Specialisation unit, 25.0 credit points
PSC80004
Advanced Training in Cognitive Behavioural Interventions
Specialisation unit, 25.0 credit points, Pick one only
PSC80012
Advanced Training in Family Therapy Interventions
Specialisation unit, 25.0 credit points, Pick one only
PSC80005

Nested programs

The Master of Counselling (Advanced) forms the final stage in a nested suite of programs. Commence studying with the:

Your fees

Contact Executive Counselling and Training Academy

How do I pay my fees?

FEE-HELP is a loan given to eligible full-fee paying higher education students to help pay part or all of their tuition fees. The Commonwealth Government pays the amount of the loan directly to Swinburne.

Find out more about fees

International students need to pay tuition fees up-front by the relevant due date. You can find the due dates on your Statement of Account.

To pay your fees:

  • log in to My Finances
  • check your Australian bank account details are correct 
  • check your Statement of Account to see how much you owe 
  • pay using your preferred payment method.
Learn more about paying your fees

Eligibility for FEE-HELP

You’re eligible for a FEE-HELP loan if you are studying an undergraduate or postgraduate degree, or UniLink or OUA course at Swinburne, and you:

  • are an Australian citizen doing at least one unit of your course in Australia; or
  • hold a permanent humanitarian visa and will be living in Australia for the duration of your course; or
  • hold a New Zealand Special Category visa and meet the special eligibility requirements for New Zealand citizens
  • are undertaking bridging study for overseas trained professionals and will be living in Australia for the duration of this study
  • have not exceeded the new combined Help Loan limit.
     

The HELP limit is the maximum amount you can borrow from the government in your lifetime towards your education costs. It is fixed and cannot be topped up.

Learn more about FEE-HELP

Scholarships

Scholarship applications for 2025 are open. Scholarships at Swinburne are about providing opportunity, promoting equity and recognising excellence and achievement. We want you to reach your potential and achieve your life and career goals. 

Our handy guide will assist you to gather documents for your application.

Learn more about scholarships

When you apply for a Swinburne course, we automatically consider you for an international scholarship of up to 20 per cent off your course fees – no separate application required! Just apply for your Swinburne course of choice and when we review your course application, we will also assess you for an international scholarship.

Learn more about scholarships

Apply through an agent

Most international students use an education agent to help them through the application process. Swinburne has agents all over the world that can help you with your application to study. Search for a Swinburne representative in your country. If your country is not listed, please contact us.

Representatives and agents
MA-COUADV
Search for agents

Apply directly

This course is only available in Singapore to Singapore citizens, Singapore permanent residents, holders of a valid Singapore dependant’s pass, and holders of a valid Singapore work permit.

Application forms are available from the Executive Counselling and Training Academy, Singapore.

Find out more

Prospective applicants residing in Singapore should contact:
Executive Counselling and Training Academy Pte Ltd
1 Kay Siang Road #08-02
Singapore 248922

Tel: +65 6346 6411
Fax: +65 6334 2911
Email: info@ecta.edu.sg

Start dates
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Upcoming events
2025 Study Expo
12-November-2024