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Postgraduate

Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry)

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Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry) (MCCO)
Entry requirements
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Study mode
  • External
  • Online
Campus
  • -
Duration
  • 2 year(s) (or part-time equivalent)
Start
  • Feb, May, Sep
Intakes

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Overview

  • Specifically designed for applicants who are already registered professionals in counselling or other allied mental health disciplines, the Advanced Entry specialisation allows you to diversify your expertise and develop your research skills.
  • Progress your counselling practice and choose subjects that suit you career goals or allow you to expand and grow your current knowledge. You can select to study fully online or in a blended mode with some practical elements on-campus depending on the courses you enrol in.  
  • Upskill in couple and family counselling; child and youth counselling; mental health practice; and trauma focused practice.
  • This specialisation provides you with the opportunity to undertake a substantial research project or choose to do a smaller capstone project to further your research skills. 

Further study

Graduates who have completed a research project within this degree may be eligible to apply for a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Professional accreditation

The Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry) is recognised by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) as meeting their bridging requirements to meet Level 3 membership under certain conditions. These include, if the graduate is a Level 2 ACA Member; or if the graduate is not a current member but has an ACA-accredited bachelor qualification; or if the graduate is not a current member but holds an ACA-accredited graduate diploma and has evidence of one year’s post-qualification supervised practice, and a post-qualification minimum of 50 hours of supervision.

Career outcomes

  • Allows health professionals to develop or expand their counselling expertise in specialty areas of their choosing, and may provide an opportunity to progress into doctoral studies.
  • This specialisation does not lead to counselling registration.

Entry requirements 

There are two different admission requirement processes for this degree depending on whether you are applying for the Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry) - see below details - or the qualifying Master of Counselling. Find more information on the qualifying pathway of Master of Counselling via each specialisation; Child, Youth and Family Therapy; Mental Health Counselling; or Trauma Focused Practice.

  • Current evidence of full membership of a relevant professional body, such as the Australian Psychological Society, Australian Counselling Association, Australian Association of Social Workers, Australian Counselling Association, or the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.

English language requirements

You are required to meet the applicable English language requirements and this degree requires a minimum of IELTS 6.5 with a minimum 6.0 in each subscore. UniSQ also accepts other English language proficiency tests.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can apply to study with our English language partner, the Union Institute of Language (UIL).

Recognition of prior learning or work experience

You may be eligible for recognition of prior learning if you have previously studied or have relevant work experience. This will help to reduce the number of courses that you need to study to finish your program.

Pathways

If you don't meet the entry requirements, we have pathway options available to you.

Degree structure

To complete this degree students must complete 16 units.

Courses to be studied Units
Core course 1
Research Project Pathway courses
or
Research Capstone Project Pathway courses		 15
Total 16

Refer to the UniSQ Handbook for an example of courses to be studied and recommended enrolment patterns.

Residential schools

Students in the Master of Counselling (Advanced Entry) can choose if they want to undertake the core courses with mandatory residential schools. If selected, you'll attend face-to-face lectures and tutorials at UniSQ Ipswich to gain practical experience, use facilities and specialist equipment, and meet staff and other students.

Other specialisations

Fees and scholarships

Your actual fees may vary depending on the courses you select. We review our fees annually so these may be subject to change.

Approximate annual costs1 for your first year of study (8 units) in this degree are:

Study Mode Cost
Domestic full fee paying

You are responsible for the full cost of your course and are charged a tuition fee.

AUD 28320

1 These are indicative annual fees for 2025. 

Student services and amenities fees

You may need to pay student services and amenities (SA) fees as part of your course costs.

Residential school costs

This degree includes an on-campus residential school component that involves travel, accommodation and meal expenses.

Loan to help you pay your fees

You may not have to pay your course (subject) fees upfront. FEE-HELP allows you to defer your fees until your income reaches a certain level. Find out if you are eligible for FEE-HELP. 

You may also be eligible to receive financial support from Centrelink.

Scholarships

At UniSQ, we offer a range of scholarships to support your success at university. Find a scholarship that works for you.

How to apply

Complete your online application directly to UniSQ.

Apply direct to UniSQ

Intakes

You can select to start your study in Trimester 1, 2 or 3. After submitting an application, you’ll be invited to a group interview session for further assessment.

Study period  First application closing date  First group interview Final application closing date  Final group interview and Orientation Study period start date
Trimester 1, 2025 Friday 22 November 2024 Monday 9 December 2024
 Friday 24 January 2025 Monday 3 February 2025 Monday 10 February 2025
Trimester 2, 2025 Monday 7 March Thursday 17 April
 Friday 9 May
 Monday 19 May Monday 26 May
Trimester 3, 2025 Monday 4 July Monday 14 July Friday 22 August
 Monday 1 September Monday 8 September

More information on university key dates is available.

Further information

Discover further information on applying to study at UniSQ that is relevant to you.

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Begin your study journey today with the university rated 5/5 stars for graduates starting salaries* and start the degree that’s right for you.

*Good Universities Guide 2025

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