Accreditation and Professional Recognition Expand The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy is fully accredited by both the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA). The program sits within level 9 of the Australian Qualifications Framework.
Admission Criteria Expand Admission directly into the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy requires: An Australian Bachelors degree (AQF level 7) in a related discipline (e.g., teaching, social work, psychology or counselling) with a minimum weighted average mark of 70. Prospective students who have an Australian Bachelors degree in a non-relevant discipline must enrol in the Graduate Diploma course first to assess their suitability (with a pathway to progress into the Masters course). Applicants with a non-related qualification are encouraged to undertake Cairnmillar’s Counselling Skills Foundational and Intermediate professional development and training courses, to establish a baseline competency of counselling skills. Please note, the need to undertake one or both short courses will be discussed in an Admissions Interview, should your application be progressed. International applicants please see (International students page) and (FAQs). Documentation required in the application: Most recent academic transcript(s). A current Curriculum Vitae (resume). Proof of residency/citizenship (e.g., passport, birth certificate, or citizenship certificate). Two references, preferably at least one academic, using the HODSPA reference system. Short-listed applicants will be invited to attend an admissions interview with members of Cairnmillar’s academic faculty. This provides applicants an opportunity to discuss any questions they may have about the course.
Career Opportunities Expand Graduates may find employment in a variety of settings, including: Private practice Pastoral care Allied health Community mental health Social work Mediation Careers counselling Health policy Case manager Rehab support services Mental health support services DV support Child protection Family services.
Course Duration and Structure Expand The Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy consists of 200 credit points. Integrating the Graduate Certificate and the Graduate Diploma within the first year, students undertake a total of 16 units of study. This consists of twelve coursework units (150 credit points), two placement units (25 credit points) and two research relevant units (25 credit points). The full-time course structure is detailed below: Year One Graduate Certificate & Graduate Diploma Units CAP401 Psychotherapeutic Theories and Models CAP402 Person-Centred Counselling CAP412 Ethics and Professional Development CAP417 Assessment Process in Counselling and Psychotherapy CAP404 Facilitating Therapeutic Change CAP405 Cognitive Behavioural Therapies CAP461 Counselling Placement CAP414 Treatment Planning Year Two Masters units CAP511 Interpersonal Processes in Psychotherapy CAP561 Counselling Placement CAP507 Key Competencies in Brief Dynamic Psychotherapy CAP509 Child and Family Therapy CAP551 Research Methods and Project CAP510 Trauma, Loss and Grief Therapy CAP505 Exploring Process Experiential Emotion Focused Therapy CAP506 Existential Psychotherapy and the Group Process
Fees and Scholarships Expand 2023 fees schedule* Domestic International Masters full course (2-years full time) $47,040 $55,440 Masters Year 2 only $23,520 $27,720 *Estimated only. Annual tuition fee review and possible increases applies, see: cairnmillar.org.au/course-fees For information on tuition fees and what scholarships might apply to this course, please visit the Fees and Scholarships pages.
Graduate Learning Outcomes Expand Students who satisfactorily complete the Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy should have the professional capabilities to: Critically review and effectively utilise the knowledge of the major schools of counselling and psychotherapy in counselling assessment, case conceptualisation and treatment planning while working with a range of presenting problems across the life span. Develop therapeutic alliance, select, and apply effective counselling and psychotherapy processes to facilitate change and achieve clients’ goals. Demonstrate self-awareness, reflectiveness, ability to evaluate the effectiveness of therapeutic processes and engage in continuous personal and professional development. Identify, analyse and resolve complex ethical and professional dilemmas while applying knowledge of different ethical paradigms, PACFA Code of Ethics, professional conduct guidelines and the relevant legal State and Commonwealth Acts. Consistently relate to others with respect of all aspects of human diversity and lived experience. Critically engage with research literature, understand the main research methodologies, and complete a research project relevant to counselling and psychotherapy practice.
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) Expand Students applying for this program may enter a process in which they may be granted credit or partial credit towards the qualification in recognition of previous experience where an equivalence of earlier learning can be established. Students may only be given credit for any coursework if it is from a successfully completed approved course at the appropriate Australian AQF postgraduate level. Cairnmillar’s RPL policy can be viewed here.