311204 v.1 Master of Counselling - Health Sciences

MCouns(Curtin)

Course CRICOS Code: 062559C
Registered full-time Duration for International Onshore Students on student visas: 2 Years

Introduction

The Master of Counselling provides students with the theoretical principles of counselling, sociocultural contexts, advanced counselling practice, experiential skills development and supervised practicum experience in external agencies. This course is designed for health professionals, psychologists, pastors, educationists, social workers and other human service workers who wish to advance their career in the field of counselling. Three streams are offered: Counselling, Addictions or Rehabilitation Counselling. The course is suitable for practitioners who intend to work in a variety of private or public domains. A feature of the program is flexibility, enabling focus on specific areas of interest with didactic and experiential units. The experienced counsellors and psychologists in the program utilise teaching and learning practices designed to broaden analytical thinking and critical evaluation, synthesise and integrate information, develop professional competence, assess theoretical concepts, formulatehypotheses and propose appropriate models for working with clients. The program also builds upon a student's reflective practice to provide the potential for greater self-awareness and create the essentials for building a therapeutic alliance.

Course Entry Requirements/Prerequisites

A four-year degree or equivalent in a relevant discipline, or a three-year undergraduate degree and a postgraduate diploma with recent relevant work experience. Applicants without this requirement but holding a three-year degree in a related area undertaking counselling, management and policy-related activities at a senior level are considered. All applicants will need to complete the following: 1. Curtin application for admission and enrolment form; 2. Provide a recent curriculum vitae including relevant work experience; 3. Two referee reports; 4. A certified copy of previous tertiary or other relevant qualifications; 5. A written statement expressing your reasons for applying to this course (no more than 500 words); 6. Shortlisted candidates attend an interview. Non standard applications will be considered on merit.

Specific Requirements

Applicants for this course should refer to the Communicable Diseases and Criminal Record Screening and Clearance Section of this publication.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applications for recognition of prior learning are assessed on an individual basis.

Duration and Availability

This fee-paying course is two years full-time or equivalent part-time study. International onshore students on student visas are not permitted to study part-time. Entry into this course is available at the commencement of the year. Applicants should consult the Course Coordinator to determine availability of units. Counselling Practicum 668 may commence four weeks prior to semester. Other units follow the standard semester format.

Intermediate Awards 1

A student who has successfully completed the requirements of an approved intermediate award may apply for graduation in that award subject to approval of Head of School/Department. Fees apply. Intermediate award(s) approved for this course are:

Intermediate Awards II

Graduate Diploma in Counselling.

Professional Recognition

Graduates of the program are eligible for membership to the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Association of Western Australia (PACAWA) and the Psychotherapists and Counsellors Federation of Australia (PACFA).

Additional Course Expenses

Students may be expected to purchase a number of textbooks, readers and other essential study materials.

Special Note

The School of Psychology previously offered a Graduate Diploma in Counselling with two streams (Addictions and Health Counselling), and a Master of Counselling. Course changes for the Master of Counselling - Health Sciences fully articulate the Graduate Diploma in Counselling and the Master of Counselling courses such that the Graduate Diploma in Counselling constitutes the first year of Master of Counselling - Health Sciences. The changes also offer three streams (Counselling, Addictions and Rehabilitation Counselling).

Course Structure Disclaimer

Curtin University reserves the right to alter the internal composition of any course to ensure learning outcomes retain maximum relevance. Any changes to the internal composition of a course will protect the right of students to complete the course within the normal timeframe and will not result in additional cost to students through a requirement to undertake additional units.

Course Structure			Hrs/Wk	Credit
Year 1
311212	v.1	Counselling Stream		200.0
		OR
311210	v.1	Addictions Stream		200.0
		OR
311211	v.1	Rehabilitation Counselling Stream		200.0
				200.0
Year 2 Semester 1
13637	v.2	Theories and Applications of Counselling 661	3.0	25.0
311207	v.1	Counselling Assessment and Evaluation 662	3.0	25.0
311208	v.1	Counselling and Mediation 665	3.0	25.0
				75.0
Year 2 Semester 2
13644	v.3	Counselling Practicum 668	16.0	50.0
311205	v.1	Loss and Grief 662	16.0	25.0
				75.0

Availability

Year	Location	Period	All*	Internal	Partially Online Internal^	External	Fully Online#
2009	Bentley Campus	Semester 1		Y
2009	Bentley Campus	Semester 2		Y

The information displayed above refers to study periods and locations where the course is available for first time entry. Students are normally only offered or admitted to a course once.

*The course itself may not be available either solely internally or externally but individual units may be offered in either or both of those modes. Prospective students should contact the Course Coordinator for further information.

^Course and associated units are offered in this mode permitting International Onshore student enrolment.

#Course and associated units are offered in this online only mode and DO NOT permit International Onshore student enrolment.