Master of Professional Counselling - 2018

This course provides advanced counselling knowledge and skills for professionals working in a range of education, community, industrial and service-related settings. It covers major approaches to counselling, provides training in counselling practice and research, and introduces the study of ethical and professional issues in undertaking counselling as a profession.

These course outcomes are aligned with the Australian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate AttributesAustralian Qualifications Framework level 9 and Monash Graduate Attributes (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/handbooks/alignmentofoutcomes.html).

Upon successful completion of this course it is expected that you will be able to:

1. demonstrate an advanced level of knowledge of evidence-based theories and frameworks related to the major schools of counselling and psychotherapy
2. relate appropriate therapeutic approaches and strategies to the corresponding developmental stages across childhood, adolescence, adulthood and ageing
3. demonstrate capacity in synthesising and communicating ideas at an advanced academic level
4. demonstrate cultural awareness and sensitivity in all aspects of professional counselling
5. develop a deeper understanding of self, personal values and preferred styles of counselling
6. assess clients both formally and informally through individual, family, group and career counselling
7. apply the knowledge and skills developed in counselling practice in a workplace setting
8. recognise the ethical and professional issues in counselling and psychology
9. demonstrate knowledge of appropriate research approaches and apply research and evaluation skills in the contexts of research, report writing, case notes and referrals.

This course is approved for offering by the Malaysian Board of Counsellors (Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia) and accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

The course is structured in three parts. Part A. Advanced preparatory units, Part B. Core units and Part C. Application units.

Part A. Advanced preparatory units

These studies will provide an orientation to the field of counselling. You will examine the major lifespan theories and counselling approaches, with a particular focus on mental health and multicultural contexts.

Part B. Core units

These studies will advance your knowledge and skill development for counselling. They cover major approaches to counselling in different contexts, address the ethical and professional issues in undertaking counselling as a profession, and develop your counselling research design and program evaluation skills.

As part of the core study you will complete 40 contact hours of clinical placements.

Part C. Application units

These studies will extend your application of counselling theory to practice as you conduct a research project and undertake supervised professional experience as an intern counsellor. As part of this applied study you will complete 766 hours of clinical placements, including a minimum of 288 hours of client contact and 478 hours of non-contact placement activities.

The course comprises 96 points structured into three parts: Part A. Advanced preparatory units (24 points), Part B. Core units (48 points) and Part C. Application units (24 points).

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2018handbooks/maps/map-d6006.pdf) will assist you to plan to meet the course requirements, and guidance on unit enrolment for each semester of study.

Units are 6 credit points unless otherwise stated.

Part A. Advanced preparatory units (24 points)

You must complete:

• EDF4536 Counselling practice and theory
• EDF4537 Human growth and lifespan development
• EDF4538 Mental health issues: Grief, trauma and substance abuse
• EDF4539 Counselling in a multicultural context

Part B. Core units (48 points)

You must complete:

• EDF5540 Children and adolescents counselling
• EDF5541 Personnel and career development counselling
• EDF5542 Counselling skills: Individuals and couples
• EDF5543 Ethics and professional issues in counselling and psychology
• EDF5544 Group counselling skills and psychotherapy
• EDF5545 Cognitive behaviour therapy
• EDF5546 Advanced personnel and career development counselling
• EDF5547 Counselling research design, statistics and program evaluation

Part C. Application units (24 points)

You must complete:

• EDF5551 Psychological assessment and measurement
• EDF5552 Counselling practicum
• EDF5553 Research project in counselling (12 points)
• EDF5554 Counselling internship (0 points)

Graduates who achieve a weighted average mark of at least 65 per cent may apply for admission to D4004 Graduate Certificate of Educational Research as a pathway to a graduate research course.