Master of Professional Counselling - 2019

Postgraduate - Course

Commencement year

This course entry applies to students commencing this course in 2019 and should be read in conjunction with information provided in the 'Faculty information' section of this Handbook by the Faculty of Education.

Other commencement years for this course: 2018, 2017 and 2016

Unit codes that are not linked to their entry in the Handbook are not available for study in the current year.

Course code

D6006

Credit points

108

Abbreviated title

MProfCouns

Managing faculty

Education

Admission and fees

Malaysia

Course progression map

D6006 (pdf)

Course type

Specialist
Master by coursework

Standard duration

2 years FT, 4 years PT

You have a minimum of 2 years and a maximum of 6 years to complete this course including any periods of intermission and suspension, and must be continuously enrolled throughout.

Mode and location

On-campus (Malaysia)

Award

Master of Professional Counselling

Description

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.

Outcomes

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.

Clinical practice

This course requires you to undertake 756 hours of clinical placements, including a minimum of 288 hours of client contact and 468 hours of non-contact placement activities. Through these mandatory placements, you have an opportunity to apply theory to practice under supervision in clinical settings. For advice on professional experience intervention, support and unsatisfactory progress refer to the Professional experience intervention and support policyProfessional experience intervention and support policy (http://www.monash.edu/education/current-students/policies-and-procedures/professional-experience-intervention-and-support-policy).

Clinical expenses

You are responsible for all uniform, equipment, travel, accommodation and any other expenses incurred during clinical placement and will be notified regarding purchase arrangements upon commencement.

Pathway to graduate research

A pathway to graduate research (e.g. master's by research, PhD) is available if you achieve:

  • a weighted average mark of at least 75 in EDF5547 Counselling research design, statistics and program evaluation; and
  • achieve a weighted average mark of at least 75 in the units of this course.

This pathway is not available at the point of entry, and is by invitation only.

If you are invited into this pathway take the following unit:

  • EDF5550 Advanced research project in counselling

Professional recognition

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).

Structure

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.

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 756 hours of clinical placements, including a minimum of 288 hours of client contact and 468 hours of non-contact placement activities.

Requirements

The course comprises 108 points structured into three parts: Part A. Advanced preparatory units (24 points), Part B. Core units (48 points) and Part C. Application units (36 points).

The course progression mapcourse progression map (http://www.monash.edu.au/pubs/2019handbooks/maps/map-d6006.pdf) provides 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 assessment: 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 (36 points)

You must complete:

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

Progression to further studies

Successful completion of this course may provide a pathway to a higher degree by research if you have completed EDF5550Not offered in 2019 Advanced research project in counselling and meet the following requirements:

  • If you achieve a weighted average mark of at least 70% and a minimum mark of 70% in EDF5550Not offered in 2019 Advanced research project in counselling you may apply for admission to 0079 Doctor of Philosophy.
  • If you achieve a weighted average mark of at least 65% and a minimum mark of 65% in EDF5550Not offered in 2019 Advanced research project in counselling you may apply for admission to 3204 Master of Education.