Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice)

The Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice) is for registered professionals in counselling, psychology, mental health nursing, human services, or social work who wish to extend their professional development. 

1. Apply a core body of knowledge, including contemporary theories and models central to counselling assessment, treatment, and clinical supervision.
2. Effectively utilise a range of advanced interpersonal, written, oral and digital literacy skills appropriate for communicating with diverse audiences including clients and professionals.
3. Apply critical reasoning, problem solving, and professional and ethical judgement with initiative to identify and resolve a range of therapeutic, professional, legal and ethical practice issues.
4. Consolidate theory and practice within an integrative framework to effectively provide counselling within diverse cultural and practice contexts and client groups.
5. Critically evaluate relevant research literature, methodologies and findings to inform practice development and conduct research.

Gain the knowledge and expertise to upskill to an advanced level in several specialist counselling areas, as well as research principles and methods. The Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice) is for registered professionals in counselling, psychology, mental health nursing, human services, or social work who wish to extend their professional development. Students studying this degree aren’t required to undertake a placement or courses with mandated attendance requirements. Study online while gaining hands-on experience at residential schools, and undertake research into issues relevant to the counselling field. The Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice) is recognised by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) as meeting their bridging requirements to meet Level 3 membership under certain conditions. Further study pathways include the Master of Research and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD).

Recommended study pattern

Students will need to consult the Program Director via usq.support@usq.edu.au.

Award requirements

Completion of 16 units as outlined in the Recommended Study Pattern section.

Choose your subjects

Majors

• Advanced Practice
• Alcohol and Drug Studies
• Child, Youth and Family Therapy
• Foundations of Practice
• Mental Health Counselling

Exit points

• Upon completion of the appropriate 4 units, a student may apply to exit with the Graduate Certificate of Counselling.
• Upon completion of the appropriate 8 units, a student may apply to exit with the Graduate Diploma of Counselling.

Open Universities Australia is a not-for-profit organisation. You will not pay any fees for using our services.

Indicative total fee $49,120

The amount shown here is indicative for an Australian citizen studying full-time, which is typically 8 subjects per year.

Fees may vary depending on:

• the subjects you choose
• credit from previous work experience
• your eligibility for government funding loans or subsidies such as HECS-HELP or a Commonwealth supported place.

To learn more, go to Fees or contact a student advisor.

As Australia’s #1 university for graduate starting salary (Good Universities Guide, 2022), University of Southern Queensland is the right place to make real progress. Regardless of your education history, your age or your aspirations, at UniSQ you’ll be inspired by quality learning experiences matched with top resources and research. Having delivered distance and online learning for over 40+ years, UniSQ supports you to learn at your own pace—exactly how it suits you.

Learn more about USQ.

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QS World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

24

Times Higher Education World University Ranking 2025, within Australia:

25

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.

All students are required to satisfy the applicable English language requirements. For entry to the Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice) program, applicants are required to meet the Category 3 English Language Proficiency requirements.

Exemptions/credit will be assessed based on the USQ Credit and Exemption Procedure.

There are mandatory residential schools held at Ipswich, Springfield or Toowoomba campus, and synchronous mandatory online tutorials for:

• COU8102 Professional Counselling Practice, Identity and Ethics
• COU8103 Counselling Issues and Contexts
• COU8101 Counselling Skills and Applications
• COU8104 Counselling Frameworks
• COU8006 Group Counselling Process and Practice