Course

Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling

Approved Abbreviation: MPsychother&Couns

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Western Sydney University Course Code: 1817.1

AQF Level: 9

CRICOS Code: 088713F

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Students should follow the course structure for the course version relevant to the year they commenced. This version applies to students whose commencement year for this course is 2016 or later.

Units may be revised or replaced to ensure students are provided with up to date curriculum throughout their studies, and this may result in a new course version. Refer to the Check My Course Progress page in MySR for the most up to date information for your course.

The Master of Psychotherapy and Counselling is a cross-disciplinary pathway into a career in helping people in distress. In counselling and psychotherapy, clients gain self-understanding, expand interpersonal capacities and become more able to change through a dedicated helping relationship. This course focuses on the process of creating of a therapeutic environment for clients and on cultivating the high levels of skill, sensitivity, self-knowledge and ethical conduct required of the counselling and psychotherapy professional. Theories and approaches are taught and critically examined in the light of their contribution to a contemporary relational understanding and practice of counselling and psychotherapy. A research component introduces students to the systematic study of the counselling experience from a variety of methodological perspectives. This course is open to graduates in any discipline who can demonstrate the personal and reflective qualities required for this demanding profession.

Study Mode
Two years full-time or four years part-time.

Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Admission

1. An undergraduate degree or higher in any discipline discipline and submission of a Statement of Intent and CV detailing voluntary and paid work, relevant life experiences, education and training, and interests, to the satisfaction of the School of Social Sciences and Psychology, AND achieving an interview score of 70% or above in a group applicant interview.

OR

2. Achievement of a GPA of 5.5 (high credit) or above in the University's Graduate Diploma in Counselling.

Applications from Australian and New Zealand citizens and holders of permanent resident visas must be made via the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC). Use the links below to apply via UAC or Western Sydney University. Applications made directly to Western Sydney do not have an application fee.

Applicants who have undertaken studies overseas may have to provide proof of proficiency in English. Local and International applicants who are applying through the Universities Admissions Centre (UAC) will find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on the UAC website. Local applicants applying directly to the University should also use the information provided on the UAC website.

http://www.uac.edu.au/

https://westernsydney.uac.edu.au/ws/

International applicants must apply directly to Western Sydney University via the International Office.

International students applying to The University through the International Office can find details of minimum English proficiency requirements and acceptable proof on their website.

International Office

Overseas qualifications must be deemed by the Australian Education International - National Office of Overseas Skills Recognition (AEI-NOOSR) to be equivalent to Australian qualifications in order to be considered by UAC and Western Sydney University.

Course Structure

Qualification for this award requires the successful completion of 160 credit points which include the units listed below.

Recommended sequence

Year 1

Autumn session

102353

Foundations of Psychotherapy and Counselling 1

102357

Ethics and Diversity in Research and Therapy

102370

Integrated Practice 1: Self and Story

2H session

102358

Practising Research and Researching Practice

Spring session

102355

Foundations of Psychotherapy and Counselling 2

102364

Counselling and Psychotherapy Practice

102371

Integrated Practices 2: Affliction and Recovery

Year 2

1H session

102365

Clinical Studies in Psychotherapy and Counselling

Autumn session

102372

Integrated Practices 3: Emotions, Embodiment and Connection

2H session

102366

Further Clinical Studies in Psychotherapy and Counselling

Spring session

102178

Critical and Creative Enquiry

102373

Integrated Practices 4: Self and Relationships

Please note: From Spring session 2018 the 10 credit point units 102178 - Critical and Creative Enquiry and 102373 - Integrated Practices 4: Self and Relationships have been replaced by the 20 credit point unit 102627 - Integrated Practices 4: Self and Relationships.