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University of Southern Queensland

Toowoomba , Queensland ,Australia

Master of Counselling

Upskill to an advanced level with USQ’s Master of Counselling. The Master of Counselling will give you the knowledge and expertise to upskill to an advanced level in a number of specialist counselling areas, as well as research principles and methods.

There are two options of study. The Master of Counselling (Foundations Practice) is an entry qualification into the counselling profession. Entry into the Master of Counselling (Foundations of Practice) requires completion of the Graduate Diploma of Counselling at USQ or equivalent. The Master of Counselling (Advanced Practice) is for qualified professionals in counselling, psychology, mental health nursing, or social work who wish to extend their professional development without being required to repeat foundational counselling training.

The Master of Counselling provides you with the opportunity to undertake research into issues that are relevant to the counselling field, such as counsellor/counsellee communications, online therapeutic interventions, and relevance of diagnostic criteria across cultural boundaries.

Study flexibility
You can study our Master of Counselling online, to make it easier to fit study into your life.

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

Intakes

  • Feb
  • May
  • Sep

Application Processing Time in Days: 25

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description IELTS (1.0 -9.0) TOEFL IBT (0-120) TOEFL CBT (0-300) PTE (10-90)
Expert 9 120 297-300 86-90
Very Good 8.5 115-119 280-293 83-86
Very Good 8 110-114 270-280 79-83
Good 7.5 102-109 253-267 73-79
Good 7 94-101 240-253 65-73
Competent 6.5 79-93 213-233 58-65
Competent 6 60-78 170-210 50-58
Modest 5.5 46-59 133-210 43-50
Modest 5 35-45 107-133 36-43
Limited 4 32-34 97-103 30-36
Extremely Limited < 4 < 31 < 93 < 30

Job Opportunity Potential

The University of Southern Queensland has forged a reputation as a strong performer in the Australian higher education sector, providing education worldwide through an extensive online presence and from three physical locations in Toowoomba, Springfield and Ipswich.  For three years in a row, we've been ranked No. 1 in Australia for graduate starting salary and almost 80% of our students gain full-time employment on completing their degree. We are focused on developing industry-relevant programs and work-ready graduates and driving economic and social development.

We are a regional university at the heart of our community and aim to bridge the gap in attainment rates between regional and remote students and metropolitan students; drive productivity for the regions; and undertake research with impact in key areas of focus, including space and defence, health, agriculture and regional development. Our community and industry relationships enrich the experiences of our students and provide the workforce of the future for our regions, which are on a strong growth trajectory.

Through our ongoing commitment to diversity and inclusion, we recently received the Science in Australia Gender Equity (SAGE) Athena Swan Bronze Award - an initiative which will drive positive and lasting change in progressing gender equity.  Women have historically been, and continue to be, significantly under-represented at the University in the Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medical (STEMM) disciplines of Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mathematics and Information Technology.  

PSW Opportunity

Post Study Work Steam Renames to Post Higher Education Work Steam.

  • Bachelor degree holders including honours can get upto 2 years of post study stay
  • Master by course work and extended (with a duration exceeding 2 years) can stay upto 2 years
  • Masters by research (with a duration exceeding 2 years) and PhD holder can stay upto 3 years
  • The Maximum eligible age to apply for PSW will be reduced to 35 years of age from 50 years of age for all applicants

Due to the Australian Indian Economic Cooperation and Trade Agreement signed by the 2 countries, according to which:

  • Indian students completing bachelor degree including honours can stay upto 2 years
  • Bachelor degree with First class honours in STEM including ICT can stay upto 3 years
  • Masters by coursework in extended researched (with a duration exceeding 2 years) can stay upto 3 years
  • PhD students can stay upto 4 years

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

Entry requirements

  • Admission is by online application and interview
  • 3-year bachelor degree or equivalent plus at least 5 years experience in their field

Applicants with a bachelor's degree with honors, or a master's degree, may consider applying for admission to the Doctor of Professional Studies program.

English Language Proficiency tests should not be older than two years upon application.

Approved test
Category 1
(IELTS (Academic 5.5 no component lower than 5) 

Category 2
(IELTS (Academic 6.0 no component lower than 5.5) Category 3
(IELTS (Academic 6.5 no component lower than 6) Category 4
(IELTS (Academic 7.0 no component lower than 7.0) Category 5
(IELTS (Academic 7.5 no component lower than 7.0; no less than 8.0 in speaking and listening) 
TOEFL (paper based) 525 (or better)
(with a minimum Test of Written English Score of TWE 4.5) 550 (or better)
(with a minimum Test of Written English Score of TWE 4.5) 570
(with a minimum Test of Written English score TWE 5) 600
(with a minimum Test of Written English score of TWE 5) Not accepted because of teacher registration requirements in Queensland 
TOEFL (electronic or computer based) 213 (or better)
(with essay rating of at least 4.5) 213 (or better)
(with essay rating of at least 4.5) 230
(with an essay rating of at least 5) 250
(with an essay rating of at least 5) 
Pearson (PTE Academic) 50 (or better)
(with no communicative score less than 50) 50 (or better)
(with no communicative score less than 50) 58 (or better)
(with no communicative score less than 58) 65
(with no communicative score less than 65)

  • Course Type: Full Time
  • Course Level: Masters/PG Degree
  • Duration: 02 Year  
  • Total Tuition Fee: 63680 AUD
    Average Cost of Living: 29710 AUD /year
    Application Fee: N/A
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