Master of Counselling
- Degree Structure - Start In
- Semester 1 (February)
UC's Master of Counselling (MCouns) gives you the opportunity to extend your theoretical grounding and professional skills to work as a counsellor in a variety of settings. Find out about studying an MCouns through our Te Kaupeka Oranga | Faculty of Health.
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The Master of Counselling gives you the opportunity to extend your theoretical grounding and professional skills to work as a counsellor in a variety of settings. You will be trained to identify systematic, effective ways to help clients find simple, acceptable solutions to their current concerns and problems.
The MCouns consists of 240 points of study, taken as a combination of practical and theory courses.
Anyone wishing to enrol in the MCouns must have qualified for one of the following:
One or more courses in this degree may also require vaccinations. Check each course page for more details.
If English is your additional language, you are also required to meet UC's English language requirements.
Selection will be based on academic attainment and other criteria, which will include an interview for admission to the professional counselling practice course (COUN675 Professional Counselling Practice I). The relevance and standard of previous studies and any subsequent professional work experience are the main criteria of approval. You will normally be expected to have at least a B Grade Point Average in your 300-level courses. You must also be vetted by police.
To apply, you will need to complete an application form – see 'How to Apply' below.
For the full entry requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Counselling or use the admission requirements checker.
Entry to the Counselling programme is limited – applications close 1 October.
See the Counselling application process for details of entry requirements, application forms, and start dates.
See Admission and enrolment for all information on enrolling at UC.
The MCouns consists of two parts.
Part I includes four compulsory courses, which involves up to 70 hours of supervised clinical practice.
Part II includes a practical course (with up to 300 hours of counselling experience), and either a research course or selection of coursework.
In either Parts, you will also complete one other course in research methods.
The minimum period of enrolment for a full-time student is 2 consecutive years; the maximum period is 4 years. The minimum period of enrolment for a part-time student is 4 consecutive years; the maximum period is 6 years.
For full requirements, see the Regulations for the Master of Counselling.
2024 tuition fee estimate: $8,877 per 120 points
2025 tuition fee estimate: $9,410 per 120 points
2024 tuition fee estimate: $84,400 (240 points) ($42,200 per 120 points)
2025 tuition fee estimate: $87,600 (240 points) ($43,800 per 120 points)
Note that COUN672 and COUN675 are limited entry courses.
You will normally need to have achieved Part I with a B Grade Point Average or better to proceed onto Part II.
If studying part-time, you will instead complete COUN683 Professional Counselling Practice II (Part A) Part time and COUN684 Professional Counselling Practice II (Part B) Part time.
All students also choose between completing COUN695 Counselling Dissertation (60 points), or at least 60 points of courses chosen from:
In either Part I or II, you will also need to complete:
Or another approved research methods course of at least 15 points.
Postgraduate study can bring many career benefits eg, specialist skills and enhanced knowledge, entry into specific occupations, higher starting salary/progression rates, research capability/achievement, and evidence of high academic attainment/self-discipline.