The Master of Social Science (Counselling) is designed for those professionals who utilise counselling and groupwork roles in their work as health professionals, social workers, personnel officers, pastors, human service workers, psychologists or counsellors.  The course provides advanced training in counselling skills and theory, and prepares graduates for professional practice as counsellors in the settings in which they work.  It also prepares graduates to refer appropriately, and to work cooperatively with other professionals who use the counselling role, such as psychologists and psychiatrists.

A three-year degree from a recognised university, normally in one of the helping professions, such as social work, psychology, medicine, occupational therapy, nursing, theology, human services.  In addition, applicants must have had a minimum of two years’ work experience in a human service profession.  Admission to the course is competitive, and requires a written application and an interview for those who are short-listed.  Preference will be given to applicants with experience in a formal counselling role.

The course is divided into two stages, with the second stage being available in coursework or coursework plus research project mode..  Students have an option to exit after completion of Stage 1 with a Post Graduate Diploma of Social Science (Counselling).  Suitably qualified and experienced students may replace one of the coursework units and the two fieldwork placement units with a research project related to an aspect of clinical practice.

Enrolment in individual units is restricted to students formally admitted to the counselling stream program.