Master of Counselling

The Master of Counselling is designed for individuals with a Graduate Diploma in Counselling degree who are seeking to develop advanced knowledge and practical skills in counselling. This program equips you with the competencies required to apply for professional registration as a counsellor in Australia.

At the heart of the course is a commitment to experiential learning and the development of strong therapeutic relationships—key elements of effective counselling. You’ll critically engage with counselling literature and research, and apply this knowledge through extensive practical training.

You will complete two supervised placements:

• An internal placement at Murdoch’s on-campus Caladenia Counselling Clinic, and
• An external placement in a community agency.

These placements provide real-world experience in assessment, treatment planning, and delivering integrated, professional counselling services.

3 reasons to study a Master of Counselling at Murdoch

1. Real Client Experience: Work with clients in Murdoch’s Caladenia Counselling Clinic during your internal placement, under expert supervision.

2. Diverse Community Settings: Gain experience in external agencies, counselling clients in varied environments with guidance from experienced clinicians.

3. Expert Teaching Staff: Learn from academics and practitioners with extensive industry experience in counselling and psychotherapy.

What you’ll learn

This degree focuses on experiential learning and building the counselling relationship, by developing skills, including: 

• Applying evidence-based counselling practices.
• Building and maintaining therapeutic relationships in diverse and complex contexts.
• Integrating counselling theories and models into clinical practice.
• Conducting advanced case conceptualisation, assessment, and intervention.
• Engaging in reflective and ethical professional practice.
• Communicating effectively and with cultural sensitivity.
• Understanding and applying research to enhance counselling outcomes.

Your future career

Completion of the Master of Counselling will enable you to work across diverse areas including;

• Counselling and clinical practice
• Non-government organisations (NGOs) and therapy services
• Education and Training
• Healthcare and Social Assistance

Professional accreditation

This course is accredited by the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Professional recognition

Graduates are eligible to apply for Provisional Registration with the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and to then work towards clinical registration.

Graduates are also eligible to apply for Level 2 membership with the Australian Counselling Association (ACA) and then work towards Level 3/ 4 Clinical membership.