Master of Counselling

The Master of Counselling at Christian Heritage College is a two-year postgraduate qualification for people who want to work as counsellors in Australia. You'll study how people change, how to build a therapeutic relationship, and how to work ethically with clients from different backgrounds and faith positions. The course draws on psychology, theology and counselling practice, so you'll look at both the evidence base for counselling and the values that shape how you work with people.

As a master's degree, this course sits at level 9 on the Australian Qualifications Framework. That means it's built from units of study, each worth a set number of credit points, usually delivered across semesters or trimesters. You'll complete core units in counselling theory, human development, assessment, and professional ethics, plus supervised practice. Most master's programmes of this length include a capstone project or research component, and counselling courses typically require a professional placement where you see real clients under supervision. The exact unit list, placement hours and credit points are set by the college, so check the official course page or the CRICOS register for the current structure.

The skills you gain are practical. You'll learn to conduct an initial interview, formulate a case, choose an intervention, and reflect on your own reactions in the room. You'll also learn to read research, write case notes, and work within the ethical codes that govern Australian counselling. Because the college has a Christian foundation, you'll think about how faith and spirituality show up in counselling, whether you share a client's beliefs or not. That's useful preparation for work in faith-based agencies, schools, and community organisations.

This course suits people who have a bachelor's degree in a related area and want to move into counselling, or who are already working in a helping role and need a recognised qualification. It also suits people who want to combine professional counselling training with a faith perspective. If you're an international student, you'll need to meet the college's English requirement, and remember that your Student visa lets you work up to 48 hours per fortnight while you study. After you finish, you may be eligible for the Temporary Graduate visa (subclass 485) post-study work stream, which lets you stay and work in Australia for a period. Always confirm the details on the official page before you apply.

• Counsellor in community health centres, relationship services, or mental health organisations
• School counsellor or student wellbeing officer in independent and faith-based schools
• Case worker or support worker in family services, youth services, or refugee settlement
• Pastoral counsellor or chaplain in churches, hospitals, or aged care
• Rehabilitation counsellor in employment services or disability support
• Private practice counsellor, once you meet registration requirements
• Program coordinator or team leader in a community organisation