Master of Counselling

Core Topics	Units
MHSC8043 Advanced Counselling Theories and Approaches	9
MHSC9036 Advanced Placement in Counselling	9
MHSC9035 Counselling Settings in Professional Practice	9
MHSC8018 Low Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychological Disorders	4.5
Elective Topics
SOAD8009 Trauma and Complexity	4.5
MHSC9038 Counselling for Couples and Families	4.5
SOAD8006 Being Child and Young Person Centred	4.5
Total units	36

The Master of Counselling at Flinders University aims to:

• Enable graduates to obtain professional accreditation as counsellors with the Singapore Association for Counselling (Singapore) and the Australian Counselling Association (Australia), alongside their postgraduate qualification; and
• Equip students with comprehensive, evidence-based knowledge of counselling approaches that support holistic, whole-person health and mental-wellbeing.

Upon successful completion of the Master of Counselling, graduates will be able to:

1. Conduct comprehensive assessments and deliver effective interventions for a broad range of mental and physical health conditions, applying current, evidence-based practices with diverse populations;
2. Integrate valid and reliable engagement and outcome measures to inform assessment, guide decision-making, and support individuals across the continuum of care;
3. Contribute to the advancement of evolving mental health and healthcare models at both local and global levels;
4. Demonstrate proficiency and competence as a counsellor, applying a range of empirically informed counselling approaches;
5. Deliver personalised, person-centred support that recognises the diversity and fluidity of mental health across the continuum; and
6. Apply culturally responsive practices that respect and integrate individuals’ culture, identity, and autonomy in contemporary counselling contexts.

This is a part-time course stretching across 12 months. The duration does not include Course Orientation and the Administration of Pre-Course Counselling Process.

CONTACT HOURS (525 Hours)

ECTA adopts a blended learning approach. Selected topics require 100% onsite, in-person as they are skilled-based in nature. Remaining topics range between 70% to 80% onsite, in-person learning and 20% to 30% online, via Zoom learning.

Applicants must hold a degree or have an equivalent qualification from an approved tertiary institution, or possess a Graduate Diploma in Counselling awarded by Flinders University, Swinburne University of Technology or any other equivalent qualification.

CREDIT EXEMPTION

1. Applicants may be accepted directly into the Master of Counselling if they have completed a postgraduate Diploma in Counselling (or its equivalent) from a recognised university or institution. Credit exemptions, where applicable, may be granted up to a maximum of 50% of the nested suite of courses.
2. Direct entry applicants will be assessed on a case-by-case basis, subject to the decision of the Clinical and Academic Director of ECTA and approved by Flinders University. No further Academic Credit exemptions are allowed after the course of study has commenced.
3. As advised by the Singapore Association for Counselling (SAC) in 2024, Credit Exemption is not applicable to Counselling Practice and Individual Supervision. As such, all applicants must complete 100 Counselling Practice hours and 10 Individual Supervision hours.

ENGLISH LANGUAGE REQUIREMENT

All applicants must have at least 5 GCE “O” Level Passes, including a credit for English Language. Applicants without a credit in English will need to provide evidence of having attended the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and attained an overall band score of at least 6.5 points, or hold a Certificate in Advanced English (CAE) with a Pass grade of B2. Alternatively, applicants may provide evidence of their academic qualifications conducted in the English Language in Singapore or internationally.

RESIDENCY STATUS

Applicants must be a Singapore Citizen, a Singapore Permanent Resident or  a holder of a valid Work Permit, or a valid Dependent Pass.

Additional Requirements

Applicants will be assessed for suitability through:

1. an interview via ZOOM or face-to-face;
2. submission of a 200-word statement explaining why they have chosen to pursue a counselling programme, and what they intend to do with the qualifications attained; and
3. provision of one character reference where the referee is unrelated to the applicant at a personal level, for example, a family member of and relative, and who has a good knowledge of the applicant’s quality of work and suitability for the counselling programme

Fee Component	Amount
Course Fees	S$22,860.13
Administrative Fees	S$1,417.00
FPS Premiums	S$145.66
Total Course Fees for Stage of Study	S$24,422.79
Number of Instalments, Interest Free	4

Details and requirements of Course Assessments may be found in the Student Learner Guide which will be distributed to Trainee Counsellors on the day of the Course Orientation. Members of the public may access the required information by calling or e-mailing ECTA.

Course assessments required for the Units are as follows:

MHSC8043 Advanced Counselling Theories and Approaches (9 Units)
1 Essay and 3 online Assessments are required for this topic.

MHSC9035 Counselling Settings in Professional Practice (9 Units)
1 Essay and 2 Case Studies required for this unit.

MHSC9036 Advanced Placement in Counselling (9 Units)
Practicum log of counselling hours and clinical supervisor’s final report.

MHSC8018 Low Intensity Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Psychological Disorders (4.5 Units)
2 Assessments required for this topic.

SOAD8009 Trauma and Complexity (4.5 Units)
2 Assessments required for this topic.

or

MHSC9038 Counselling for Couples and Families (4.5 Units)
2 Assessments required for this topic.

• Attended Course Orientation
• Attended Course Review (End of Course)
• Completed at least 90% attendance for all lectures (inclusive of all make-up classes)
• Completed Direct Client Contact Hours (60 hours)
• Completed Individual Clinical Supervision (10 hours)
• Completed Group Supervision (14 hours)
• Clinical Supervisor’s Report Graded: Pass
• Completed Two Journal Submissions (60 hours) and Integration of ECTA’s 5 Core Values
• Completed Professional Development Learning (40 hours)
• Successfully completed all assessments
• All Course Fee Fees Paid Up for the Master of Counselling

Upon successful completion of the course of study and meeting the graduation criteria stipulated by Flinders University and ECTA, students will be awarded the Master of Counselling. Below is a sample certificate.

Trainee Counsellors will develop and enhance their counselling skills through an integrated approach based on lectures, role-plays, video-clip viewing, small group discussions and clinical supervision.

Click for online application:

Apply now