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Enquire

Master of Community Counselling

Integrate individual counselling with community perspectives
How to Apply
  • Course Code: CRS1400284
  • Masters
  • Duration - 2 Years full-time or part-time equivalent
  • Location - Wantirna
  • Delivery Mode - On Campus, partial online
  • Available to domestic students.

Are you a graduate with experience in pastoral care, counselling and mentoring, wishing to extend your training and range of interventions and become a registered counsellor? 

Eastern’s Master of Community Counselling explores the oppressive community practices that affect people’s lives and seek to find liberating practices to improve personal social and emotional wellbeing, to strengthen respectful relationships, for community connectedness.

Our graduates are mindful, holistic practitioners who can effectively understand and analyse their clients’ concerns, and develop effective interventions. Our course expands the traditional individual focus of counselling, exploring the concepts of community, justice and deep level emancipation.

This course is recognised by the Australian Community Counselling Association (ACCA) as suitable for registration as a community counsellor.

Where will this lead me?

  • With extended training and range of interventions you’ll gain more employment opportunities in community and counselling work in schools, community agencies, churches, government agencies and private practice.

  • The Master of Community Counselling is fully accredited by  Australian Counselling Association (ACA) the largest national professional body for counsellors in Australia.

  • Graduates may obtain registration through ACA or Christian Counselling Association Australia (CCAA) and may also apply to become accredited with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

COURSE Structure

In each semester there is a theory unit and an accompanying reflective unit to reflect on your practical counselling and community practices: 

  • Semester 1 – Oppression, Liberation and Wellbeing
  • Semester 2 – Counselling interventions
  • Semester 3 – Innovative theorist or practitioner
  • Semester 4 – Research project
 

Students need to complete 200 hours of counselling and 50 hours of supervision over the two years of the degree. These hours can be undertaken in your current workplace if you wish. 

Students attend two intensive days at the college the beginning of first semester, then weekly zoom sessions, early afternoon and repeated in the evenings. So interstate students are welcome, and need only make one trip to Melbourne for the intensive at the beginning.

Students are invited to field trips if they are available, locally interstate or overseas.

What Students

are saying

I was working as a chaplain in a crisis centre. I had some huge personal things happen, and thought I really need to upskill... The expertise at Eastern is amazing, and the care, but also being purpose-focused and driven. The importance of faith being relevant in the world and being able to have an impact.
Kirsten Hampton
Enquire Now

Course Outcomes

  • Analyse a variety of community issues and ways in which they have been addressed.
  • Integrate within their professional practice their own values and sense of vocation with diverse theoretical frameworks acquired during the course.
  • Assess community counselling contexts and interventions in terms of the theory and practice of personal, relational and social wellbeing.
  • Conceptualise counselling issues within their wider ecosystem in order to devise and enact contextually relevant, ethical, collaborative and empowering ways of addressing problems of wellbeing in diverse communities.
  • Produce research relevant to innovative practices in community counselling.

Entry Requirements

All applicants will be required to meet Eastern’s General Entry Requirements.

Academic Requirements

Eligible candidates would be …

  • Those persons who have completed a related undergraduate degree such as one with a major sequence in counselling, psychology, ministry studies with a major in pastoral care and counselling, or a social work award.

OR

  • Those with an unrelated degree but have also completed graduate studies in counselling or a related specialisation.

OR

  • Special entry: For those candidates without relevant degree but with relevant VET qualifications and experience and ability to demonstrate a level of professional skill associated with that of a counsellor or community development practitioner, and the capacity to gain a credit grade point average in their first two coursework units.
Non-Academic Requirements

Personal aptitude for the award would be demonstrated by the candidate presenting a brief portfolio which includes the following:

  • Character and aptitude references from a qualified counsellor, accredited pastor, CPE facilitator, or clinical psychologist;

  • Evidence of internships, church or para-church voluntary involvement;

  • A 1000 word paper outlining a theologically reasoned understanding of the nature and purpose of community counselling in their own current or preferred practicing context;

  • Any other evidence that the candidate believes would demonstrate the capacity to benefit from the course.

Intakes for this course will only be available for a Semester 1 start each year. Applications can be submitted during the year for consideration to commence in the following year.

English Language Requirement

Applicants must meet the English language requirements.

Other Requirements
  • Students must complete the units in order.

  • Each reflective counselling practice unit must be taken concurrently to the associated coursework unit.

This course is not open to overseas students to study in Australia.

Eastern College Australia values the history, culture and languages of First Nations people and we welcome their  participation in all of our courses.

Pathways

In accordance with normal processes for recognition of prior learning, applicants who have completed an AQF level 8 or 9 award in counselling and are accredited to work in professional practice may receive up to 24 credit points of advanced standing provided it can be shown that they have equivalent knowledge and skills.

It is expected that all graduates would normally be eligible for entry into local professional doctoral programs.

Fees

For a breakdown on the fees for this course please visit our fees page.

Units attached to this course

For a comprehensive list of all units attached to this course see below.

Unit List
  • CN901.512 Oppression, Liberation and Wellbeing
  • CN902.506 Reflective Counselling Practice on Oppression, Liberation and Wellbeing
  • CN903.512 Community Counselling Interventions
  • CN904.506 Reflective Counselling Practice on Community Counselling Interventions
  • CN905.512 Innovative Theorist/Practitioner
  • CN906.506 Reflective Counselling Practice on an Innovative Theorist/Practitioner
  • CN907.512 Counselling Research Project
  • CN908.506 Reflective Counselling Practice on Research

2023 Intake

Now Open

Step out in faith and submit your application today! We’re exited to begin this next season in your life together.

Semester 1 applications close 3rd February

Apply Now

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Show information for

Domestic
Overseas
  • Course Code: CRS1400284
  • Masters
  • Duration - 2 Years full-time or part-time equivalent
  • Location - Wantirna
  • Delivery Mode - On Campus, partial online
  • Available to domestic students.

Are you a graduate with experience in pastoral care, counselling and mentoring, wishing to extend your training and range of interventions and become a registered counsellor? 

Eastern’s Master of Community Counselling explores the oppressive community practices that affect people’s lives and seek to find liberating practices to improve personal social and emotional wellbeing, to strengthen respectful relationships, for community connectedness.

Our graduates are mindful, holistic practitioners who can effectively understand and analyse their clients’ concerns, and develop effective interventions. Our course expands the traditional individual focus of counselling, exploring the concepts of community, justice and deep level emancipation.

This course is recognised by the Australian Community Counselling Association (ACCA) as suitable for registration as a community counsellor.

Where will this lead me?

  • With extended training and range of interventions you’ll gain more employment opportunities in community and counselling work in schools, community agencies, churches, government agencies and private practice.

  • The Master of Community Counselling is fully accredited by  Australian Counselling Association (ACA) the largest national professional body for counsellors in Australia.

  • Graduates may obtain registration through ACA or Christian Counselling Association Australia (CCAA) and may also apply to become accredited with Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA).

COURSE Structure

In each semester there is a theory unit and an accompanying reflective unit to reflect on your practical counselling and community practices: 

  • Semester 1 – Oppression, Liberation and Wellbeing
  • Semester 2 – Counselling interventions
  • Semester 3 – Innovative theorist or practitioner
  • Semester 4 – Research project
 

Students need to complete 200 hours of counselling and 50 hours of supervision over the two years of the degree. These hours can be undertaken in your current workplace if you wish. 

Students attend two intensive days at the college the beginning of first semester, then weekly zoom sessions, early afternoon and repeated in the evenings. So interstate students are welcome, and need only make one trip to Melbourne for the intensive at the beginning.

Students are invited to field trips if they are available, locally interstate or overseas.

What Students

are saying

I was working as a chaplain in a crisis centre. I had some huge personal things happen, and thought I really need to upskill... The expertise at Eastern is amazing, and the care, but also being purpose-focused and driven. The importance of faith being relevant in the world and being able to have an impact.
Kirsten Hampton
Enquire Now

Course Outcomes

  • Analyse a variety of community issues and ways in which they have been addressed.
  • Integrate within their professional practice their own values and sense of vocation with diverse theoretical frameworks acquired during the course.
  • Assess community counselling contexts and interventions in terms of the theory and practice of personal, relational and social wellbeing.
  • Conceptualise counselling issues within their wider ecosystem in order to devise and enact contextually relevant, ethical, collaborative and empowering ways of addressing problems of wellbeing in diverse communities.
  • Produce research relevant to innovative practices in community counselling.

Entry Requirements

All applicants will be required to meet Eastern’s General Entry Requirements.

Academic Requirements

Eligible candidates would be …

  • Those persons who have completed a related undergraduate degree such as one with a major sequence in counselling, psychology, ministry studies with a major in pastoral care and counselling, or a social work award.

OR

  • Those with an unrelated degree but have also completed graduate studies in counselling or a related specialisation.

OR

  • Special entry: For those candidates without relevant degree but with relevant VET qualifications and experience and ability to demonstrate a level of professional skill associated with that of a counsellor or community development practitioner, and the capacity to gain a credit grade point average in their first two coursework units.
Non-Academic Requirements

Personal aptitude for the award would be demonstrated by the candidate presenting a brief portfolio which includes the following:

  • Character and aptitude references from a qualified counsellor, accredited pastor, CPE facilitator, or clinical psychologist;

  • Evidence of internships, church or para-church voluntary involvement;

  • A 1000 word paper outlining a theologically reasoned understanding of the nature and purpose of community counselling in their own current or preferred practicing context;

  • Any other evidence that the candidate believes would demonstrate the capacity to benefit from the course.

Intakes for this course will only be available for a Semester 1 start each year. Applications can be submitted during the year for consideration to commence in the following year.

English Language Requirement

Applicants must meet the English language requirements.

Other Requirements
  • Students must complete the units in order.

  • Each reflective counselling practice unit must be taken concurrently to the associated coursework unit.

This course is not open to overseas students to study in Australia.

Eastern College Australia values the history, culture and languages of First Nations people and we welcome their  participation in all of our courses.

Pathways

In accordance with normal processes for recognition of prior learning, applicants who have completed an AQF level 8 or 9 award in counselling and are accredited to work in professional practice may receive up to 24 credit points of advanced standing provided it can be shown that they have equivalent knowledge and skills.

It is expected that all graduates would normally be eligible for entry into local professional doctoral programs.

Fees

For a breakdown on the fees for this course please visit our fees page.

Units attached to this course

For a comprehensive list of all units attached to this course see below.

Unit List
  • CN901.512 Oppression, Liberation and Wellbeing
  • CN902.506 Reflective Counselling Practice on Oppression, Liberation and Wellbeing
  • CN903.512 Community Counselling Interventions
  • CN904.506 Reflective Counselling Practice on Community Counselling Interventions
  • CN905.512 Innovative Theorist/Practitioner
  • CN906.506 Reflective Counselling Practice on an Innovative Theorist/Practitioner
  • CN907.512 Counselling Research Project
  • CN908.506 Reflective Counselling Practice on Research

2023 Intake

Now Open

Step out in faith and submit your application today! We’re exited to begin this next season in your life together.

Semester 1 applications close 3rd February

Apply Now

Related Courses

You might be interested in...

Want to become a teacher
Bachelor of Education (Secondary)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
Want to make a career change to teaching
Master of Teaching (Primary)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
Education - Home
Bachelor of Education (Primary)
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua
Explore social science Options
Template is not defined.

Get in Touch

Our friendly team is ready to answer any questions you may have.
Enquire Today

You can apply directly to the College via our online application form Below.

Apply Now

Get in Touch

Our friendly team is ready to answer any questions you may have.
Enquire Today

You can apply directly to the College via our online application form Below.

Apply Now

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri People as the traditional custodians of God’s land on which Eastern College Australia stands, and pay our respects to their elders past and present, and our support for the emerging leaders of the future.

Eastern College Australia provides teaching, training and research from a Christian worldview that contributes to the church and the flourishing of humanity through the lives of its graduates.

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ABN: 61 551 855 405 | ACN: 641 764 785 | RTO No. 22065 | HE No. PRV12149 | CRICOS: 03853H

© Eastern College Australia. All rights reserved

Privacy Policy