Regulations for The Master of Counselling - MCouns

Qualification Regulations

Part I

Part II

Admission

1. Admission to the Master of Counselling requires that the candidate will:

(a) meet the University admission requirements as specified;

and:

(b) have been awarded or qualified for either:

(i) the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance); or

(ii) the Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (Rehabilitation Counselling); or

(iii) the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance Studies; or

(iv) an approved equivalent qualification; and:

(c) have achieved at least a B grade average across all courses in the qualifying programme of study;

(d) have satisfied the Academic Board that they have sufficient background of professional experience to be likely to successfully engage in the programme; and

(e) meet the requirements for registration as a counsellor as set down by the New Zealand Association of Counsellors in terms of good character and fitness to be a counsellor.

2. Admission to the qualification will be granted or withheld on consideration of the admission requirements specified under Regulation 1, a police vetting report and a selection process that may include a written application, interview, and practical exercises as may be determined by the College Pro Vice-Chancellor or their delegate.

Qualification requirements

3. Candidates for the Master of Counselling shall follow a fixed programme of study, which shall consist of:

(a) courses totalling at least 120 credits as specified in the Schedule to the degree.

(b) attending workshops, tutorials, and laboratories as required;

(c) completion of supervised practice as specified in the requirements for the Professional Development in Counselling I and Professional Development in Counselling II courses.

Specialisations

4. There are no specialisations for this degree.

Academic requirements

5. The degree shall be awarded on the basis of the whole examination which shall include the evaluation of the separate courses and of the research project, with the proviso that all components shall be at least of pass standard.

6. A candidate may be permitted to revise an unsatisfactory Research Project and to resubmit it for assessment on one occasion.

Student progression

7. The Master of Counselling is not awarded with honours, distinction or merit.

8. Candidates must maintain their eligibility for registration with the New Zealand Association of Counsellors in terms of good character and fitness to be a counsellor, throughout the duration of their enrolment in the programme.

Completion requirements

9. The timeframes for completion as outlined in the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates will apply.

10. Candidates may be graduated when they meet the Admission, Qualification and Academic requirements within the prescribed timeframes.

Unsatisfactory academic progress

11. The general Unsatisfactory Academic Progress regulations will apply.

Transitional provisions

12. Subject to any Maximum Time to Completion and the Abandonment of Studies provisions specified in the Part I regulations for the degree, candidates enrolled in the Master of Counselling Studies prior to 1 January 2024 who have successfully completed 253761 may substitute this for 253740 and 267721, until 31 December 2026.

13. Subject to any Maximum Time to Completion regulations and the Abandonment of Studies provisions specified in the Part I regulations for the degree, candidates enrolled in the Master of Counselling Studies prior to 1 January 2025 may graduate under this name, until 31 December 2027.

Schedule for the Master of Counselling

Compulsory courses (Choose 120 credits from)