Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy

The Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy course covers academic, personal and clinical learning in the areas of counselling theories and skills, ethics, human development and mental health in the first year, as well as a fieldwork placement.

The course provides a deeper, psychotherapeutic experience for the student through the units of study in Group Therapy 1 and 2, and the Trainee Clinic and Individual Student Learning and Support Sessions. In addition, students will undertake a research project in the second year of their course in order to fulfil the requirements of a Masters qualification and to give them the opportunity to get ‘hands-on’ experience working as a researcher within this field.

Cognitive learning of theories and practices continues to occur in tandem with emotional learning through supported and in-depth personal development in group and individual work; personal growth experiences are core and embedded within the program.  They provide students with the opportunity to develop self-awareness of their own assumptions, processes and their capacities for using one's self in the therapeutic relationship.

This qualification has been designed to specifically address the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) Training Standards for 2014 and has PACFA accreditation.

The nested awards of the Graduate Certificate in Counselling and the Graduate Diploma of Counselling, whilst standalone qualifications, also provide pathways into the Masters course.

Entry Requirements
Bachelor Degree or higher in a related field and normally 2 years work or volunteering experience in a related field; and an Interview

Study Options
Full-time two years or part-time is four years, with two subjects offered online. On-campus study involves lectures, clinics, seminars, tutorials, practical demonstrations, learning portal activities, clinic hours and personal study hours. This course is available to international students (CRICOS: 094995G). This course is available in at the Pyrmont campus in Sydney.

Why JNI?

The Jansen Newman Institute’s educational approach
The course has been designed with four themes in mind to reflect Jansen Newman Institute’s educational approach:

Multiple perspectives:  All students are exposed to a broad range of contrasting theories, therapeutic modalities and techniques so they can select the appropriate therapy for their clients.

Experiential learning, clinical setting, and personal development: Students engage in a range of experiential learning opportunities requiring critical reflection and individual research including the opportunity for investigation of their own ‘family of origin work’ as part of their professional and personal development.

Clinical supervision in real-life situations: Students are provided clinical supervision directed to achieving effective integration of the student’s personal growth, theoretical studies, and clinical experiences.

Integration – theory, clinical practice and personal growth. The three-tiered course provides a carefully sequenced and integrated set of subjects so students can progress to becoming competent professionals in their area of practice.

Campus Location, Study Time & Start Dates
This course is delivered at the Pyrmont Campus in Sydney (235 Pyrmont Street, Pyrmont NSW 2009) and will be 2 years of full-time or 4 years Part-time study. Approximately 2-3 days per week on campus study will be required for full-time students.

A full-time load is 3 subjects per trimester or 8 subjects per year. This is the maximum number of subjects that you can take, without prior written permission from the Head of Academic Studies.

Industry Accreditation
The Master of Counselling and Applied Psychotherapy is accredited by the Psychotherapy & Counselling Federation of Australia (PACFA) and the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).

Campus Facilities and Services
All campuses are designed to provide students with professional spaces in which to learn and work. They have been planned with student study needs in mind with well-equipped accessible learning spaces as well as student breakout areas for group work and spending time with friends. 

Facilities and Services include

• The Customer Service Hub – our friendly and experienced staff can give help and advice about courses, your enrolment and campus life, including all services and activities on campus.
• Counsellors are available for students to consult with on a range of personal issues
• Student wireless access throughout the Campus
• Student break-out and relaxed study spaces for group work
• Student lounge areas – most with microwaves, kitchenette facilities and vending machines
• The Learning Hub, home to the Learning Support Team, encompasses Learning Skills Advisors, Learning Technology Advisors, and Library & Learning Skills Officers. It provides an integrated, holistic support program for students throughout the study lifecycle within a library/collaborative study environment. 

The Service includes

• Support and workshops with highly qualified staff in the areas of Academic skills, Library skills, and Technology skills, both on campus and online.
• Physical and digital resources relevant to studies, such as books, journals, multimedia, databases
• Self-check kiosks for library loans and print and copy facilities

Success Coaches
Our Success Coaches are industry and education experts who leverage your strengths to align your learning with your broader life purpose. With a focus on career goals, and trained in Gallup Strength methodologies, your Success Coach will take a strengths-based approach to helping you set your learning and career goals.

Partnering with you for the duration of your studies, the Success Coach is here to make sense of all of the learning experiences, including readiness for and securing of work integrated learning, placements, internships and opportunities in internal enterprises.  All of our coaches are industry professionals, which will give you that inside edge you’ll need to be successful in your chosen career.

Irrelevant of how you like to learn, our coaches are there for you.  Coaching can take place online, or on campus.  Our main priorities are to make sure that you are always well connected and motivated, that you are successfully completing your desired subjects, and that you gain valuable knowledge and experience through participation and engagement, whilst always aligning to your natural talents.