Master of Counselling Studies

Masters (Coursework)

Note: This programme is covered by the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order 2021. Students are required to provide details of their vaccination status on enrolment.

Key details

Degree Type

Masters (Coursework)

Duration

2 years part-time

Study Mode

Online

About this course

Note: This programme is covered by the COVID-19 Public Health Response (Vaccinations) Amendment Order 2021. Students are required to provide details of their vaccination status on enrolment.

Tena koutou nga Rangatira-o-akengokengo, nga pukenga o te matai hinengaro, nau mai o hinengaro, nau mai o manawanui, otira to aroha, ki tenei he waka eke noa, kia puta atu ki te paerangi panekeritanga o te manaakitanga.

Greetings to you the leaders of tomorrow, those skilled in the understandings of psychology, of relating, connecting, understanding, bring along your minds, your hearts, your dedication, and especially your love and care, aboard our ship together, to sail over our horizons of excellence in providing care.

When you join the Master of Counselling Studies, you'll join a counsellor education programme that is anchored in mana-enhancing practices. This includes:

viewing differences as strengths and assets
affirming that each world view (Te Ao Maori, Western paradigms, and non-Western approaches) has its own whakapapa, roots and origins, its own mana and its own unique relational influence and presence.

You will become fellow travellers with our staff, on the journey to cultivate your strengths, worthiness and potential.

We will enable you to emulate cultural humbleness and a desire to learn and understand, so that healing and well-being can be delivered to those you are working with.

The counselling programme at Massey University is a NZAC-accredited professional training programme. While serving communities, families, and individuals, it strives to cultivate mana atua, mana whenua, mana tangata - well-being.

If you are due to complete the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling and Guidance) this year, you may apply to be considered for conditional entry to the master's programme.

Entry requirements

This programme is a selected entry programme. This means there are a number of extra requirements.

To enter the Master of Counselling Studies you will have:

been awarded or qualified for a Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Counselling & Guidance), with a B average, or
been awarded or qualified for a Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (Rehabilitation Counselling) with a B average, or
been awarded or qualified for an approved equivalent qualification with a B average,
sufficient background or professional experience to be likely to successfully engage in the programme.

You will be selected into the programme on the basis of a process which includes providing:

a verified copy of your academic transcript/s
a copy of your current curriculum vitae (including education and employment for at least the last five years)
a completed NZ Police Request and Consent form, along with two pieces of verified identification (one of which must be photographic) from the list of acceptable forms of identification on the Checklist
a copy of a police report from every country you have lived in for more than 12 months in the last 10 years. Please do not supply originals.
you may take part in an interview.

As part of the application you will also supply:

a personal statement about what you have learned about counselling, including your understanding of mana enhancing, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, bi-cultural, pluralistic approaches
contact details of suggested agencies/settings where you would like to undertake your counselling practice placement
contact details of two referees
contact details for a potential supervisor external to your placement.

See more details about these requirements below.

Study locations

Online

Career pathways

When you graduate from this programme, you will be prepared to contribute to counselling service delivery through a variety of wellness and mental health services. That could be in school settings, addiction/recovery centres, crisis programmes, residential programmes or private practice.

Numerous individuals and communities' experience various traumatic events, encounter loss/grief, and some grapple with addiction. Many people seek more purposeful lives and how to better relate in their intimate, personal, and professional/work/career related relationships. While this programme focuses on well-being and optimal growth, a trauma informed, post-traumatic growth approach is embedded throughout the training.

The programme maintains primary focus on well-being, healing, and restoration/affirmation of human dignity. Therefore you will have opportunities to become aware of the Tihei-Wa Mauri Ora, a "construct that shows a life continuum, where periods of light and darkness are normalized as proper and valid, given their space and time in their lives." (Teina Piripi and Vivien Body, 2013).

Nau te rourou, naku te rourou, ka ora ai te iwi.
With your contributions together with mine, our people will thrive.

Credit for prior study or work

For information on prior learning, exemptions and transfer of credit or other questions:

review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
contact us through the Enquire button on this page.