The Master of Counselling (MCouns) is highly-regarded program, with over 90% of graduates securing successful employment over the past six years.
Designed for professional counsellors and supervisors aiming for leadership roles within New Zealand’s counselling profession, this program focuses on enhancing professional attitudes, knowledge, and competencies in counselling, group leadership, mediation, and practitioner research. Graduates will gain a deep understanding of narrative practice, which is a hallmark of this program.
For the past 20 years, the faculty has been actively promoting narrative therapy, starting with the publication of the book Narrative Therapy in Practice. Today, Waikato University is a leader in this field, producing numerous local and international publications annually.
This program may also lead to further research and into the doctoral counselling program.
Practical Experience
Professional Papers:
The MCouns program offers students the opportunity to gain supported professional experience in community and educational settings. The program is tailored to accommodate each student’s unique background and professional education goals.
Practicum Placements:
To gain admission to the program, students must demonstrate a relationship with a community-based counselling service, school, or mental health service that will provide access to an appropriate practicum placement. Students must commit to ongoing professional supervision, but no formal contract with an agency is required until they are selected into the Counsellor Education Programme and receive all necessary practicum placement information.
In the first year of the full-time program, students complete 200 hours in a professional counselling setting and 80 hours of counselling, engaging in at least 16 supervision sessions per practicum paper. Supervisors must be members of a professional body such as NZAC, NZASW, NZPsS, or NZAP. NZAC membership now requires supervision with an experienced NZAC member.
In the second year, the practicum involves 450 hours in counselling settings, with up to three placements possible. Successful applicants are responsible for setting up appropriate placements to meet practicum requirements. Note that supervision may involve additional costs.
Practical Skills
Graduates of the MCouns program will develop competence in counselling practices and a firm understanding of the philosophical and ethical issues related to professional counselling. They will learn to critically engage with the theoretical concepts and research that underpin counselling practice and gain knowledge of the professional context within which they work.
The program equips students with a well-articulated theoretical foundation and a reflective professional stance in their counselling work. Graduates will also earn a qualification recognized for membership in the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC). This may lead to securing a role on the New Zealand Green List as a Counsellor and become eligible for a Straight To Residency visa.
Graduates will also earn a qualification recognized for membership in the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC).
Cultural Experience
The MCouns program incorporates manākitanga (hospitality and care) offered by Tāngata whenua, the people of the land, who foster collaboration by integrating cultural knowledge and practice into the counsellor education program. Significant cultural contributions include interchanges, connections, noho marae (marae stays), and visits to marae such as:
- Te Kohinga Marama Marae at The University of Waikato: Overnight noho
- Maniaroa Marae at Mokau: Week-long stay with workshops and presentations
- Parihaka: Visit to learn about Māori passive resistance to land confiscation
