MCouns Master of Counselling

The degree has specifically been designed for professional counsellors or supervisors interested in leadership roles within the New Zealand counselling profession.
 

The programme has a key teaching focus on providing experiences in which you can further develop your professional attitudes, knowledge and competencies in the areas of counselling, group leadership, mediation and practitioner research. You'll graduate with a high level of knowledge and understanding through the narrative practice this programme is known for.
 

For the past 20 years, our teaching staff have been active in promoting narrative therapy, beginning with a book staff produced called Narrative Therapy in Practice. Today Waikato is considered a leader in this field with several local and international publications produced each year.

This degree consists of either:

• a dissertation and coursework

• coursework only
   

This degree can be either in the same area as your undergraduate study or in a new area of study.
 

Depending on your previous study and chosen subject, a masters may take one, one and a half, or two years to complete.
 

A recognised bachelors degree with a B/B+ average, and a B/B+ average in a relevant subject if required.
 

Some Faculties/Schools require an honours degree (to demonstrate research capacity). Where the above requirements are not met, further study in a lower level programme may be required first.
 

To provide flexibility to students during COVID-19 who are affected by the closure of testing centres, the University of Waikato will accept the following alternative tests for all 2021 and 2022 intakes. Please note this policy is subject to review.
 

• IELTS Indicator (this is an online version of the regular IELTS test)

• TOEFL iBT Home (Plus) (this is an online version of the regular TOEFL test)

• Duolingo English Test (DET) with the following scores:

  • DET score of 90 for pre-degree programmes (IELTS 5.5 equivalent)

  • DET score of 100 for undergraduate programmes (excluding those listed below)

  • DET score of 110 for postgraduate programmes (excluding doctoral programmes)
     

The University of Waikato will accept Duolingo (DET) as an alternative means of meeting the English language entry requirements for the majority of its programmes (excluding all Initial Teacher Education (ITE) programmes, BSW and LLB) while test centres remain closed and until further notice.

Students who are accepted into their programme using any of the three language tests named above will be issued an unconditional offer, but will be required to undertake a supplementary online language assessment. For doctoral students using DET to gain admission, you will be required to undertake a supplementary assessment prior to an offer being issued.
 

If you are an international student, you will also need to meet an English language entry requirement. If you do not meet the requirement for your chosen postgraduate qualification, we have Academic English Language programmes available that you can enrol in to help you meet these entry requirements.
 

For admission to the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTchgLn) an academic IELTS overall score of 7.0 (with no less than 7.0 in any band) is required.
 

Equivalent qualifications
 

If you have successfully completed study in the English medium, you may not have to take a language test. This document also includes all approved alternatives to our IELTS requirements.

Estimated Fees* (International):    $33,195 per year

• NGO Social Service practices

• Hospice

• Private practice

• Family and relationship counselling

• Corrections and Probation

• Youth services

• Career support

• Pastoral care

• School counselling