Counselling Subject regulations
Counselling programmes at the University of Waikato take a distinctive orientation to counsellor education. These programmes emphasise narrative approaches in counselling and therapy. These approaches depend upon a social constructionist and post structuralist epistemological base.
Initial enquiries should be made to the Division of Education.
Other qualifications
Prescriptions for:
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PGCertCouns(FamCouns) The PGCertCouns(FamCouns) offers a specialist postgraduate option in family and relationship counselling. The qualification is designed for experienced counselling and social service practitioners who have already received initial professional education. Its aim is the development of the skills and knowledge of practitioners who wish to become more specialised in their work with families and relationships. The programme is available for students who have completed a bachelors degree, or equivalent, and a counselling qualification, and who have at least five years' full-time equivalent experience in counselling, and who have a current membership of a recognised professional association in counselling or social work. Applicants should be in current appropriate practice.
To complete the PGCertCouns(FamCouns), students must complete 60 points at 500 level (COUNS560, COUNS561). These papers each include an on-campus component and are taught partially online.
Applications must be received by 30 November in the year prior to enrolment.
NOTES:
- Students who gained HDCO551 in 2014 may substitute that paper for either COUNS560 or COUNS561.
** There will be no new intake into the PGCertCouns(FamCouns) in 2025.
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PGCertCouns(ProfSup) The PGCertCouns(ProfSup) - previously named the PGCertCouns(CounsSup), is designed to offer experienced counselling practitioners advanced education in supervision. The programme is available for students who have completed a bachelors degree, or equivalent, and a counselling qualification, and who have at least five years' full-time equivalent experience in counselling.
To complete the PGCertCouns(ProfSup), students must complete 60 points at 500 level (COUNS547, COUNS548). These papers each include an on-campus component and are taught partially online.
Applications must be received by 30 November in the year prior to enrolment.
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MCouns The MCouns programme is designed to offer students the opportunity to develop professional skills well-grounded in constructionist theories. Such a professional education programme invites students to consider their own lives, and how they are storied, both as persons and professionals. The programme aims to develop the professional identity, including skills and ethical behaviours, of the student counsellor. It is a recognised qualification for membership of The New Zealand Association of Counsellors.
To complete an MCouns, students must complete 240 points, including the four compulsory papers COUNS541, COUNS542, COUNS544 and COUNS545.
Students may include:
(a) the four compulsory papers and a 120 point thesis, or
(b) the four compulsory papers, a 90 point thesis or a 60 point dissertation, and 30 or 60 points from approved 500 level papers, or
(c) the four compulsory papers and 120 points from approved 500 level papers.
Entry into COUNS542 and COUNS545 requires the approval of the Professional Leader - Counsellor Education Programmes. Such approval is conditional on both a pass and demonstrated satisfactory professional performance in COUNS541 and the satisfactory arrangement of a practicum placement. Students without sufficient background in counselling may be required to complete COUNS549 in addition to the four compulsory papers. Students who complete the MCouns by coursework alone would not normally be permitted to apply for admission directly to doctoral study.
The MCouns is equivalent to two years' full-time study, but students may complete it on a part-time basis. The papers include an on-campus component and are either supported or taught partially online.
Applications must be received by the 1st of October in the year prior to enrolment.
