Master of Counselling – MCouns

Entry requirements

Admission to Massey

All students must meet university entrance requirements to be admitted to the University.

• Massey University entry requirements

Specific requirements

The Master of Counselling is a selected-entry qualification. This means there are a number of specific requirements to be met for admission. To be considered for entry into the qualification you must have successfully completed, with at least a B grade average:

• a Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling and Guidance, or a Postgraduate Diploma in Rehabilitation (endorsed in Rehabilitation Counselling), or an approved equivalent qualification; and
• have sufficient personal and professional experience to be likely to productively undertake and successfully complete the qualification.

You will need to provide: 

• a verified copy of your academic transcripts
• a CV (including your education and employment experiences covering at least the last 5 years).
• a completed NZ Police Request and Consent form, along with 2 pieces of verified identification (1 of which must be photographic) from the list of acceptable forms of identification on the Checklist
• copies (not originals) of police reports from other countries that you have lived in for more than 12 months over the past 10 years

As part of the application, you will also need to supply:

• a personal statement about what your exposure to the domain of counselling as a consumer, learner, and/or provider has been
• your understandings of the significance of Te Tiriti o Waitangi to matters of wellbeing services, biculturalism, bi-cultural counselling practice and pluralistic counselling approaches
• a description of and contact details for an agency/setting where you would be able to undertake your counselling practicum placement
• names and contact details of 2 referees who have known you in a professional capacity for more than a year
• the name and contact details of a professional counsellor, external to the proposed practicum placement setting, with whom you will be able to engage periodically through the qualification for the purposes of professional supervision.

Application closing date

Applications close 25 October, for study commencing the following year.

English language requirements

To study this qualification you must meet Massey's English language competency requirements.

About the selection process

The selection panel looks for:

• readiness in relation to personal and interpersonal awareness,
• respect for diversity,
• a bicultural focus,
• attitudes demonstrating openness to growth and development within your learning.
• the ability to participate in cooperative group learning and to maintain a professional attitude regarding engaging with peers,
• your overall capacity to fulfil the requirements of the professional development courses.

You will have a demonstrated active interest in the human services area, shown through involvement in relevant personal development experiences, including experience of personal counselling, and some prior experience and/or training in the human services field.

Health and disability

If you have any short or long-term ability challenges, including learning disabilities, personal or health, including mental health, addiction or trauma, issues that may affect your study, please include a summary of these in your application. Such information will be considered within the selection process and will be confidential to the university staff processing your application.

Curriculum Vitae

Please include details of your educational and professional qualifications, employment, and volunteer history, with dates and descriptions of roles and responsibilities. Also list any memberships of relevant associations/organisations and a list of peer reviewed publications or research reports, if any. 

Wānanga

If your application and supporting documentation meets the eligibility criteria for further consideration, you will be invited to attend an individual interview or wānanga online and a group discussion/wānanga. All applicants will be advised as soon as practicable of the outcome of the considerations and any appropriate next steps.

‘Fit and proper person’

If there are any circumstances in your personal or professional life that are disclosed as a part of your application, or become evident during your studies, these will be considered, with particular attention to fit and proper persons criteria, given that the qualification involves preparation for working in the counselling profession. Information disclosed in your application will be held confidential to the University staff involved in assessing your application.

The Master of Counselling qualification enables acceptance into provisional membership of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC), with advancement to full membership being based on meeting specific NZAC criteria.

Personal statement

The purpose of counselling (up to 50 words)

What do you see as the purpose of counselling when working with others in need?

Experiences in relation to the field of counselling (up to 150 words)

• What experiences have you had as part of your involvements (paid/voluntary) associated with human services; with particular attention to helping/counselling?
• If you have been a counselling client, indicate the broad nature of that involvement and what you made of the experience.
• Indicate whether you have previously undertaken any kind of counselling education/ training and describe the scope of that.

Personal qualities (up to 100 words)

• Describe your personal qualities that indicate your suitability and readiness to progress towards becoming a professional counsellor.
• What aspects of yourself do you regard as needing particular attention within training, to better prepare you to become a competent counsellor?
• If others who know you well were asked the same question about you, what you think they would say concerning what you need to work on?

Cultural awareness (up to 250 words)

Describe why an awareness of your cultural identity is important for working with others.

Fit and Proper Person (up to 100 words)

As part of the selection process you will be asked to sign that you understand and agree to the qualification’s Code of Conduct that aligns with the NZAC. Are there any circumstances in your personal or professional life that might lead to questions being raised as to your suitability to eventually become a registered member of the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) after your studies?

Heath and disability (up to 50 words)

Do you have any health impairment, mental health, trauma, addiction, or wellbeing issues that we need to know about to support you better in the qualification, or that could affect your future study? If 'yes', please briefly describe your condition and include your health management plan with your application documentation.

Any information provided in response to the above will be regarded as confidential to staff processing admission applications

Referees

We require the names and contact details of 2 referees who have known you in a professional capacity for more than a year. These should be people who have known you in the capacity of employer, educator, work colleague or person of community standing, eg Kaumatua, Minister, or similar. Your referees should not be a friend, flatmate, or relative, or someone who has known you for less than a year. The information such referees supply is confidential to those involved in the selection process.

Safety checks and disclosure of criminal convictions

All applicants are required to undergo several safety checks. This includes police vetting (including confirmation of identity) and further checks required under the Vulnerable Children Act 2014, Vulnerable Children Regulations 2015, and the Children’s Action Plan. You will be required to permit the Institute of Education to ask the New Zealand Police to disclose any information held about you on the Police records system.

Statement of Expectations

If you are selected into the Masters of Counselling you will be asked to sign a Statement of Expectations that reflects the professional nature of the qualification and its expectations about students' behaviour.

Prior learning, credit and exemptions

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

• review the Recognition of Prior Learning regulations
• contact us through the ‘Get advice’ button on this page.

English language skills

If you need help with your English language skills before you start university, see our English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses.

Maximum time limits for completion

There are maximum time limits to complete postgraduate qualifications. This qualification has a maximum time limit of 4 years. If you do not complete within the maximum time, you may be required to re-apply for the qualification if you wish to continue your studies.

Official regulations

To understand what you need to study and must complete to graduate read the official rules and regulations for this qualification.

You should read these together with all other relevant Statutes and Regulations of the University including the General Regulations for Postgraduate Degrees, Postgraduate Diplomas, and Postgraduate Certificates.

Returning students

For returning students, there may be changes to the majors and minors available and the courses you need to take. Go to the section called ‘Transitional Provisions’ in the Regulations to find out more.

In some cases the qualification or specialisation you enrolled in may no longer be taking new enrolments, so may not appear on these web pages. To find information on the regulations for these qualifications go to the Massey University Calendar.

Please contact us through the Get advice button on this page if you have any questions.

*This course is not available to international students.