Entry Requirements
An AQF 7 award in any discipline; OR a postgraduate qualification (AQF 8 or above) in counselling; OR an undergraduate qualification (
AQF 7) in Counselling
Study Mode
Flexible
Pathway
Master of Divinity
Doctor of Counselling
Duration
1.5 – 2 year full-time
or part-time equivalent
Career Options
Mentor, Chaplain, Pastoral Carer, Mission Worker, Youth Worker
AQF level
Level 9
Course details
CRICOS Provider Code: 02948J | CRICOS Course Code: 114821D
The Master of Counselling is a comprehensive Christian counselling course that equips students with a range of skills and practices across different counselling areas.
Offered in a blended delivery setting, the course emphasises cultural awareness and person-centred approaches, teaching essential modalities for effective counselling while guiding students in their professional development.
Twelve compulsory units unless specified*.
|
OVERVIEW |
SUBJECTS |
|---|---|
|
4 Stage 1 Units |
Introduction to Counselling Skills, Counselling Theories and Practice, Fundamentals of Psychology, and one of the following units: Human Development and Counselling, Addictions Counselling OR Relationship Counselling |
|
8 Stage 2 Units |
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy, Human Development and Counselling, Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss and Trauma, Solution-Focused Brief Therapy and Positive Psychology, Counselling for Mental Health and Wellness, Relationship Counselling, Ethical Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling, and Advanced Counselling Practicum |
|
*Required units may vary depending on the applicant’s basis of admission. |
Students not only receive a postgraduate qualification that can support their career in a number of professional settings, but they also receive the required eligibility for professional counselling association membership through the Australian Counselling Association (ACA).
Perth Bible College (PBC) is a Member Institution of Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD) and offers its Master of Counselling.
Admission to the Master of Counselling requires:
- Hold a three-year AQF 7 counselling award or equivalent, such as the AUCD Bachelor of Counselling, OR
- Hold a postgraduate qualification (AQF 8 or above) in Counselling, such as the AUCD Graduate Certificate in Counselling, OR
- Hold a three-year AQF 7 award in any discipline other than counselling, OR
- Hold an AQF 8 Vocational Graduate Diploma in Counselling (or equivalent), OR
- Qualify for professional entry as determined by the Student Support and Administration Committee, AND
- Satisfactorily completes a pre-enrolment interview with a relevant course advisor.
English Proficiency: Applicants whose entry qualifications were obtained in an institution where English is not the language of instruction normally require a minimum IELTS (or equivalent) score of 7.0 in all bands of the test. (Below information is AUCD-specific guidelines and may vary from the PBC course requirements.)
| Academic Level | AQF Level | Academic IELTS Band Score |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate | AQF 5-7 | 6.0 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each subset. |
| Postgraduate | AQF 8-9 | 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each subset. |
| Research | AQF 9-10 | 7.0 overall with a minimum of 7.0 in each subset. |
Applicants must confess their faith in Christ under the PBC Statement of Faith, be involved regularly in a local church, demonstrate a desire to be involved in church ministry, demonstrate the physical and psychological capacity for studying in a tertiary institution, agree to abide by PBC policies and procedures and agree to abide by the Student Code of Conduct.
Before applying, please ensure you have:
- A Unique Student Identifier number (USI). If you don’t have one, you can apply here. To find your number, click here.
- A PDF of your birth certificate, passport, and visa information (or a certified copy)
- A digital passport-style image
- A PDF of previous academic transcripts and certificates of completion (or a certified copy)
- Contact information for two chosen referees (2 non-related people who have known you for at least two years; preferably Christian)
- Contact information for your Pastor/Leader.
When you have all the required supporting information for your application.
In combination with meeting the general admission requirements, Overseas students must also provide:
- Evidence of English Proficiency (please scroll down to the FAQs for more information)
- A medical certificate verifying you are fit for study at a higher education institution
- $500 AUD application fee.
When you have all the required supporting information for your application, please apply online here.
The Master of Counselling is a higher education award provided by Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD).
CRICOS Provider Code: 02948J
CRICOS Course Code: 114821D
The Master of Counselling requires the completion of 108 credit points (12 units).
The number of compulsory units required for each applicant varies based on their entry point. The details of the different compulsory units can be found in the Master of Counselling Regulation.
The List of Master of Counselling Units: Two-year Cycle 2024 – 2025
The Master of Counselling is a higher education award provided by Australian University College of Divinity (AUCD).
CRICOS Provider Code: 02948J
CRICOS Course Code: 114821D
- C8100 Theory and Practice of Pastoral Counselling
- C8101 Human Development and Counselling
- C8102 Pastoral Counselling in Ministry
- C8103 Psychology and Leadership
- C8104 Fundamentals of Counselling Theories and Practice
- C8105 Advanced Counselling Theory and Practice I
- C8106 Fundamentals of Psychology
- C8121 Group Processes
- C8136 Pastoral Counselling: Marriage and Family
- C8145 Pastoral Counselling: Grief, Loss and Trauma
- *C8150 Child and Adolescent Counselling
- C8153 Human Sexuality in the Helping Professions
- *C8154 Relationship Counselling
- *C8156 Family Counselling
- C8166 Wellbeing and Resilience for People Helpers
- C8170 Fundamental Principles of Pastoral Supervision
- C9222 Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) and Positive Psychology (PP)
- *C9223 Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Dialectical Behaviour Therapy
- *C9225 Counselling for Mental Health and Wellness
- C9229 Ethical and Professional Issues in Pastoral Counselling
- C9242 Advanced Counselling Practicum
- C9243 Pastoral Counselling: Addiction
- C9260 Narrative Therapy, Trauma and Growth
- B9209 Trauma Hermeneutics
- P9224 Working and Caring in Mental Health
- P9225 Spiritual Care in Cases of Grief and Loss
- P8175 Professional Supervision Practicum
- T8147 Suffering and Hope: Theological Reflections
- X8190 Research Methodology
- X9298 Research Essay (18cp)
- *New Unit to be added to curriculum
FAQ
Enrolment
Enrolment process
Before the beginning of each trimester, each student shall apply for enrolment by completing and lodging an enrolment form, obtainable from the Admin Office or via Moodle (PBC awards only).
The Dean of Students and the Dean of Studies will arrange enrolment appointment days for enrolling new and returning students. These meetings will allow each student to receive advice on which units to enrol in, ensuring they will meet the requirements of their course.
Enrolment forms must be completed before attending lectures for that trimester. All enrolments must be finalised by the census date. Students cannot add new units or transfer between units after the census date.
Students may apply to change their course enrolment at the beginning of a new trimester up until the census date.
Students must complete an Application for Change of Enrolment form to make such an application. Students must meet the requirements outlined in the Course Articulation and Change of Course Policy to qualify to change course enrolment.
Deferment
PBC may permit the deferral of a course enrolment of a student in some circumstances, as outlined in the Enrolment – Domestic Students Policy and Enrolment – Overseas Students Policy.
Fees and charges
PBC’s most current fee structure can be found on the Course Fees page.
Academic requirements
Please carefully read the academic requirements as listed on the award that you are interested in pursuing.
English Language Proficiency
The Australian Government requires incoming overseas students to demonstrate their proficiency in English before a student visa will be granted. You are required to complete an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) assessment unless you can provide evidence of studying in English from one of the following options:
- At least five years of study in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Republic of Ireland, South Africa, the United Kingdom or the United States, or
- Successful completion in Australia of a foundation course, Senior Secondary Certificate of Education or a substantial part of a Certificate IV or higher-level qualification from the Australian Qualifications Framework, within two years of your application date.
The applicant should ask the IELTS testing authority to mail the test results directly to The Dean of Students, PBC. The following standards are the English language requirements for PBC courses:
| Course | IELTS Band Score |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Diploma | 6.0 overall and in the reading and writing subsets. |
| Associate Degree | 6.0 overall and in the reading and writing subsets. |
| Bachelor Degree | 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each subset. |
| Graduate Diploma | 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each subset. |
| Master Degree | 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in each subset. |
Student and Campus Services
Student support is an important aspect at PBC.
We take our students’ success in their studies seriously and understand that good student support requires a holistic approach. As a result of our commitment to our students, we have consistently been ranked above 90% for the student support aspect in the national Student Experience Survey facilitated by the QILT team.
Read more about Student and Campus Services.
Additional Information
Access and equity
PBC does not discriminate in the admission and access to its programs and activities based on disability, age, sex, race, colour of national or ethnic origin.