International Students - Singapore

Master of Social Science in Counselling

Welcome

I am delighted to welcome you to the University of South Australia. As the largest body of members of the University and as the consumers of the great majority of our staff effort, students have a key role in continuing to develop the distinctive identity of the University of South Australia. You are now part of a forward looking and innovative University that provides high quality learning and research programs to educate professionals, apply knowledge and serve the community.

Through our collaborative arrangement with the Asia Pacific Manage Institute you will be able to study for your award, the Master of Social Science in Counselling in Singapore and will receive support from both Asia Pacific Manage Institute tutors and lecturers of the University of South Australia.

The Asia Pacific Manage Institute is well established in Singapore as a provider of quality programs and has considerable experience in working with overseas institutions for the provision of postgraduate awards.

I hope you will find your studies enjoyable and rewarding and wish you every success in this most important endeavour.

Yours sincerely

Mr. Greg Ireland,
Program Director,
Master of Social Science in Counselling (Transnational)

Program Details
Program Structure
Course Descriptions – (Word Format)
General Information
Administrative Information - (Word Format)
Frequently Asked Questions – (Word Format)
Partners
Staff Profiles
Links

Program Details

The University of South Australia (UniSA) is one of Australia's major institutions of higher learning and consists of 6 campuses located in the capital city of South Australia, Adelaide and the regional city of Whyalla.

The University has around 23,000 students of whom about 4,200 are postgraduate, and has approximately 2,000 staff. The University has a long and successful experience of co-operation with the Asia Pacific Management Institute.

Qualifications from undergraduate to PhD level in some 40 professional disciplines are offered by the University which has established a strong teaching and research reputation in applied science, art and design, engineering, the health sciences, management and commerce, teacher education, and the social sciences.

The School of Psychology

The Counselling Program is part of the School of Psychology in the University of South Australia. The School runs a variety of undergraduate Psychology programs and postgraduate programs at the Masters and Doctoral level. Within the School, there are circa ten academic staff who are directly involved in the Master of Counselling program.

Program Objectives

The program is designed to provide further academic and professional upgrading to individuals now working, or planning to work in the broad field of human services. The program will enable graduates to achieve a high level of mastery in counselling knowledge and skills through a program which integrates contemporary research, theory and practice.

On completion of the program, students will have:

developed a sound knowledge of the theoretical underpinning of counselling as a professional helping activity;
developed high level skills in intervening with people and developing appropriate strategies for problem solving;
developed and extended their awareness of themselves and their resource profile as counsellors;
developed an ability to access and understand contemporary research in counselling.

Characteristics of the Program

Face-to-face teaching by UniSA faculty at Asia Pacific Management Institute
Regular support contact possible by fax and e-mail with UniSA faculty
Access to the Asia Pacific Management Institute Resource Centre

Mode of Study

The Masters program is offered part-time on a term basis over one and half years by taking two courses in each term. Face-to-face classes/seminars will be conducted by UniSA faculty in Singapore during two weekday evenings and Saturday and Sunday. Further academic support is provided by means of specially designed learning packages, including textbooks. Students will be able to contact UniSA academic staff through fax and e-mail.

Assessment

Continuous assessment typically in the form of assignment in each course is required. There are no examinations.

Admission Requirement

Applicants for the Master of Social Science in Counselling should hold a recognised undergraduate degree. Applicants are normally expected to be involved in, or familiar with, professional practice related to education, health, human services or related areas.

Graduates from a variety of awards will be eligible to undertake the program, including health and care workers, physiotherapists, social workers, teachers, medical therapists, psychologist, occupational therapists, ministers of religion and others. The program is designed to allow students from a broad cross-section of backgrounds to benefit from the program integrating with their particular education, work and professional experience.

Program Structure

The Masters Degree in Social Science - Counselling consists of twelve 4.5 unit courses which are completed in six trimesters over a period of two years.

Each course contains material about the knowledge/theory base of counselling, practice strategies and skills, and materials to strengthen the identity, confidence and competence of the student in becoming a practising counsellor. The particular focus or emphasis of each course is identified in the table below. This indicates the 'balance' of the program in respect to the following five major educational emphases:

A focus on developing counselling skills
A focus on theory perspectives in counselling
A focus on the development of the counsellor as a person
A focus on research in counselling
A focus on field practice

The following is an indication of how the program is presented over the six terms.

TERM	1	2	3	4	5	6	UNITS
FOCUS
1. Skills	CP	CFC	TS	CATC			18.0
2. Theory		CT		EI	CIC		13.5
3. Personal Development			DTIC		IS		9.0
4. Research	RIC					CPRO	9.0
5. Field Practice						CFE	9.0
						Total	54.0

Link to: Course Descriptions

General Information

Program Outlines

Counselling programs have been operated by the University and its precursors for some 20 years and there is now a very substantial number of graduates occupying important practitioner positions and counselling management roles in South Australia and other states of Australia.

The Master of Social Science in Counselling is an evidence-based program taking an eclectic theoretical position. It is a program, which seeks to integrate practice components into the courses, which make up the program linking practice to a thorough study of the course's research and theory.

The program is intended for mature adults from a wide range of backgrounds who have work or professional experience that is directly involved with counselling or where counselling is an important but tangential part of their role. The program is not for those who come straight from a psychology or social science degree with no work experience.

Mode of Study

The Masters program is offered part-time on a trimester basis over two years by taking two courses in each semester. Face-to-face classes/seminars will be conducted by University of South Australia staff in Singapore supported by tutorials with local tutors in each course during weekday evenings or Saturday afternoons. Further academic support is provided by means of specially designed learning packages, including a textbook. Students will be able to contact University of South Australia academic staff via email or fax.

Aims and Objectives

On completion of the program, students will have:

developed a sound knowledge of the theoretical underpinning of counselling as a professional helping activity;
developed high level skills in intervening with people and developing appropriate strategies for problem solving;
developed and extended their understanding, expertise and skills in a chosen area of counselling through the design and completion of a research project.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for the Master of Social Science in Counselling should hold a recognised undergraduate degree. Applicants are normally expected to be involved in, or familiar with professional practice related to education, health, human services or related areas.

Potential candidates for the Master of Social Science in Counselling program must demonstrate a high motivation to undertake an intensive program. They should also be able to show success in their careers to date and be able to envisage how this program fits into their career plans for the future.

It will be an advantage to have access to email and the internet as the program has its own website.

Admission Procedures

Applications for the Master of Social Science in Counselling program must be lodged in early March for the June intake, and early July for the October intake.

At the time of application, applicants will need to provide the APMI office:

• completed University of South Australia and APMI application forms
• two full sets of photocopies of academic credentials including transcripts and certificates of awards
• application fee

Enquiries should be directed to helen.newton@unisa.edu.au