Master of Science (Counselling)

INTRODUCTION

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The Master of Science (Counselling) programme is a 52 credit hour programme designed for people who want to work as licensed professionals in the counseling field. As such applicants for the programme should pass an interview and/or psychology test before being granted candidature. This programme is offered in both coursework and research mode.

WHAT YOU WILL GAIN FROM THE COUNSELLING PROGRAM

The Master of Science in Counselling degree program is designed to meet the needs of the working professional, teaching you material one day that you can use at work the next day.

You will gain the knowledge to:

  • demonstrate the ability to function as a professional counsellor.
  • provide detailed descriptions of counselling theories, as well as other relevant theories in assessment, human development, human diversity, ethics and research
  • provide detailed descriptions of the major approaches to counselling applications
  • evaluate your strengths and weaknesses as a counsellor
  • display the commitment to counsellor identity and the ethical and legal standards of the profession
  • display appropriate interpersonal and professional behavior that includes effective communication and feedback, emotional maturity, flexibility, sensitivity, commitment to personal growth, group membership and professional orientation
  • construct and implementing appropriate interventions
  • develop and display an appropriate style of counseling practice with supervision and guidance from practicing professionals.

ADDITIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENT

Applicants for Master of Science (Counselling) programme must pass an interview and/or a psychology test.

Application forms and submission details can be accessed via Awang Had Salleh Graduate School (AHSGS).

PROGRAMME STRUCTURE

A) Coursework

The 52 credit hours that students have to undergo throughout this course are divided into three (3) components. The components and their corresponding courses are as follows:

Research Methods and Applied Statistics (7 credit hours)

  • SSMQ5033 Applied Statistics and Computer Application
  • SZRZ6014 Research Methodology

Theory of Counseling, Psychotherapy, Personality and Career (30 credit hours)

  • SSKC5113 Theory and Practice of Individual Counseling
  • SSKC5123 Theory and Practice of Group Counseling
  • SSKC5133 Theory and Practice of Family and Marriage Counseling
  • SSKC5223 Applied Career Counseling
  • SSKC5223 Contemporary Career Seminar
  • SSKC5303 Counseling Ethics and Counselor Act 1998 (Act 580)
  • SSYM5223 Adolescence and Adult Psychology
  • SSYP5113 Psychological Testing and Assessment
  • SSYP5313 Theories of Personality and Psychotherapy
  • SSYS5313 Applied Social Psychology

Project Paper (6 credit hours)

  • SSKZ6996 Project Paper

Practicum and Internship (9 credit hours)

  • SSKX5983 Counseling Practicum
  • SSKX5996 Internship

FULL-TIME COURSE STRUCTURE

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
Code Course Credit Code Course Credit
SSYP5313 Theories of Personality and Psychotherapy 3 SSYS5313 Applied Social Psychology 3
SSKC5113 Theory and Practice of Individual Counseling 3 SSKC5213 Applied Career Counseling 3
SSYM5223 Adolescence and Adult Psychology 3 SSKC5303 Counseling Ethics and Counselor Act 1998(Act 580) 3
SSKC5133 Theory and Practice of Family and Marriage Counseling 3 SSMQ5033 Applied Statistics and Computer Application 3
SSKC5123 Theory and Practice of Group Counseling 3 SSYP5113 Psychological Testing and Assessment 3
Total 15 Total 15
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
Code Course Credit Code Course Credit
SZRZ6014 Research Methodology 4 SSKZ6996 Project Paper 6
SSKC5223 Contemporary Career Seminar 3 SSKX5996 Internship 6
SSKX5983 Counseling Practicum 3      
Total 10 Total 12

PART-TIME COURSE STRUCTURE

SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
Code Course Credit Code Course Credit
SSYP5313 Theories of Personality and Psychotherapy 3 SSKC5133 Theory and Practice of Family and Marriage Counseling 3
SSKC5113 Theory and Practice of Individual Counseling 3 SSKC5123 Theory and Practice of Group Counseling 3
SSYM5223 Theory and Practice of Group CounselingAdolescence and Adult Psychology 3 SSYS5313 Applied Social Psychology 3
Total 9 Total 9
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
Code Course Credit Code Course Credit
SSKC5303 Counseling Ethics and Counselor Act 1998 (Act 580) 3 SSKC5223 Contemporary Career Seminar 3
SSMQ5033 Applied Statistics and Computer Application 3 SZRZ6014 Research Methodology 4
Total 9 Total 10
SEMESTER 1 SEMESTER 2
Code Course Credit Code Course Credit
SSKZ6996 Project Paper 6 SSKX5996 Internship 6
SSKX5983 Counseling Practicum 3      
Total 9 Total 6

B) Research

In the research mode, students will be involved in a fully supervised research project covering their selected topic or research interest. This approach enables the students to gain experience in exploring problems, analysing ideas and theories, evaluating practice, synthesizing and linking knowledge with practice, utilizing research methods and producing new ideas in various areas of counseling practices. In the process, students are required to:

  • present and defend proposed research to a committee
  • present progress reports of research work at colloquium arranged by the Graduate School or College
  • attend a viva session to defend the thesis, and
  • submit a final thesis.

Students without sufficient research skills and knowledge are required to attend and pass the following courses with at least a B grade before being allowed to defend their proposal (i.e., within the first two semesters of their enrollment):

  • SZRZ6014 Research Methodology
  • SCLE6014 Academic Writing, and/or
  • any other course as determined by the supervisor or Academic Committee.