Department of Psychology, Masters in Counselling Program

Introduction

The Department of Psychology is now home to the Masters in Counselling Program. The Counselling Program is designed to prepare counsellors to provide professional services in counselling offered in social service agencies, community health organizations, non-profit societies’ supporting vulnerable populations, schools, and post-secondary institutions.  Students pursuing this degree focus on understanding and addressing the contemporary challenges and complexities of human behaviour across the lifespan with special attention to the diverse nature of the clientele.  The program provides students with comprehensive, theoretical and experiential curricular and supervised clinical experiences to potentially meet the requirements of the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) and the Canadian Counsellors and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA).

Admission

Because the number of spaces in the MEd degree in Counselling are limited, the admission process is very competitive. Admission is by a selection process that is conducted annually during the winter semester. See below for information on how to apply.

The deadline for applications is December 15.

References:

The requirements in terms of the three referees - The best referees are people who have supervised/evaluated any of your employment or academic experience which could include supervisors or professors. These are considered stronger referees rather than colleagues, friends, or relatives. References from colleagues that have not evaluated your work would normally be regarded as a weaker referees.  

MEd Counselling routes

Students will be accepted into the Counselling Program under the comprehensive examination route leading to the MEd degree. During the course of study, the student may apply for permission to the Program to transfer to the Project of Thesis route.

Comprehensive examination route

The comprehensive examination route of study requires the successful completion of a comprehensive examination that evaluates a candidate’s knowledge of theory, practice and research. The comprehensive exam route includes successful completion of all required courses a minimum of three electives and passing the written exam.

Project route

The project route emphasizes the study of theory and practice and the successful completion of an innovative applied research idea or development project that addresses a particular aspect of practice. The project route requires the successful completion of all required courses and a minimum of two electives and successful completion of the written project.

Thesis route

The thesis route emphasizes academic study, research and the successful completion of a thesis. This degree route is designed to develop each student’s ability to evaluate theory and practice and conduct research that contributes to the discipline. The thesis route requires the successful completion of all required courses, a minimum of one elective and the completion of a thesis and the successful defence of it in an oral examination.

Counselling program

Students entering the program before 2024

The Counselling Program includes an integrated set of required courses, elective courses and either a comprehensive examination, project or thesis. Students in the comp route must complete 8 required courses and 3 elective courses and a comprehensive examination.  Students in the project route would complete 8 required courses, 2 electives and a project. Students in the thesis route would complete 8 required courses, 1 elective and the thesis.

Required core courses

  • COUN 601-3: Education Research and Analysis Methods
  • COUN 613-3: Interpersonal Counselling Skills
  • COUN 711-3: Counselling Theory
  • COUN 712-3: Counselling Practice
  • COUN 714-3: Group Counselling Processes
  • COUN 717-3: Ethics in Counselling
  • COUN 719-6: Counselling Practicum (minimum 8 months full-time)
  • COUN 610-4: Qualitative Analysis in Education or PSYC 600-4: Univariate Statistics

Elective courses

  • COUN 618-3: Working with Parents and Families
  • COUN 619-3: Counselling for Aboriginal/Indigenous Peoples
  • COUN 692-3: Special Topics including:
    • Assessment in Counselling 
    • Child and Youth Counselling
    • Substance Abuse Counselling
    • Trauma Counselling
    • Multicultural and Diversity Counselling
  • COUN 693-3: Directed Reading
  • COUN 715-3: Career Counselling
  • COUN 716-3: Clinical Counselling
  • COUN 795-3: Research Seminar

Thesis, project or comprehensive examination

  • COUN 797-3: MEd Comprehensive Examination
  • COUN 798-6: MEd Project
  • COUN 799-9: MEd Thesis

The Counselling program is designed to prepare counsellors to provide professional services and leadership in counselling and psycho-educational programs offered in schools, post-secondary institutions, social service agencies, and community health organizations. Students have the opportunity to choose the type(s) of counselling they wish to focus upon, and to complete periods of supervised clinical practice in practicum settings that are relevant to their interests, based on availability. The program includes an integrated core of required courses, elective courses, and a thesis, project or comprehensive examination. Counselling students are required to complete eleven required courses, three elective courses, and a comprehensive examination. Application can be made to the Department of Psychology to enter a thesis or project route after completion of at least 12 credit hours of coursework. If approved, the thesis route would consist of eleven required courses, one elective, and the thesis, while a project route would consist of eleven required courses, two electives, and a project.

Admission for 2024 and onward

Application deadlines can be found in the Graduate Programs ÂÜÀòÉäÇø and Regulations section of the Graduate Calendar.

Admission to the MEd Counselling program at the Prince George campus occurs each September; deadline for applications is December 15 of the prior year.

Admission to the program at regional campuses does not normally occur each year and will vary in response to demand and resources. In addition to the admission application requirements outlined in section 1.0 of the Graduate ÂÜÀòÉäÇø and Regulations, priority will be given to those applicants applying for the MEd Counselling program who have (a) graduated with a Baccalaureate degree a minimum of two years prior to the admission date to which they are applying, and (b) obtained some paid or unpaid work experience in a helping capacity at a counsellingrelated or teaching-related setting since receiving their Baccalaureate degree. Applicants are also required to submit a curriculum vitae or résumé that indicates the number of hours in each employment or volunteer position. A list of any scholarships or publications should also be included.

Criminal record review

In addition to meeting the admission application requirements outlined in Section 1.0 of the Graduate ÂÜÀòÉäÇø and Regulations, all applicants to the (MEd) Counselling program are required to submit a Criminal Record Check search prior to the first day of classes in their entry semester.

Domestic applicants must supply a Criminal Record Check search result after receiving an offer of admission and before the first day of classes; the search result is not required with the application.

International applicants must submit a Criminal Record Check search result provided by their local police authority upon application, and will also be required to submit a British Columbia Criminal Record Check if offered admission.

The Office of the Registrar will provide instructions to domestic and international applicants who have accepted offers of admission on how to complete a British Columbia Criminal Record Check.

Requirements

Provided that such courses have not been associated with the receipt of either a degree or diploma from ÂÜÀòÉäÇø or another educational institution, students may apply to the Dean for up to 6 credit hours of previously completed graduate-level coursework that is equivalent to that completed in the MEd program. Where equivalent courses have been associated previously with the receipt of either a degree or diploma, students are permitted to elect alternative courses from the MEd program to satisfy the requirements for the degree.

Students in an MEd Program may take up to 6 credit hours of elective coursework from ÂÜÀòÉäÇø programs other than Counselling or from other institutions under the Western Deans' Agreement (students require permission of their Academic Supervisor and the Chair).

Thesis requirement

The thesis route emphasizes academic study, research, and the successful completion of a thesis. This program route is designed to develop each student's ability to evaluate theory and practice, and conduct research that contributes to the counselling discipline. The thesis route requires the successful completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate coursework and includes 9 credit hours of supervised research culminating in the completion of a thesis and the successful defence of it in an oral examination.

Project requirement

The project route emphasizes the study of theory and practice, and the successful completion of an innovative and applied project that addresses a particular aspect of counselling support and practice. This program route is designed to develop a student's ability to evaluate and improve professional practice in counselling. The project route requires the successful completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate coursework and includes 6 credit hours of supervised applied research and development culminating in a non-defendable project.

Comprehensive examination requirement

The comprehensive examination route requires the successful completion of a comprehensive examination that evaluates a student's knowledge of theory, research, and practice in his/her field of study. This comprehensive examination route is designed to enhance and reinforce a student's knowledge of both theory and practice, as well as their interrelationship. The comprehensive examination route requires the successful completion of a minimum of 48 credit hours of graduate coursework including 3 credit hours awarded upon the successful completion of a written comprehensive examination at the end of the student's program. Application can be made to the Counselling Program to enter a thesis or project route after having completed at least 12 credit hours of coursework.

Required courses

  • COUN 601-3 Educational Research Design and Methodology
  • COUN 613-3 Interpersonal Counselling Skills
  • COUN 618-3 Family Counselling
  • COUN 619-3 Counselling for Aboriginal/Indigenous Peoples
  • COUN 612-3 (previously 692-3) Trauma Counselling
  • COUN 711-3 Counselling Theory
  • COUN 712-3 Counselling Practice
  • COUN 714-3 Group Counselling Processes
  • COUN 717-3 Ethics in Counselling
  • COUN 719-6 Counselling Practicum

One of the following research courses is required; the other may be taken as elective credit:

  • COUN 602-3 Quantitative Research Design and Data Analysis
  • COUN 610-3 Qualitative Analysis in Education

Elective courses

  • COUN 633- 3 Human Development: Implications for Education
  • COUN 692- 3 Special Topics including (Assessment in Counselling, Child and Youth Counselling, Multicultural Counselling
  • COUN 693- 3 Directed Reading
  • COUN 715- 3 Career Counselling
  • COUN 716- 3 Clinical Counselling
  • COUN 795- 3 Research Seminar

Thesis, project or comprehensive examination

  • COUN 797-3 Comprehensive Examination
  • COUN 798-6 MEd Project
  • COUN 799-9 MEd Thesis

Course availability

Students should consult the ÂÜÀòÉäÇø Registration Guide each semester concerning the availability of courses listed for the MEd degree.  Some of the elective courses listed may not be offered during a particular semester or sequence of semesters. Course offerings will be determined by student program needs and the availability of instructors.

Full-time or part-time studies

In addition to full-time students, the Counselling Program attempts to accommodate part-time students who may hold full-time jobs. For this reason, most of the courses are offered in the evening as well as during Summer Session so they can be accessed by persons who work full-time. It is also recommended that students who are in the project or thesis route complete their research courses during the first half of the MEd Program.

How to apply

Frequently asked questions

If you're thinking about applying or have been accepted into the program please read our frequently asked questions.

Commonly Used Forms - search in the tool bar at the top "Grad Forms" and it will bring you to the Graduate Studies Form Page. 

If you require additional information about the application procedures or your eligibility for admission to graduate studies, or you require an off-line application form, please email Graduate ÂÜÀòÉäÇø at graduate-admissions@unbc.ca.

Contacts

Dr. Linda O’Neill
Associate Professor, Counselling
Community Counselling Centre (CCC) Clinical Coordinator
Office: 10-3594
Phone: 250-960-6414 
Email: linda.o'neill@unbc.ca

Dr. John Sherry
Assistant Professor, Counselling 
Approved Clinical Supervisor (ACS)
Office: 10-3552
Phone: 250-960-5961
Email: john.sherry@unbc.ca

Caitlin Berg
Administrative Assistant
Office: 10-3538
Phone: 250-960-6666
Email: caitlin.berg@unbc.ca