Monash University Malaysia's Master of Professional Counselling (MoPC) programme is tailored to address these problems, equipping students with the requisite skills.
THE United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) act as a blueprint for global action to achieve a better and more sustainable future for all, and the inclusion of mental health in SDG sheds light on its importance in achieving global development goals.
According to the World Health Organization, depression is one of the leading causes of disability and suicide is the fourth leading cause of death among 15 to 29-year-olds.
To address this issue, it is paramount that mental healthcare professionals be equipped with the right skills when dealing with patients.
Monash University Malaysia's Master of Professional Counselling (MoPC) programme is tailored to address these problems, equipping students with the requisite skills.
The programme is touted as a skill-based course and is taught by leading academics with extensive experience working as counsellors and psychologists – perfectly suited for those who are interested in the counselling profession and other professions where counselling skills can be valuable, such as teaching, social work, advocacy and human resources.
Besides that, the programme offers a combination of theory and professional experience, providing students with the knowledge and skills to begin a rewarding career as culturally competent counsellors in Malaysia and the region.
Monash MoPC graduates will be able to apply to practise in Malaysia as well as in Australia.
It is also gearing up students to be culturally competent counsellors that is recognised by professional bodies in Malaysia and Australia, with 768 hours of clinical placements, comprising 300 hours of client contact and 468 hours of non-contact placement activities.
Students start their clinical placements with the on-site counselling facilities and will be assigned to experienced counselling supervisors who are trained to deliver a consistent counselling supervision process.
Following this, students can pursue placements in external internship sites of their choice to accumulate more field-specific experience with clinical supervision. They will have access to more than 20 options for internship sites through the Monash network, which can also be done in their home state in Malaysia.
Students will be privy to an excellent team of highly experienced and accredited academics and psychologists and access to world-class labs and facilities, including a fully-fledged counselling clinic with group and individual counselling rooms equipped with recording devices and panic buttons.
There will also be a staff on-call for any emergency that develops during the counselling session.
Monash graduates will receive a 10% tuition fee waiver for this course. Non-Monash students will still be eligible for a partial tuition fee waiver for full-time study if they meet the requirements.
Whether full-time or part-time study, both will have the same access to all the resources. Moreover, it is fully accredited by the Malaysian Board of Counsellors, the Australian Counselling Association, and the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia.
Graduates should be able to work as a counsellor (Kaunselor Berdaftar/Perakuan Amalan) with an advanced level of knowledge and awareness of the professional issues involved in undertaking counselling as a profession in Malaysia and the region. They will be able to work in settings such as community mental health clinics, schools, health centres, workplaces and private practices.
What’s more, graduates will be eligible to apply to practise in Malaysia as well as in Australia.
For more information on the Master of Professional Counselling programme, visit Monash University's official website.
