Master of Counselling

At a glance

Credential: master's degree
Credits: 36
Next start: see program details

The online Master of Counselling program at Athabasca University equips you with the essential knowledge, skills, and judgment to address a wide range of emotional, cognitive, and behavioural issues, preparing you for adaptable roles in diverse settings.

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About Master of Counselling

Athabasca University's Master of Counselling program is a flexible, online learning experience designed to prepare you for a fulfilling career as a counselling therapist, counselling psychologist, or psychotherapist. The program offers a specialized track in Counselling Psychology, which is approved by the College of Alberta Psychologists. Whether you opt for the course-based or thesis route, the program meets the graduate coursework requirements for licensure as a Registered Psychologist in Alberta. Please note that an additional 30 to 36 psychology credits, generally at the undergraduate level, are required to meet the College of Alberta Psychologists’ academic requirements.

Admission requirements

Admission requirements include an undergraduate degree with a minimum grade point average (GPA), a minimum number of credits in psychology or educational psychology, and experience in the field of counselling (preferred).

See full Master of Counselling admission requirements

Program details

Overview

The Master of Counselling is a 36-credit online graduate program. Learners must complete at least 24 credits through Athabasca University.

Because non-thesis learners require a total of 72 psychology credits for registration in Alberta, learners who intend to seek registration as a psychologist in Alberta must have 36 credits in addition to the 36 credits in the Master of Counselling program. For learners without 36 undergraduate credits, options include:

taking additional graduate courses in GCAP
taking undergraduate psychology courses from Athabasca University or another institution

There is only one Master of Counselling intake each year. The application deadline is Feb. 1 and classes start in Sept. (fall term). All courses are paced with defined start and end dates.

Application deadlines and start dates

Application deadline	Start date
Feb. 1	Sept.

Routes and options

We offer:

Master of Counselling: Counselling Psychology
The courses in the Counselling Psychology specialization are designed to meet the graduate course requirements for licensure as a registered psychologist with the College of Alberta Psychologists. Learners from other provinces are responsible for checking their provincial regulatory body for licensure requirements.
Learn more about the Counselling Psychology specialization

Completion times

Finish this program in as little as 3.5 years of full-time study. You can take up to 7 years to complete all requirements.

Tuition and fees

Understanding how higher education fees and tuition are calculated is important to ensure you stay within your budget and make informed decisions.

Financial aid and awards

We're dedicated to supporting your academic goals and committed to helping you overcome financial barriers by providing many funding and award options.

Explore financial aid and awards

Fees

The following fees are effective for courses starting Sep. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025. All fees are quoted in Canadian dollars and are subject to change. Academic-related fees are exempt from the Federal Goods and Services Tax (GST). GST is added to all other goods and services, for example, workshops, some publications, self-help seminars, and Athabasca University promotional sales items.

program application and admission fees
Program application fee (non-refundable) required each time a person applies:	$197
Program admission fee (payable upon acceptance into the program and non-refundable)	$255
Non-program application fee (non-refundable) required only once:	$124

learners in Canada and out
Learners living in Canada	$1,866¹
Learners living outside Canada	$2,111¹

¹ Master of Counselling (MC) course tuition fees now include a Course Administration and Technology Fee of $58 and Course Materials fee of $37 per course and are included in this calculation. This calculation also includes the Athabasca University Graduate Students Association (AUGSA) fee of $14 per credit.

program fees
Program fee per 3-credit course (non-refundable)	$676
Program fee per 6-credit course (non-refundable)	$1,352
Total program fee (non-refundable)²	$8,112

² The total program fee is split up and charged with individual course registrations.

Estimated program tuition cost (2024-2025):

The total tuition cost for a learner living in Canada who takes all courses from Athabasca University, over a 3 ⅓ year period, would be $30,4504 ($1,866 x 12 = $22,392, 3-credit course equivalents, plus program fees of $8,112 for a total of $30,504). AUGSA fees are included in the above calculations. Application, admission, and Art Therapy specialization fees are not included in the above calculation.

The Athabasca University Graduate Student Association Fee of $14 per credit will be added to the Course Registration Fee.

Other fees

other fees
Transfer credit evaluation fee	$348/course
Course extension fee (this fee applies to extensions of all FHD graduate courses, regardless of credit weight)	$334
Letter of Permission fee:	$100
Course withdrawal processing fee²:	$453
AU Graduate Student Association fee (per credit):	$13

² The course withdrawal processing fee is a mandatory administrative fee charged when a learner withdraws from a course. For early withdrawal only, the student will be refunded the full course tuition fees (see above) less the course withdrawal processing fee. Refer to the information about course withdrawal under Course regulations and procedures.

Art Therapy fees

In addition to the fees described above, learners in the Art Therapy specialization will pay additional fees to meet certification requirements of the Canadian Art Therapy Association.

Fee information effective Sep. 1, 2024, to Aug. 31, 2025.

Courses

In Athabasca University's Master of Counselling program, you'll engage in a comprehensive curriculum that includes core courses focused on essential counselling skills, professional ethics, and research methods, as well as specialized practicum experiences to apply what you've learned. Whether you choose the course-based or thesis route, you'll have the opportunity to delve into elective courses that cater to your interests and career goals, rounding out your academic journey.

To complete the program you will need to fulfill all the general requirements of the Master of Counselling.

Our program regulations plans can give you an idea of what courses you need to finish this program. If you’re feeling stuck, our academic advisors can help.

Program regulations

Courses to explore

Below are some of the courses that our students take in this program. Please consult an advisor to confirm any course planning, as some of these courses may not apply to you.

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Career options

After completing Athabasca University's Master of Counselling program, you'll be well-prepared for a variety of career paths in settings such as health care facilities, educational institutions, private practice, and community organizations. Whether you aspire to be a professional counsellor, counselling psychologist, or even a specialist in areas like family therapy or adolescent counselling, this program equips you with the skills and credentials to make a meaningful impact in the field.

Depending on your experience and goals, some possible careers could be:

professional counsellor
counselling psychologist
school counsellor
mental health therapist
marriage and family therapist
rehabilitation counsellor
substance abuse counsellor
career counsellor
child and adolescent counsellor
clinical supervisor
corporate wellness counsellor
crisis intervention specialist

Resources and links

Additional information that you need to know about AU and this program.

Program resources

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