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The University is ranked first in Australia and fourth in the world for graduate employability in the QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020.
Find out moreThe University is ranked fourth in the world for sport, physical therapy and rehabilitation in the QS Subject Rankings 2020.
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Provide life-changing support. The Master of Rehabilitation Counselling prepares you for professional practice as a rehabilitation counsellor. Offered both on campus and by distance/online, you will learn how to assist people with disabilities or disadvantage to achieve maximum participation in employment and community life through assessment, counselling, service provision and support.
During this two-year degree, you will be taught by leading academics as you learn how to provide specialist counselling, rehabilitation, and case management services to people who have experienced injury, disability or social disadvantage. You will have the opportunity to advance your knowledge in specialist areas of mental health, alcohol and drug misuse, developmental disability, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), public offenders, or other interest areas as approved by the course director.
As part of your studies, you will also complete a number of clinical and professional fieldwork opportunities across both the public and private sectors which will enable you to practically apply your knowledge and gain firsthand experience. As a graduate entry program, this course is designed to accommodate all suitably qualified candidates regardless of their previous discipline. However, a formal background in psychology, rehabilitation, or related subjects is desirable.
The Master of Rehabilitation Counselling course an accredited program. As a qualified rehabilitation counsellor, you will have the opportunity to assist diverse clientele across a range of settings including business and industry, tertiary health, social service, advocacy, and private practice.
Why study with us?
How will you learn?
The course is offered on campus and by distance/ online.
Who should study this course?
Health and non-health graduates who are looking to gain the skills required for professional practice as a rehabilitation counsellor.
Learn more about studying health sciences at Sydney.
Commonwealth Supported Places (CSP) are available for this course for eligible domestic students. This means that your course fees are subsidised by the Australian Government and you pay a student contribution amount (SCA). CSP places are limited in number and are allocated based on academic merit.
There are no specialisations for this course.
You will follow a prescribed course of study with a total 96 credit points, including fourteen core units (84cp) and two elective units (12cp).
Sample study plan:
Year |
Sem |
|
|
Year 1 |
S1 |
Rehabilitation Counselling I |
Rehabilitation Resource Management |
Assessment, Evaluation & Planning |
Applied Vocational Rehabilitation |
||
S2 |
Rehabilitation Counselling II |
BioPsychoSocial Aspects of Disability |
|
Disability Management |
Workers’ Compensation and Rehabilitation |
||
Year 2 |
S1 |
Disability, Public Policy and Change |
Professional Practice 1 |
Disability Research and Evidence in Practice |
Elective |
||
S2 |
Inclusive Community Development |
Professional Practice 2 |
|
Elective |
Rehabilitation Counselling Capstone |
For more information on the course structure and content, view the Health Sciences Handbook.
To be eligible to apply you will need to fulfill the following criteria:
(This does not guarantee an offer of a place as places are limited and offers are made based on academic merit)
Admission process
For more information on the graduate entry masters admission process for domestic and international applicants, read this document.
Inherent Requirements
Inherent requirements are the essential tasks and activities necessary to be able to achieve the core learning outcomes of a course. They are specific to a particular course or discipline. To assist students to make informed choices about their study, we have identified and set out the inherent requirements for this course.
The academic criteria that are displayed are applicable to currently available courses only, and are updated annually in October and may be changed without notice. The Handbooks Online and the University of Sydney Calendar are the official legal source of information relating to study at the University of Sydney, and you are referred to those documents.
The Master of Rehabilitation Counselling and the Graduate Diploma in Rehabilitation Counselling are accredited by the Rehabilitation Counselling Association of Australasia. (RCAA)
Following course completion, graduates are eligible to apply for membership of RCAA.
RCAA is a member of Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA). RCAA members are recognised by the Heads of Workers' Compensation Authority (HWCA); Australian state-based Workers' Compensation Authorities, the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) in New Zealand; and provision of services under Life Insurance, Comcare and Compulsory Third Party Insurance (CTP) schemes.
More information can be obtained from the Rehabilitation Counselling Association of Australasia.
Graduates attain professional status as a rehabilitation counsellor and are qualified to provide specialist counselling, rehabilitation, and case management services to people who have experienced injury, disability or social disadvantage.
Rehabilitation counsellors work:
Samridhi on a field trip in Nepal
Samridhi Rana Thapa
Disability Inclusion Advisor, International Committee of the Red Cross
"I'm currently based in Nepal and work for people with all types of disability (not just physical) and other vulnerable populations to promote their inclusion, through identification of support services, capacity building activities, proposal development, establishing partners and collaborators and creating evidence to enable formulation of stronger legislation and policies, among others." Read more.
Career timeline
Louise Bilato
Managing Director, IMconcepts, Injury Management Practice
“I have always seen the field of Rehabilitation Counselling as the most well rounded, and grounded, of the Allied Health disciplines. It encompassed elements of positive psychology and biopsychosocial models well before these terms became ‘on trend’ and having a combined focus on vocation, ability, mental health, community engagement and case management skills development blends most effectively with holistic health and well-being management."
Career timeline:
Indicative Postgraduate Student Contribution Amount
The student contribution amount for a Commonwealth Supported Place is an indication only of the amount payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). The exact student contribution that you pay will depend on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and the specific units of study in which you ultimately enrol. For further information about how to calculate your specific total student contribution, please refer to the University's Tuition Fees website.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, student contribution amounts are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study (subject to a Commonwealth specified cap), effective at the start of each calendar year.
Indicative Postgraduate Domestic Tuition Fee
The tuition fee for a domestic postgraduate student is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increase
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review by the University, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the student contribution and/or course fee. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protected clothing and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
Indicative International Tuition Fees for Postgraduate Students
The tuition fee for international postgraduate students is an indication only of the fees payable in Year 1 for a standard full time load of 48 credit points (1.0 EFTSL). Depending on the calendar year in which you undertake your study, and if your study load is more or less than the 1.0 EFTSL, your tuition fee will differ from the indicative amount.
Annual review and fee increases
Importantly, tuition fees are subject to annual review, and will increase each year of your period of study, effective at the start of each calendar year.
Additional incidental costs and health insurance
For some courses there are incidental costs additional to the tuition fees. Some of these incidental costs are significant, for example, course-specific materials, tools, protective clothing, and equipment. Further information about these costs is available from https://sydney.edu.au/students/materials-and-equipment.html. In addition to the fees indicated here for the course of study, International Students studying on an Australian Student Visa must have appropriate health insurance for the duration of their studies on a Student Visa through a government approved provider of the Overseas Student Health Cover (OSHC) scheme. This is a requirement of the Australian Government, unless otherwise exempted by the Government. Further information is available from https://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/living-costs/health-insurance.html.
Visa/MasterCard/American Express/JCB surcharge
Please note that a surcharge of 1.53% will apply for payments made by Visa, MasterCard, American Express or JCB. The surcharge is subject to review and may change. Information about payment methods and the surcharge is set out at: http://sydney.edu.au/study/finances-fees-costs/fees-and-loans/paying-your-fees.html.
Potential for inaccuracy
Whilst every reasonable effort has been made to include correct and up to date information here, you are also advised to consult directly with the Student Centre so that they can provide you with specific and up to date information about fees.
