COURSE CURRICULUM

Counselling psychology offers a comprehensive and structured curriculum that integrates theoretical knowledge, practical skills, and applied experience in the field of mental health. The program begins with foundational courses in psychology and counselling, including introduction to counselling psychology, ethical issues, fundamental and advanced counselling skills, and introductory psychology. Students also complete interdisciplinary and elective non-core courses to broaden their understanding of human behaviour in diverse social and cultural contexts. As the program progresses, students explore advanced topics such as personality theories, developmental psychology across the lifespan, psychodynamic and humanistic approaches, social psychology, and statistical analysis. Specialized courses in group counselling, brain and behaviour, learning and memory, psychometric assessment, and cognitive-behavioural approaches further deepen their clinical understanding and therapeutic competencies. Practical experience is a key component of the program, with two field placements in the fifth semester and a full-time counselling psychology internship in the seventh semester, providing real-world exposure to a variety of client populations and counselling environments. In the final year, students engage in trauma and crisis intervention, counselling as a profession, and advanced research and thesis work through a two-part applied thesis project. The curriculum also includes seminars on current issues in counselling psychology and allows students to choose elective core and non-core courses in upper years to tailor the program to their specific interests. In total, students complete 2,100 hours of learning, including both classroom instruction and clinical placements, which prepare them for careers in mental health services or graduate studies. The program emphasizes ethical, evidence-based practice, cultural sensitivity, and professional development, equipping students with the skills and knowledge necessary to support the mental health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities in a range of counselling settings.