COURSE CURRICULUM

The Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology at the University of Victoria offers both course-based and thesis-based pathways designed to prepare students for professional counselling practice. The program provides a strong foundation in counselling theory, ethics, and applied clinical skills while emphasizing diversity, cultural competence, and evidence-based practice. In the course-based option, students complete a minimum of 22.5 units of coursework along with a comprehensive examination. Core courses include Ethics and Legal Issues in Counselling (CNPY506), Group Counselling (CNPY508), Diversity, Culture, and Counselling (CNPY510), Research Methods and Program Evaluation (CNPY512), Assessment in Counselling (CNPY514), Career Development Across the Lifespan (CNPY516), Advanced Counselling Theories (CNPY518), Skills and Practice for Counselling (CNPY522), and an Internship in Counselling (CNPY523). Students also complete electives chosen in consultation with a graduate adviser. In the thesis-based option, students complete a minimum of 27 units, including all core courses, an internship, and a research thesis with oral defense (CNPY599), along with a required statistics course (ED-D 560). Additional electives may be required depending on research methodology. Both pathways typically take about two years of full-time study to complete. Overall, the program prepares graduates for professional counselling roles in mental health, community agencies, and related fields through a combination of academic learning, practical training, and supervised clinical experience.