Home Higher Degrees Masters by Coursework Master of Arts (Counselling and Guidance)
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Master of Arts (Counselling and Guidance)

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  • Counselling and guidance are evolving to meet the needs of individuals in schools and communities to improve their understanding, adjustment, and daily functioning across the lifespan. The roles of counsellors are notably complex and multifaceted. The challenges and demands in the quality of the counselling and guidance services offered in the educational and community settings are also increasing. Hence, counsellors need to be reflective about their own practices and ways to enhance their competencies in these areas.

    The Master of Arts (Counselling and Guidance) programme is fully certified by the Singapore Association for Counselling as a training programme for Registered Counsellors. Upon completing the programme, students are expected to be competent in various areas including major counselling theories, evidence-based practices, case documentation, ethical and legal issues, and research and programme evaluation skills in counselling. Students are trained to adopt an integrated approach to counselling, which draws on knowledge from various counselling theories, developmental psychology, abnormal psychology, and multicultural therapeutic perspectives.

    The programme emphasises a developmental perspective, focusing on issues pertinent to providing counselling and guidance services and programme development. The counsellors' personal and professional growth and development; appreciation of diversity and demonstration of understanding ethical and legal issues are also emphasised. The practicum allows application of theories and techniques leading to effective individual and group counselling.

    This rigorous, informative and structured training programme is a course-work oriented professional degree that is designed to prepare new entrants into the fields of counselling and guidance as highly competent and caring counsellors. It is also designed to enhance and upgrade the knowledge and skills of counsellors at a master's level and to prepare those who may wish to pursue a doctoral education later.

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  • You must have a Bachelor's degree from a regionally recognised university preferably with Honours or equivalent in a relevant discipline.

    Only applicants who have the suitable personal attributes and aptitude for the counselling profession with potential to contribute to the community will be considered. Preference will be given to those who have the relevant counselling work experience or majored in related fields such as education, psychology and social work. Completed application forms will be reviewed and shortlisted applicants will be required to attend an admission interview with the faculty panel.

    For international applicants, more information on the entry requirements can be found here.

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  • The MACG programme is a professional degree that comprises 42 Academic Units (AUs). Students may opt to complete the programme under the Practice Track or Practice-Research Track. The Practice Track consists of 12 courses of 3 AUs each (including 10 core courses and 2 elective courses) and clinical placements (2 blocks of practicum of 3 AUs each). Students who wish to strengthen their skills and knowledge in research may opt to do a Research Project elective (3 AUs) in place of a general elective, subject to approval. The core areas have been identified as essential competency areas for counsellors by the Council for the Accreditation of Counselling and other Related Educational Programmes (CACREP) in USA, and the Singapore Association for Counselling. For clinical placements, a total of 400 hours (100 hours of face to face counselling and 100 hours of associated activities for each practicum) is required.

    The core areas have been identified as the essential competency areas for counsellors by the Council for the Accreditation of Counselling and other Related Educational Programmes (CACREP) in USA, and the Singapore Association for Counselling. For clinical instruction, a total of 400 hours (100 hours of face to face counselling and 100 hours of associated activities for each practicum) is required.

    MACG-flowchart

    Courses and Study Plan
    Click here for more information.

    Download the course descriptions for the programme

    Important note for matriculated students:
    Please refer to the ISAAC system for the programme structure relevant to your intake during Course Registration or consult your programme leader if you need clarifications.

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  • The Master of Arts (Counselling and Guidance) is offered on both full-time and part-time basis.

    The candidature periods are as follows:

    Full-time

    Minimum

    1.5 years

    Maximum

    2 years

    Part-time

    Minimum

    3 years

    Maximum

    4 years

  • Our tuition fees are subject to revision on a yearly basis. More details can be found here.

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  • There is generally only one intake for this programme, in August. You are advised to visit the website and look out for NIE’s announcements in November/December to confirm if the programme will be open for application at any particular intake.

    Applicants who are currently working with sponsors, donors or financial institutions to fund their studies, are encouraged to submit their applications early to NIE so as not to miss out on our application period.

    Applications are to be made online.

    More information on required documents for application can be found here.

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  • For more information, please click here.

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  • To view, please click here.

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    Developing your passion into mastery with NIE




    Sharing Session at NIE Postgraduate Fair 2016

    Information about Master of Arts (Counselling & Guidance)



    For more videos taken at NIE Postgraduate Fair 2016, please click here.

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  • "Going through the programme has enhanced my work as a radiation therapist at the National Cancer Centre. It increased my awareness of the possible distress and psychological issues that the cancer patients might be experiencing, and helped me to become more sensitive and competent in dealing with the different emotional conditions of the patients. In addition, my counselling training has equipped me with better skills and strategies to support patients whom struggled with special radiation therapy related difficulties, such as claustrophobia when being immobilised under a mask for treatment."

    Ms Poon Kee Lee
    Master of Arts (Counselling and Guidance) graduate
    - Getting to Know Series, 2017
      (click to read more)

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