Program Details
CityU in Canada, provides an approved Master of Counselling degree program in Victoria and Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. The program is approved by the Ministry of Advanced Education & Skills Training and designed to align with the requirements necessary to become a Registered Clinical Counsellor, R.C.C. or a Canadian Certified Counsellor, C.C.C.
Our Master of Counselling program provides a thorough grounding in counselling theory and describes collaborative, practice-based ways of engaging therapeutically. You’ll learn from a faculty of practitioner-scholars who well versed in both the academic and therapeutic fields.
Expect a comprehensive core of learning that covers the following topics:
- diversity and cultural psychology
- ethics and law
- grief, loss, trauma and addictions
- human development and family systems
- psychopathology and psychopharmacology
- research, testing and assessment
Effective In-Class and Online Learning
The CityU in Canada BC program offers you four different ways to complete your master’s in counselling program.
The Master of Counselling Degree program in BC utilizes a cohort based learning structure. This means that you complete all of your courses with the same group of learners, providing both a built-in support group through your course of study, but also an opportunity to create a strong connection with future professionals in the counselling field. The program takes approximately three years to complete, but this can vary depending on your internship and the decisions you make about your capstone process. You have a maximum of seven years to complete the program requirements.
Delivery Modes
Mixed Mode
Students enrolled in the mixed-mode (online+intensives) combine online learning with quarterly four day in-class residencies at the City U Downtown Vancouver, BC- Site. Students enrolled at the Victoria (Langford), BC Vancouver Island program have two 3-day in-class residencies each quarter except Summer, where there is a single four-day residency. The program course sequence aligns with the in-class (Saturdays) program (available in Vancouver and Victoria)
Saturdays
Students enrolled in the “Saturday (In-class)” meet every week on Saturdays. Students typically take two courses per quarter attending classes on Saturdays only from 8:00 am to 5:00 pm.
Note: Summer quarters are exceptionally condensed over four full weekends (Saturdays and Sundays from 8:00 – 5:00) for Vancouver and over 4 days Thursday, Friday, Saturday and, Sunday of one weekend in July for Victoria. All programs commence October (or late September) if fall holidays prevent sufficient class time scheduling).
The program course sequence aligns with the mixed-mode (online+intensives) program.
Available in Vancouver and Victoria.
Full Time
The full-time Master of Counselling program offers courses on weekdays.
Student enrolled in the “Fulltime” format attend classes in Downtown Vancouver. In this fast track program learners typically take four courses per quarter attending classes two week days per week from 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. A reading break is scheduled during each quarter, except in the summer.
This modality is not available in Victoria.
Where CityU Can Take You
Your master’s degree in counselling from CityU prepares you to work as a therapist in a variety of settings including mental health clinics, private practices, social service agencies, not-for-profit community organizations, residential treatment programs and provincial health authority ministries.
Prerequisites
Admission to the Master of Counselling degree program in British Columbia requires the successful completion of a 4 year undergraduate degree from a recognized post-secondary institution. Candidates for the Master of Counselling program must have completed undergraduate coursework showing the fundamental knowledge in each of the areas of Learning, Cognition, Personality and Human Development. These fundamentals may be covered in any combination/number of courses. For example, if you took one course that included the topic of Learning and Cognition and one course that included the topics of Personality and Human Development, you have probably met this requirement with these two courses. Additionally, in the instance an applicant has no related counselling experience, a minimum of 50 hours of volunteer or paid work experience in a position related to counselling is required.
Click here for more information about Prerequisites
Ready to Apply?
Reach out to Marien Farber, our Enrollment Advisor, to learn about starting your career as a therapist or counsellor in British Columbia, Canada. BCInquiries@CityU.edu or 778-588-5007 (toll-free: 1-800-663-7466).
Apply now!
Are you an International Student?
City University in Canada offers two inspiring and challenging programs for international students plan students interested in pursuing their post-secondary education in Canada. Check out the current programs accepting international students in Vancouver, BC only.