Is the master's in Counselling program for me?

If you already have a bachelor's degree and want to register with the British Columbia Association of Clinical Counsellors (BCACC) as a counsellor or therapist, this program is a great fit. We offer a variety of schedule options to fit your life including: a full-time program that lets you finish in just seven quarters, a mixed mode option that combines classroom and online learning for maximum flexibility, or a more work-friendly Saturdays-only schedule.

What will I learn in the master's in Counselling program?

Your courses will cover fundamental counselling skills with a focus on these topics:

• Diversity and cultural psychology
• Ethics and law
• Grief and loss
• Family systems
• Research
• Human development
• Psychopathology and psychopharmacology
• Testing and assessment
• Psychotherapy theory
• Group counselling
• Psychological trauma
• Addictions

In your advanced courses, you'll apply your knowledge to couples counselling, thesis research, the psychology of aging, working with youth, and practicum experience. Through an internship, you'll gain practical experience in your area of interest while you network with other professionals in the local mental health and social service systems.

What can I do with my master's degree in Counselling?

With your master's degree in Counselling, you'll be prepared for professional registration and ready to work as a counsellor or therapist in community agencies, private practice, colleges and universities, health care facilities, government departments, and employee assistance programs.

Why CityU?

• Because you want an education that's relevant to what's happening in the real world, right now.
• CityU hosts the largest graduate counselling program in British Columbia.
• Our faculty teach what they do for a living, not just what's in the book. They're smart, successful people who can help you get there, too.
• You'll go through the program with the same group of students. We call it cohort learning. It's like a built-in support group.
• You can get an education without sacrificing your lifestyle.

How to get started:

Do you have at least a bachelor's degree? If so, you're eligible to apply. Here's how:

1. Chat with an admissions advisor or call 604.689.2489
2. Complete the Canadian M.C. admissions packet
3. Apply now
4. Order your official transcripts from other schools you attended
5. Complete an interview with the program director

*Note: Combine online learning with quarterly seminars held in Vancouver, BC.
**Winter start is for the NEW two year, daytime program.

Total Required Credits:		72
Core Courses:		50
CPC 501	Introduction To Counselling Psychology Practice	5
This course provides an introduction to the fundamental skills needed to facilitate therapeutic change. Topics include interviewing skills, establishing a therapeutic alliance, and professional documentation. Students will be able to conduct a client interview using the foundational practices of the field.
CPC 502	Systemic Theory: Diversity and Cultural Psychology	3
This course is an introduction to the theory, ethics and practice of diversity counselling. Students will examine the sociopolitical nature of counselling, the impact of counsellor and systemic bias, the multiple dimensions of identity, and the goals of diversity counselling competence. The course develops competencies through the students personal and professional exploration of value and belief systems, factors of power and oppression, racial/cultural/gender/ sexual orientation identity formation, and ethical practice.
CPC 526	Counselling Psychology Theory	5
This course provides an orientation on how to approach and use theory in the practice of counselling psychology, reviews a number of current issues in counselling and psychotherapy, and introduces students to both classical and contemporary models of counselling and psychotherapy. Once students acquire these competencies, they will be able to form an initial, critically informed personal theory of counselling. Course delivery will be via lecture, demonstration (live and videotape), in-class skill practice, and feedback.
CPC 513	Brief Therapy Models	3
This course provides an overview of the common factors inherent in all effective psychotherapy, and provides skill development in how to plan treatment that is time-sensitive, pragmatic, and outcome-focused.
CPC 510	Professional Ethics and Law	3
The professional practice of psychology and counselling centres on thinking, questioning, and decision-making. This course provides a comprehensive investigation of ethical, practice and legal codes and issues as they relate to the development of a professional identity. Areas of focus include multicultural issues, responsibilities and liabilities, confidentiality and its limits, duty to warn, and dual relationships. A differentiation will be made between the regulatory process that protects the public interest and the collegial association process that promotes self-interest and the profession.
CPC 511	Psychology of Loss and Grief	3
The Psychology of Loss and Grief course presents the holistic experience of loss, the varied presentations of the resulting grief and models of understanding and working with bereavement. Students will acquire knowledge, clinical skills and personal understanding of working with people who have experienced a loss, from the perspective of the individual, as well as the macrocosm of the family, culture, religion, etc. Prerequisites: Admission to the Master of Counselling program.
CPC 512	Family Systems Therapy	5
This course introduces systemic thinking and a variety of Family Therapy theories and interventions. Students explore the history of Family Therapy, the Feminist Critique, Post-Modern Theories, Neurobiological Research, and the new evidence based models of Family Therapy.
CPC 529	Psychology of Addictions	3
Using multiple perspectives, the phenomenon of addiction is examined in this course. Current theories and therapeutic practices are explored. This course covers three main areas. First, students will develop an understanding of the multiple theories, models, perspectives, and metaphors pertinent to an understanding of substance use, misuse, and abuse. Second, students will become aware of how to effectively integrate theory and practice to produce clinically and socially relevant assessments, with particular attention to identifying the intensity and severity of substance misuse practices. Third, students will develop a repertoire of clinical skills particularly focused on ways to collaborate with clients in the co-creation of efficient and effective treatments. At the discretion of your instructor, a portion of class time may consist of small group discussions centered on the 'Questions for Dialogue'. These questions highlight areas of controversy and clinical discretion that challenge practitioners in the area of addictions, and examples are provided below. The quality of your participation and learning in these discussions will depend, in part, on being prepared by your advanced reading as per the course schedule.
CPC 522	Psychology of Trauma and Interpersonal Violence	3
Students will analyze social and psychological dimensions of power in interpersonal relationships. From this theoretical base, students will develop therapeutic competency to engage with victims and perpetrators of violence in a process of change. Theoretical understanding and clinical competencies will include attention to social context, ethics, and legal implications.
CPC 527	Group Counselling Psychology	3
This course provides an experiential group counselling laboratory in which students learn group process theory and skills by participating as both members and as leaders. Students will explore the application of various group approaches to specific client populations and clinical settings.
CPC 523	Psychology of Sexuality and Human Development	3
Developmental psychology describes emotional, cognitive, behavioral, relational, social, and cultural change as a function of age and the passage of time. Important aspects of psychological potential and psychological distress can be understood in the context of individual, family, community, and cultural development. This course reviews the dominant theories that have structured the psychology of human development. It enlarges the focus of inquiry to include class, culture, gender, age and sexuality. Students will explore how a developmental perspective informs clinical practice.
CPC 524	Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology	5
This course is an investigation of psychopathology from a therapeutic perspective based upon observable patterns of behaviour. Students develop skills in diagnostic assessment and case conceptualization. Emphasis will be on diagnosis of syndromes, with introductions to etiology, treatment, and prognosis.
CPC 514	Research Methods and Statistics	3
This course, covering research in the social sciences, provides the context for the development of the ability to critically review, as an informed counselling practitioner, scientific research in the mental health fields. This course also serves as a foundation for CP 603, Research Project/Thesis. The process of developing a thesis, dissertation, grant or project proposal will begin in this course and will be further developed prior to entry in CP 603.
CPC 525	Testing and Assessment	3
This course presents a survey of assessment techniques and instruments for personality, intelligence, achievement, interest, and aptitude. Students learn to incorporate test results into written reports, conduct mental status examinations, perform assessment interviews, and write detailed case conceptualization reports integrating quantitative and qualitative assessments. Prerequisites: CPC 514 Statistics and Research or equivalent or substantial experience and facility with quantitative analysis.
CPC 550	Comprehensive Exam	0
Please check back soon for the full description of this course.
Additional Required Courses:		16
CPC 600	Child and Adolescent Counselling	3
An intense exploration of approaches to working with children and adolescents in therapy, this course emphasizes methods of integrating and applying systemic, developmental, and individual theories. Topics include: behavior problems, violence, drug and alcohol problems, school problems, suicide assessment, and family issues.
CPC 603	Research Project/Thesis	4
This course is the culmination of your learning in the Counselling Psychology Program. You will complete a major scholarly investigation of an approved theme, research funding, or research topic OR an applied project relevant to a current topic in the counselling field.
CPC 604	Psychology of Aging	3
In a time of changing demographics and longer lifespan, the skills and knowledge required for responding to elders is crucial to well-rounded clinical practice. This course looks at trends and demographics, covers development late in the lifespan in detail, examines the mental health issues associated with aging, provides guidelines and critique in the ethics of elder care, as well as emphasizing the unique set of clinical skills needed for service to the elderly. Prerequisite: MACP Program.
CPC 606	Couples Counselling	3
This course exposes students to the dynamics of couple relationships, potential issues, treatment approaches, and counselling techniques.
CPC 610	Introduction to Clinical Supervision	3
This course is a foundational introduction to the theory and practice of clinical supervision. Focus will be given to cultivating a working knowledge of a diversity of supervisory theories, their pragmatic clinical applications and skilled service delivery, understanding and analysis of the ethical and legal dimensions of supervisory practice, and supervisory professional and personal dynamics. The format of the course will include in-class discussions, readings, group work and role play, self-reflective practice, written assignments, and a class presentation.
Internship/Practica:		6
CPC 651	Practicum I	2
The Practicum courses provide clinical experience and professional supervision beyond the student's internship setting. Students will have the opportunity to participate in group supervision, discuss internship issues, journal their client contact therapy work, and conduct professional clinical case presentations. Prerequisite: Successful Completion of Comprehensive Exams.
CPC 652	Practicum II	2
Please check back soon for the full description of this course.
CPC 653	Practicum III	2
Please check back soon for the full description of this course.
CPC 633	Internship *	0
Students will arrange clinical internships at local agencies or other approved settings, and deliver counselling services under the supervision of the internship site and the City U Internship Coordinator. This course serves as a vehicle for documentation of internship hours, intern evaluations, and supervisory evaluations. This course is repeated until all 250 required client contact hours and 50 site supervision hours are completed.
Elective Courses:		1-5
CPC 599	Graduate Seminar-Independent Study (Special topics in counselling psychology will be explored in seminar, workshop or independent study formats.)	1-5
Please check back soon for the full description of this course.