Course overview
- Study period
- Semester 1, 2025 (24/02/2025 - 22/11/2025)
- Study level
- Postgraduate Coursework
- Location
- St Lucia
- Attendance mode
- In Person
- Units
- 4
- Administrative campus
- St Lucia
- Coordinating unit
- Nursing, Midwifery & Social Wk
Students will gain extended supervised practice experience in a professional counselling setting. In this practicum, students will have the opportunity to apply counselling theory, knowledge and skills to work with clients. Students are also introduced to the pragmatics of professional practice, including the reality of practicing within the reality of a professional service environment. Students are guided to explore their emerging professional identity and practice framework through supervision, reflective practice, and integration of their emerging experiences with theory and research.
The field placement in Counselling is designed to provide students with “hands-on” experience in working with people who are facing a range of difficulties and personal issues. You will be offered direct exposure to the practice of professionals in day to day counselling work and opportunities to extend your knowledge and understanding of counselling and research within an agency offering counselling and other social and emotional therapeutic support to clients. It is expected that you will take this opportunity to develop a professional counselling identity in the workplace by working collaboratively with your colleagues in the agency and learning as much as you can from more experienced professionals.
The opportunity to work with people who are being offered professional therapeutic help enables you to begin to proactively link your current counselling practice more pertinently to theory. Where you find your knowledge, understanding, or skills lacking, you will have the opportunity to seek advice, toﾠresearch and read appropriately to become a more fully functioning reflective practitioner. Making best use of regular professional supervision will help you to build a strong theoretical base and will include opportunities for your own personal development. The formation, development and refinement of a personal framework for practice, and the integration of this with theory and research will be the focus of your studies during this experience.
Field placement is an integral part of meeting the membership requirements of accrediting professional bodies (PACFA and ACA) and therefore placement are required to meet these associations' training standards.ﾠ
Course requirements
Assumed background
Students must have successfully completed all pre-requisite courses and be in their final year of study of the Master of Counselling program.
Due to the unique demands of undertaking safe counselling practice with a vulnerable population, it is imperative that we ensure student counsellors have an acceptable level of current competency prior to commencing work with clients. The Master of Counselling program uses the assessment process of the Core Competency Interviews to assess this competence. This practical assessment item involves the students undertaking an observed and assessed live interview/counselling session with a “client”. Students who have not completed a Competency Interview in the six months immediately prior to starting placement will be required to complete this hurdle requirement before beginning placement (see Section 5: Assessment, for more details).
Prerequisites
You'll need to complete the following courses before enrolling in this one:
COUN7002, COUN7005, COUN7006, COUN7012, COUN7014, COUN7016, SWSP7267
Incompatible
You can't enrol in this course if you've already completed the following:
COUN7020
Course contact
Course staff
Lecturer
Field coordinator
Ms Naomi Hansar
Timetable
The timetable for this course is available on the UQ Public Timetable.
Additional timetable information
COUN7021ﾠis a 4-unitﾠcourse that students must complete across a year that must start in Semester 1 of a year and end at the conclusion of Semester 2 of that same year. Students enrol in the course in Semester 1 and in Semester 2 (2 units per semester).
Students will typically attend the placement agency/agencies for a minimum of fifty-two (52) full days in total during the this year long placement course COUN7021, accruing a minimum of 364 hours of placement experience.ﾠAttendance is usually 2 full days (minimum of 7 hours) a week for 13 weeks each semester.ﾠ
Students need to complete a minimum of 182 hours of attendance in each semester time period. Additional attendance hours accumulated in Semester 1 cannot be accrued and counted towards the required hours for Semester 2. It is the students' responsibility to ensure a log book of hours is kept and signed off by the practicum supervisor. The course is not offered in summer semester.
In addition to the Pre-Placement workshop and Field Placement hours, the course has a number of learning activities to support the integration of professional learning of students on placement. Students should refer to the Learning Activities section for further information.
Aims and outcomes
Students will gain extended supervised practice experience in a professional counselling setting. In this practicum, students will have the opportunity to apply counselling theory, knowledge and skills to work with clients. Students are also introduced to the pragmatics of professional practice, including the reality of practicing within the reality of a professional service environment. Students are guided to explore their emerging professional identity and practice framework through supervision, reflective practice, and integration of their emerging experiences with theory and research.ﾠ
Learning outcomes
After successfully completing this course you should be able to:
LO1.
Competently apply counselling knowledge, skills and interventions in real-life settings
LO2.
Be familiar with the organisation, daily functioning, demands and ethical concerns of counselling practice
LO3.
Understand the relevance and importance of supervision within counselling practice
LO4.
Be competent in counselling assessment, intervention and evaluation of clients within a particular placement setting
LO5.
Engage in reflective practice and deliberate practice to improve personal and professional development
Assessment
Assessment summary
| Category | Assessment task | Weight | Due date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Notebook/ Logbook, Placement, Reflection |
Learning Journal
|
Ongoing | |
| Role play/ Simulation | Pre-placement Counselling Competency Hurdle | Hurdle Requirement |
17/02/2025 - 17/02/2025
Completed before starting client work on placement. |
| Placement |
Student Declaration
|
Formative |
Student declarations are due on the commencement of placement. |
| Placement |
Supervision Contract
|
Formative |
24/02/2025 - 3/03/2025
Within the first two weeks of placement |
| Placement, Practical/ Demonstration |
Core Skills Competency
|
Formative |
24/02/2025 - 31/03/2025
Within the first six weeks of placement |
| Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Placement |
Formative Supervisor Evaluation of Practice
|
Formative |
26/05/2025 - 16/06/2025 |
| Placement, Portfolio |
Placement Portfolio
|
100% Pass/Fail |
31/10/2025 1:00 pm |
Assessment details
Learning Journal
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Notebook/ Logbook, Placement, Reflection
- Weight
- Ongoing
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L05
Task description
You are required to keep a learning journal which will not be assessed, but will serve as an aid to your own personal process in learning on the course. Guidance notes are provided in Appendix 9 of the Placement Manual.
For you to become a reflective practitioner who can integrate knowledge and evidence-based practice, practice-based knowledge and understanding is a central objective of the placement courses. Use your learning journal to explore ideas and to reflect on your experiences. Seek out research papers and books to build your knowledge of counselling theory, skills and counselling issues. Include other pertinent literature such as, how to make the best use of supervision, or link your learning on practice to recommended reading from other current or previous courses you may be studying, on matters such as, mental health, health capacity challenges, loss, ethics, children and young people, relationship counselling, crisis and violence. It is good practice to inform yourself about issues relevant to your clients’ well-being and your possible interventions to improve or maintain it. All practicing counsellors need to keep informed of relevant and current literature and ideas relating to counselling practice. The Journal offers you a framework to develop the capacity to remain current.
Please note: the Learning Journal will not be read by anyone else but yourself. It will be sighted at three points during the placement - at the placement visit (six weeks into placement), the formative evaluation of practice (end of Semester 1), and the summative evaluation of practice (end of Semester 2). Again, at these points, you supervisor will just need to sight that you have been completing the journal, but will not read the content.
Submission guidelines
This assessment task is not required to be submitted, but will be briefly viewed by the field placement officer at the site visit, and by your supervisor at the Formative and Summative evaluations.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Non-submittable item
Pre-placement Counselling Competency Hurdle
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Role play/ Simulation
- Weight
- Hurdle Requirement
- Due date
17/02/2025 - 17/02/2025
Completed before starting client work on placement.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Due to the professional demands of undertaking safe counselling practice with a vulnerable population, it is imperative that we ensure student counsellors have an acceptable level of current competency prior to commencing work with clients. The Master of Counselling program uses the assessment process of the Core Competency Interviews to assess this competence. This practical assessment item involves the students undertaking an observed and assessed live interview/counselling session with a “client”. This reflective process will determine whether a student has sufficient counselling skills and ability to commence client work in the practicum (COUN7021).
For students who have successful passed their competency interview in COUN7006 in the semester prior to commencing placement (i.e. Semester 2, 2024), this will be deemed as evidence of current competency.
For students who have not completed COUN7006 in the semester prior to placement need to have university staff ensure that they have current competence on starting placement. This will follow the format of the Core Competency Interview:
- You will be expected to undertake a 30-40 minute counselling session/interview with an informed volunteer as your client. The volunteer clients will be organised for you so that you do not need to find your own clients.
- You are to approach the session as the initial interview with the client.
- The interview will be being viewed by at least two MCouns academic and/or professional staff who will act as a reflective team for you and who will complete your assessment
The feedback from this assessment item should be taken as a reflection of your current learning needs as a counselling professional, and therefore will frame your learning agenda as you enter placement.
Submission guidelines
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Student Declaration
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Placement
- Weight
- Formative
- Due date
Student declarations are due on the commencement of placement.
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
Task description
On the commencement of placement, students are required to complete and sign the Student Declaration (Appendix 2 of the 2023 Placement Manual). This declaration enables you to formally enter into an agreement with the placement agency, and therefore also requires your supervisor's signature.
Completed Student Declarations are then sent to the Field Coordinator (Naomi Hansar) who will organise the signature of the university representative (Program Lead).
Submission guidelines
Completed Student Declarations are to be sent to the Placement Coordinator (Naomi Hansar) who will organise the signature of the university representative (Program Lead)
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please contact course coordinator directly if you are unable to submit within the specified timeframe. All assessment must be submitted in order to pass the course.
Supervision Contract
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Placement
- Weight
- Formative
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 3/03/2025
Within the first two weeks of placement
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
Task description
Within the first two weeks of placement, before working with clients, complete your Supervision Contract (Appendix 5 of the Field Education Manual) in collaboration with your supervisor. Use the Learning Agreement discussion points (Appendix 4 of the Manual) to facilitate agreement on key objectives, responsibilities, and expectations. Once there is agreement between both parties as to its content, it is to be signed by both the student and the supervisor.
A editable version of this document is available on Blackboard to enable parties to type the contract content.
Submission guidelines
Completed Learning Contracts are first to be sent to Course Coordinator (Jim Schirmer) for signature. Once this is complete, these can then be uploaded onto Blackboard.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please contact course coordinator directly if you are unable to submit within the specified timeframe. All assessment must be submitted in order to pass the course.
Core Skills Competency
- Mode
- Activity/ Performance
- Category
- Placement, Practical/ Demonstration
- Weight
- Formative
- Due date
24/02/2025 - 31/03/2025
Within the first six weeks of placement
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
- Learning outcomes
- L01, L03, L04, L05
Task description
Throughout the Master of Counselling Placement experience there are a number of core counselling skills that a student is expected to further develop and demonstrate during an individual counselling session. A list of these competencies is provided in the Field Education Manual and a Word version is on Blackboard (Appendix 7). Your supervisor will indicate the degree to which it is considered that you are competent in these areas. This formative checklist may help your supervisor to plan your work and provide more information for the agency evaluation of your practice.
Ensure your supervisor has observed at least one session of you as a counsellor and has completed the Core Skills Competency Checklist. Submit an electronic copy to the Blackboard site within the first 6 weeks of placement.
Submission guidelines
All courses require students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. A link will be made available in the assessment area of your Blackboard course to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please contact course coordinator directly if you are unable to submit within the specified timeframe. All assessment must be submitted in order to pass the course.
Formative Supervisor Evaluation of Practice
- Mode
- Written
- Category
- Paper/ Report/ Annotation, Placement
- Weight
- Formative
- Due date
26/05/2025 - 16/06/2025
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
Task description
Toward the end of your first semester of placement (COUN7021) jointly complete the Formative Supervisor Evaluation of Student Practice form (see Appendix 8 of the Field Education Manual) with your supervisor. Note that this is a formative evaluation and does not require your supervisor to recommend a pass/fail. However, as a formative process it is invaluable in giving you feedback on your progress, and also as an opportunity to make plans for learning and development in the second half of placement. Furthermore, the Formative Evaluation covers the same content as your final Summative (Pass/Fail) Evaluation of Practice, and therefore the feedback at this point will enable you to see how close you are to the standards required to pass the course.
Submission guidelines
All courses require students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. A link will be made available in the assessment area of your Blackboard course to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.
Deferral or extension
You cannot defer or apply for an extension for this assessment.
Please contact course coordinator directly if you are unable to submit within the specified timeframe. All assessment must be submitted in order to pass the course.
Placement Portfolio
- Mode
- Product/ Artefact/ Multimedia
- Category
- Placement, Portfolio
- Weight
- 100% Pass/Fail
- Due date
31/10/2025 1:00 pm
- Other conditions
- Work integrated learning.
Task description
The practicum report consists of a portfolio of work including the
- Summative Supervisor Evaluation of Student Practice Form (see Appendix 10A of the Field Education Manual),
- Student Evaluation of Agency Form (Appendix 10B) and
- Completed Log of Hours and placement activities (Appendix 10C).
Word versions of these documents are available on Blackboard
Submission guidelines
All courses require students to submit an electronic version of their assignment via Blackboard. Please check the companion website assessment area for specific instructions on this process. A link will be made available in the assessment area of your Blackboard course to allow you to submit your assignment electronically.
Deferral or extension
You may be able to apply for an extension.
The maximum extension allowed is 7 days. Extensions are given in multiples of 24 hours.
Course grading
Full criteria for each grade is available in the Assessment Procedure.
| Pass/Fails | Description |
|---|---|
| P |
Course grade description: Demonstrated evidence of competency in meeting course learning objectives. |
| F |
Course grade description: Insufficient evidence of competency in meeting course learning objectives. |
Supplementary assessment
Supplementary assessment is not available for this course.
Learning resources
You'll need the following resources to successfully complete the course. We've indicated below if you need a personal copy of the reading materials or your own item.
Library resources
Find the required and recommended resources for this course on the UQ Library website.
Learning activities
The learning activities for this course are outlined below. Learn more about the learning outcomes that apply to this course.
Filter activity type by
Please select
| Learning period | Activity type | Topic |
|---|---|---|
Week 1 (24 Feb - 02 Mar) |
Lecture |
Professional Practice Masterclass I: Counsellor Development Course orientation Understanding counsellor development & practices to enhance development |
Multiple weeks From Week 2 To Week 4 |
Tutorial |
Practice Integration Groups Topics: Hopes, concerns and goals for the year; Developing a personalised learning plan Students attend one group session between Weeks 2-4. Sign-up will be on Blackboard. |
Week 5 (24 Mar - 30 Mar) |
Lecture |
Professional Practice Masterclass II: The Art of Reflective Practice The art and science of reflective practice Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 6 To Week 8 |
Tutorial |
Practice Integration Groups Topics: Experimenting and reflecting on various reflective practice and self-practice activities Students attend one group session between Weeks 6-8. Sign-up will be on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L03, L05 |
Week 9 (28 Apr - 04 May) |
Lecture |
Professional Practice Masterclass III: From Theory to Practice Putting theory into practice Developing a Person Practice Framework Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 10 To Week 12 |
Tutorial |
Practice Integration Groups Topics: Developing a Personal Practice Framework Students attend one group session between Weeks 10-12. Sign-up will be on Blackboard. Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 13 (26 May - 01 Jun) |
Lecture |
Professional Practice and Identity Masterclass IV: Theory to Practice Advanced Case Formulation From Formulation to Intervention Being intentional in intervention Learning outcomes: L01, L04, L05 |
Week 14 (28 Jul - 03 Aug) |
Lecture |
Professional Practice Masterclass V: Introduction to Case Presentations Case Presentations & Discussions Integrating Interventions [Week 1 - Exact date and time will be released with Sem II Timetable] Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L04, L05 |
Multiple weeks From Week 15 To Week 17 |
Tutorial |
Practice Integration Groups Case Presentations I [Week 2-4 - Exact date and time will be released with Sem II Timetable] Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 18 (25 Aug - 31 Aug) |
Lecture |
Professional Practice Masterclass VI: Surviving and Thriving in Practice Beyond the Basics of Self-Care [Week 5 - Exact date and time will be released with Sem II Timetable] |
Multiple weeks From Week 19 To Week 21 |
Tutorial |
Practice Integration Groups Case Presentations II [Weeks 6-8 - Exact date and time will be released with Sem II Timetable] Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 22 (22 Sep - 28 Sep) |
Lecture |
Professional Practice and Identity Masterclass VII: Establishing Career in Counselling Guest Presentation: Working as a counsellor in Australia Finding work as a counsellor [Week 9 - Exact date and time will be released with Sem II Timetable] |
Multiple weeks From Week 23 To Week 25 |
Tutorial |
Practice Integration Groups Case Presentations III [Weeks 10-12 - Exact date and time will be released with Sem II Timetable] Learning outcomes: L01, L03, L05 |
Week 26 (27 Oct - 02 Nov) |
Lecture |
Professional Practice &Identity Masterclass VIII: Reflecting on the Journey Brining it all together: reflecting on the journey End of year reflection [Week 13 - Exact date and time will be released with Sem II Timetable] |
Policies and procedures
University policies and procedures apply to all aspects of student life. As a UQ student, you must comply with University-wide and program-specific requirements, including the:
- Student Code of Conduct Policy
- Student Integrity and Misconduct Policy and Procedure
- Assessment Procedure
- Examinations Procedure
- Reasonable Adjustments - Students Policy and Procedure
Learn more about UQ policies on my.UQ and the Policy and Procedure Library.
You'll also need to be aware of the following policies and procedures while completing this course: