Counselling Psychology MEd, MA

The Counselling Psychology MEd and MA programs are highly sequenced, with almost all courses offered only once per year.  The program structure and sequence is guided by two key principles:

1.     Effective counselling practice is guided by coherent theoretical frameworks, a working knowledge of assessment procedures, and a keen awareness of ethical principles and issues. 

2.     Counselling skills and strategies are best learned through a series of structured experiences that allow students to refine their skills while becoming increasingly independent and confident in their clinical skills and judgment.  

In the first year of the program, students begin the practical component of their training by taking a course (EDUC 874) in which they learn and practice advanced counselling skills with peers while receiving detailed feedback from program faculty.  Students also take courses in which they develop in-depth understandings of theories of counselling and become familiar with assessment procedures.  Students usually take a course in ethics, as well, and may also take other required or elective courses.

*MA students are required to complete a research methods/design course chosen in collaboration with their thesis supervisor. This course is ususally completed during Year 1 or early in Year 2 to facilitate work on the thesis.

In the second year of the program, students usually complete EDUC 799 and EDUC 800 (Supervised Counselling Clinics I and II), in which they participate in their first supervised clinical experience.  The Supervised Clinic courses take place at the SFU Surrey Counselling Centre, which is housed in a secondary school in Surrey.  While at the Centre, students see a small number of clients under very close supervision.  Supervisors are able to watch students conduct counselling sessions, join students in their sessions with clients, and review recordings of students’ counselling sessions.  In addition to the Supervised Clinic courses, students also complete other required or elective courses during the second year. 

* Scheduled as demand requires

In the third year of the program, all MA and MEd students complete their culminating supervised clinical experience: 2 terms of practicum (EDUC 801 and 802, September through April).  During the practicum terms, students are placed in a community-based social service agency, a public school, or a university or college counselling centre where they see clients under the supervision of an on-site supervisor.  The on-site supervisor is a fully qualified counsellor who works at the practicum site.  Supervision during the practicum is based on supervisors and students reviewing recordings of the students’ counselling sessions and discussing sessions and cases.  Students also attend an on-campus seminar (led by a faculty member from the program) with other students in the practicum.  The seminar includes group supervision and case consultation.  In addition, M.Ed. students are required to register in the comprehensive exam course (EDUC 883) in their final term. Typically students complete all remaining degree requirements (course work, comprehensive examination, thesis examination) during this period.

*EDUC 864 is sometimes offered in other terms and may be completed in a different term or year if this works with program requirements and the student's schedule.

How long will it take to complete a Masters degree in Counselling Psychology at SFU?

The shortest time in which the program may be completed is 8 terms. SFU operates 3 terms per calendar year, so the shortest time in which the program may be completed is 2 calendar years plus 2 terms.

Is it possible to continue working during the day while completing the program?

For most of the program, it is possible to continue working full-time or nearly full-time during the day.  Courses in the program usually begin at 16:30 and meet once per week.  Students usually take no more than 2 courses per term.  In addition to time spent in class, students must expect to spend about twice as much time out of class reading and preparing assignments.

During the 2^nd year of the program, students enroll in the Supervised Clinic courses (EDUC 799 in the fall and EDUC 800 in the spring) at the SFU Surrey Counselling Centre.  These courses are also scheduled in the evening, however, due to the nature of the course activities, students must also spend some additional time outside class during the day at the Centre. 

During the 3^rd year of the program, students usually complete the practicum courses (EDUC 801 and EDUC 802), which take place over two consecutive terms, from September through April.  The practicum requires a minimum 2 full weekday commitment and also involves a weekly evening seminar on campus.  Given the demands of the practicum, it is feasible to work half time at most during  these terms. 

Program Faculty

Admissions Requirements