The Masters in Counselling by coursework is a counselling programme for counselling teachers, lecturers in counselling and psychology at the college and institution of higher education, people with experience in the field of counselling and psychology, especially those involved in the guidance and helping activities and professionals with experience who give counselling and psychology services. This programme includes a holistic and wide range of counselling areas pertaining theories and approaches of counselling, types of counselling and related counselling issues. Candidates will be given the opportunity to specialize in four counselling areas of their choices.

• To improve the quality of professionals in the field of counselling that focuses in helping the social fraternity.
• To offer professional courses in counselling and to increase the number of qualified counsellors in Malaysia.
• To produce integrated human capital. The dynamicity of knowledge in this field has the capacity to guide and help humans to face the challenges for now and future.
• To fulfil the criteria set by the Malaysia Board of Counsellors under the Counsellor Act. 1998 (Act 580). To recognize Masters in Counselling students as Registered Counsellors and extend them to Practising Certificate which will allow them to practise in the society.
• As a basic requirement for the practise of Doctorate of Education (Ed.D) and Ph.D.

The Masters in Counselling programme by coursework has two components. The two components are the core component and the specialization component respectively. The total number of core courses is 35 units and specialization courses are 18 units to graduate. Core component are divided into two categories; generic courses (27 units) and research skills courses (8 units). Meanwhile, specialization component are divided into four areas; Child & Adolescent, Marriage & Family, Crisis and Organization. Candidates are also needed to pass all 12 units of Practicum, Internship and Project courses.

• PLG500/4 : Statistical Reasoning in Education
• PLG501/4 : Research Methods in Education
• PLK555 : Application of Theory in Counselling Practice
• PLK556 : Individual Counselling, Process, Strategy & Technique
• PLK557 : Group Counselling Process, Strategy & Technique
• PLK558 : Guidance & Career Counselling
• PLK559 : Life Span Psychology
• PLK560 : Multicultural Counselling
• PLK561 : Ethics and Legal in Counselling
• PLK562 : Individual Appraisal
• PLK563 : Vocational Counselling
• PLK564 : Practicum
• PLK565 : Marriage & Family Counselling
• PLK566 : Legal & Cultural Issues in Marriage & Family
• PLK567 : Theory & Human Resource Development
• PLK568 : Behavioural Issues In Organization
• PLK569 : Psychology of Grief
• PLK570 : Crisis Intervention
• PLK 571 : Child & Adolescent Psychology
• PLK 572 : Child & Adolescent Behavioural Issues
• PLK 598 : Internship
• PLK599 : Project

The Masters in Counselling by coursework programme is offered on a fulltime and part time basis at the USM main campus. The duration of the candidature is outlined below.

Every student registering for PLK598 and PLK 599 courses will be assigned to be under the supervision of a lecturer from the field of guidance and counselling to help them conduct their research and internship. It is the students’ responsibilities to meet their supervisors to discuss and plan the research and internship before any research work is conducted. Students are encouraged to set appointment schedules with their respective supervisors at least once a week. Changing of supervisor is not allowed unless with the approval of the school board.

Applicants must have the following qualifications:

• Possess a Bachelor Degree (with honours) in any related field, with the minimum CGPA of 2.75 or a lower second class degree.
• Experienced in the field of psychology and counselling, especially those who are involved in the guidance and helping activities.

* * Candidates will be interviewed before acceptance.