Regulations for the Degree of Master of Counselling (MCouns)

1. The Personal Programmes of Study Regulations apply in these regulations.

Admission

2. Candidates for the Degree must have
   1. qualified for the award of a bachelors degree of the University of Waikato with at least a B grade average across the 300 level papers, or for a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, and
   2. provided evidence of at least two years’ prior experience and/or professional preparation in counselling, and
   3. been selected as a suitable person for the Counselling programme.
3. In exceptional circumstances, based on academic merit and relevant experience, candidates who do not meet the requirements of section 2 of these regulations may be considered for admission subject to the completion of any qualifying papers the Academic Board may prescribe which must be completed either prior to or concurrently.

Requirements for the Degree

4. The normal minimum period of enrolment for completion of the Degree is two years.
5. Candidates must enrol in the Division of Education and follow an approved programme of study.
6. Candidates must gain 240 points at 500 level from the papers offered for the Degree, including any compulsory papers prescribed in the Counselling Subject Regulations.
7. The programme of study must comprise
   1. 120 points from the compulsory papers for the Degree, including a practicum, and a thesis equivalent to 120 points, or
   2. 120 points from the compulsory papers for the Degree, including a practicum, and a thesis equivalent to 90 points and a further 30 points from the prescribed papers, or
   3. 120 points from the compulsory papers for the Degree, including a practicum, and a dissertation equivalent to 60 points and a further 60 points from the prescribed papers, or
   4. 240 points from the prescribed papers, including at least 120 points from the compulsory papers for the Degree and including the practicum.¹
8. Candidates must arrange their own practicum placement in order to meet the requirements of section 7 of these regulations. The arrangements must be approved by the Professional Leader - Counsellor Education Programmes.
9. Candidates must pass the practicum component to be eligible for the award of the Degree.
10. If a candidate fails a paper or papers (worth not more than 30 points in total), they may repeat the paper or papers or take an alternative paper or papers with the same total points value on one occasion only. A candidate who fails a paper or papers worth more than 30 points in total will not be permitted to proceed with the Degree.
11. Where a candidate fails a paper, they may be permitted to repeat the paper or take an alternative paper on one occasion only. A candidate who fails more than one paper will not be permitted to proceed with the Degree.

Examination of thesis (90 points and above)

12. The University will appoint two examiners for the candidate's thesis; one examiner external to the University and active in the research field of the thesis; and one examiner internal to the University, with a good grounding in the research field, who is not directly connected to the candidate, or the candidate’s thesis research or supervision.

Award of Honours

13. The Degree may be awarded with
    1. First Class Honours, or
    2. Second Class Honours (first division), or
    3. Second Class Honours (second division),

or without honours.

14. Candidates who fail a paper will not be eligible for the award of honours.

Variations

15. Candidates who have completed the Postgraduate Diploma in Counselling of the University of Waikato or a qualification considered by the Academic Board to be equivalent, will be exempted from 180 points for the Degree.
16. Candidates may, with approval, substitute 60 points from other subjects listed in the University of Waikato Subject Regulations in place of those prescribed for the Degree.
17. The Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Division or delegated authority may vary or waive these regulations in individual cases.

Notes:

^1. Candidates who complete a Master of Counselling by coursework alone would not ordinarily be permitted to apply for admission directly to doctoral study.

^2. The intake for this programme is limited. Intending candidates should make enquiries regarding application and selection procedures to the Professional Leader - Counsellor Education Programmes by 1 October at the latest in the year prior to that in which they intend studying.