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Faculty of Health

Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology

Our program gives students the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding to work as professional counsellors in a wide variety of settings.

We offer:

  • a balanced program of theory, practice and research
  • small classes, ongoing contact with a program supervisor and close faculty contact
  • practica where you'll get the counsellor preparation and training necessary to work in different settings
Program objectives
Applications & admissions
Professional accreditation
Contact us
FAQs
Two students talk in a counselling office.
Good conversations can change lives for the better.

Thesis-based program

The thesis-based program is for students who want to pursue doctoral-level degrees upon completion of their MA. The program requires at least 27 units of coursework and typically takes 2.5 to 3 years to complete.

A thesis is an independent research project that requires a supervisory committee and external examination at the University level.

Learn more about thesis-based programs

Course-based programs

The course-based program is for students who want to enter the counselling profession without specialized research training or the intent to complete a PhD.

Students enrolled in the course-based program are required to complete 22.5 units of coursework, including a comprehensive exam. This program typically takes 2 years to complete.

View course requirements

Practica

The Council on Accreditation for Counsellor Education Programs (CACEP) considers supervised practice as the most critical experience of the counselling psychology program. Our program includes 2 placements: an introductory first-year practicum (CNPY 522) and a more extensive second-year internship (CNPY 523).

CNPY 522 provides basic counselling interventions with an emphasis on the therapeutic relationship. CNPY 523 provides intensive practice in advanced counselling techniques and approaches and is supervised by a professional counsellor in a community setting.

Learn about practica

Program prerequisites

Note: As of May 1, 2025, the counselling psychology program is administered through the Faculty of Health. Counselling course codes have been migrated from "ED-D" to "CNPY" for prerequisite courses, e.g., CNPY 417, 418, 414.

As part of your online application, you must complete and submit a list of counselling prerequisite courses.

Learn about prerequisite requirements

Teaching assistant & sessional opportunities

We post teaching assistant (TA) and sessional lecturer positions on the Faculty of Health website throughout the year.

Explore current opportunities

Program costs & funding

Use the UVic tuition calculator to calculate a custom estimate of your program fees. 

Funding & financial support

Graduate students have access to a variety of funding sources, including fellowships, scholarships, teaching assistantships, and research assistantships. If you have questions or concerns, the Scholarships Office in the Faculty of Graduate Studies is your go-to resource for advice and guidance. Counselling psychology students may also be eligible for additional scholarships and donor awards.

You can find details about awards, application procedures, and due dates on the Faculty of Graduate Studies website. Many students also receive support through provincial or federal student loans, the UVic Tuition Bursary Fund for those in financial difficulty, and competitive external scholarships such as the Canadian Graduate Scholarships – Master’s.

Ready to apply?

Applications for this program are accepted online each fall for entry the following September.

To be considered, you must complete the Graduate Admissions online application and submit all required documents by November 30.

See admission requirements How to apply

Learn more

Questions? Connect with our program assistant

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Territory acknowledgement

We acknowledge and respect the Lək̓ʷəŋən (Songhees and Xʷsepsəm/Esquimalt) Peoples on whose territory the university stands, and the Lək̓ʷəŋən and W̱SÁNEĆ Peoples whose historical relationships with the land continue to this day.