Frequently asked questions

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.

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.

Tuition and fees information, including dates, payment options and a link to the current tuition and fees schedule, can be found on the Graduate Studies website.

You can also use the tuition fee estimator tool to calculate the approximate cost per term. The project-based program is intended to be completed in 2 years (6 terms). The thesis-based program often takes up to 3 years (8–9 terms).

There are various scholarships, bursaries, and employment opportunities available for Faculty of Health students. Apply for bursaries and scholarships as early as possible, and continue to compete for awards, such as coveted SSHRC awards, throughout your academic career.

See the Faculty's resources and supports page for more information.

Our graduates find work quickly when they finish their degrees as they are already working in their internship placements 2 to 3 days a week before graduating. We provide hands-on professional experience during the degree, which makes finding work easier than purely academic degrees.

The counselling psychology program has been accredited by the Council on Accreditation of Counsellor Education Programs (CACEP) and provides a path towards certification as a Canadian Certified Counsellor or a Registered Clinical Counsellor after graduation.

Learn more about professional certification and accreditation.

We receive many applications for entry into the counselling program each year. Because of this, the admissions process is competitive. Meeting admission requirements does not guarantee program entry as some years are more competitive than others.

Fully completed applications with the highest grade point average (GPA), the highest grades in CNPY 417, 418 and 414, the most number of hours worked in a helping capacity, the highest skills evaluations, the highest academic assessments are typically the most competitive applications each year.

Please note: we cannot provide you with individual feedback if your application is unsuccessful.

No. However, the more courses you have completed by the time we review your files, the stronger your application will be.

All 3 CNPY prerequisites must have been completed within 7 years before the application deadline.

CNPY 417 and 418 must be completed by the end of the calendar year before the entry point year you are applying to (e.g., by Dec. 31, 2025, for programs starting in September 2026). If you have not completed CNPY 417 or CNPY 418 by Dec. 31, or if you get a B or lower in any of these 3 courses, your application will not be processed.

You can apply having not completed CNPY 414 and it won't make your application any less competitive. If you are offered a spot in the program, then you will be required to take the course at UVic in the summer term before the program starts.

Learn more about when you must complete your prerequisites.

To request equivalency to an CNPY course, or for examples of accepted courses, please see the prerequisite equivalency request guide. You must submit a request for every course that you are using as equivalent to an CNPY prerequisite, whether it is listed in the guide. The syllabus can change from year to year, so even if a course is listed, it may not always be accepted.

Because work experience is one of our main criteria for adjudication, we do not accept work experience or practica to substitute for prerequisite courses or any other requirement.

If you do not live in Victoria and need to complete the CNPY prerequisites, you can take CNPY 418 online each term. For the other prerequisites, there may be equal courses at other universities.

To take these courses at UVic, you must first apply to become a non-degree student and go through the regular undergraduate admissions process (not in continuing studies).

As part of the online application, you will indicate that "I already have a degree and want to take additional courses (but not another undergraduate degree)." Please select "Social Sciences - non-degree" as your program.

Usually, the 3 required CNPY courses are offered each term (September, January and May terms). These courses all fill up quickly, so we recommend applying early if you need to.

You can apply having not completed CNPY 414 and it won't make your application any less competitive. However, it is best to complete it by the end of the calendar year (Dec. 31) prior to the entry point year you apply to.

If you are offered a spot in the program, then you will be required to take the course at UVic in the summer term before the program starts.

No, this requirement cannot be waived even if you are working in the counselling field during that time. Because work experience is one of our main criteria for adjudication, we do not accept work experience or practica to substitute for prerequisite courses or any other requirement.

Counselling-related experience is defined as working with vulnerable populations in a position where the applicant's main role was to help individuals or groups with personally meaningful goals or needs.

Some examples of counselling-related experience include, but are not limited to:

• teaching
• leading youth groups
• support work
• social work
• at-risk youth/community outreach
• addictions services
• victim support services
• volunteer counselling
• crisis lines
• hospice care

Please note that self-employed work can be included on your resume as professional experience but does not count towards the work experience requirement.

If you are looking for volunteer opportunities, you may find it helpful to browse volunteer hub sites. For example, you could check Volunteer Victoria or other similar sites for your local area. 

Typically, successful applicants have completed 600–800 counselling-related hours. However, all hours are not created equally, so it depends on where they were completed. A minimum might be around 300 hours, if those hours are counselling-related like being as a youth support worker. It also depends on how competitive the other applications are in a given year, so this is just a rough guide.