MASTER OF ARTS IN COUNSELLING PSYCHOLOGY (62200-A1)

Please note applications for Masters in Clinical & Counselling Psychology are closed for 2024.

  • Shortlisting: 01 - 31 August 2023
  • Selections: 14 - 21 September 2023

All shortlisted applicants will be contacted, and all uncontacted applicants may consider their applications as unsuccessful.

Admission Requirements:

Candidates shall be admitted to the degree only if they have obtained an Honours degree in Psychology or equivalent 4th year BPsych degree (or have met the course requirements for such a degree, by the end of 2022) at a level considered satisfactory by the Department of Psychology. All candidates are subject to a strict selection process which entails shortlisting all complete, received applications for the subsequent interview phase of the selection process. The programme shall extend over a minimum of two academic years of full-time study. The selection process is aligned to the University’s transformation vision and strategic priorities. 

Degree Requirements:

The degree shall be obtained on completion of all theoretical modules, practical work, treatise and the internship. Practical work amounts to 5 hours per week in the first year of study and is prescribed by the Professional Board for Psychology. Candidates shall be admitted to the internship in the second year of study after the successful completion of all theoretical modules and satisfactory demonstration of required practical and theoretical competencies, including sound ethical principles and behaviour. Internship training shall extend over a period of not less than 12 months and must be undertaken at an institution accredited for this purpose by the Health Professions Council of South Africa. The University Psychology Clinic (UCLIN) in collaboration with Emthonjeni – Student Wellness Services is accredited for the training of Counselling Psychology Interns.

Duration:

A master’s degree in Counselling Psychology is completed in a minimum of two years of full-time study.

 

First year modules:

  • Professional Ethics and Practice Management
  • Psychological Assessment and Psychometrics
  • Psychopathology and Psychofortology across the Lifespan
  • Theory and Practice of Counselling and Psychotherapy
  • Neuropsychology: A Lifespan Approach
  • Research Methodology

 

Second year:

  • Internship (Counselling Psychology)

The internship for students is structured to allow the student the opportunity of getting the most out of the internship experience. During the internship in Counselling Psychology, the student may be placed at one of the following sites: UCLIN, Emthonjeni – Student Wellness Services.

Research:

Each master’s student is expected to undertake an individual research project, which is started within his or her first year of master’s registration. This project takes the form of a treatise which must be submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the Master’s Degree in Counselling Psychology. In order to assist students to complete their research projects successfully in the minimum period of time, expert guidance concerning methodology, quantitative or qualitative analysis and research report writing is offered by staff members including those registered as research psychologists.

The following are currently the main areas of research focus in the Department, namely:

  • Clinical Health Psychology
  • Human Eco-Systems
  • Psychobiographical Studies
  • Standardization and Development of Psychological Tests
  • Neuropsychology
  • Cultural Psychology
  • Developmental Psychology and Developmental Psychopathology
  • Personal and Professional Development
  • Cyber Psychology
  • Gender and Sexuality
  • Community Psychology
  • Political Psychology

 

Professional Board Requirements:

Timing of Internship:

The internship must commence within two years of completing the first year of a directed Master's degree. 

 

National Board Examination:

As from 1 January 2003 any person who enrolled at a University for a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology is required to pass the HPCSA Professional Board for Psychology's National Examination prior to registration as a psychologist. Candidates are required to obtain a minimum of 70% in the examination and sub-minimum of 70% to the question on ethics. This examination is conducted in February, June and October of each year.
 
The closing dates for application to write the examination are: 15 December for the February examination, 30 April for the June examination, and 31 August for the October examination.
 
For more information on the above, please contact the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA), Professional Board for Psychology, at (012) 338-9300 / (012) 338-9300 or visit their website at www.hpcsa.co.za

 

Application Details

Please note that application to the degree is a dual process. A general application to the University is required as well as an application to the Department of Psychology. Each application requires different documents. See below.  

 

Documents required by the University Admissions Department

Please submit your application online to:

https://www.mandela.ac.za/Apply/Admission/How-do-I-apply and upload the following required documents.

 

  • Certified copy of your ID
  • Certified copy of matric certificate/school leaving results
  • Certified copies of your Honours/Undergraduate degree certificate(s)
  • Academic record(s) and certificate(s) of conduct from previous institutions (with English translations where required)
  • Certified copy of marriage certificate (where applicable)
  • SAQA certificate for qualifications obtained at a non-South-African institute (where applicable)

 

Documents required by the Psychology Department

All departmental application documents to be emailed to: macounspsychapp@mandela.ac.za

NOTE: INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

All students with International qualifications need to apply via our Office for International Education.

Tel: +27 41 504-2161 or internationalstudents@mandela.ac.za

Contact information
Mrs Nomthandazo Busakwe
Secretary to UCLIN Manager (South Campus)
Tel: 27 41 504 2330
nomthandazo.busakwe@mandela.ac.za

Ms Ebonga Maraule
Departmental Secretary
Tel: 041 504 2354
Ebonga.Maraule@mandela.ac.za