MA Career Counselling is a two-year postgraduate program that equips students with the principles and application of psychological concepts in career development. Candidates must have acquired a bachelor's degree with a mark of not less than 50 per cent ( 45 per cent in reserved category ) to be eligible to apply, and generally CUET-PG scores are used as a decimal measure of admission, but there is also a second phase of interviews by individual institutes.
This course prepares the candidates to conduct and analyse aptitude tests and personality tests in networking career workshops and implement theories of development in various locations. You gain the knowledge of psychological test techniques, counselling theories, and research skills to guide clients to make informed, goal-oriented career choices.
The fees vary quite widely, with average fees at RGNIYD (Sriperumbudur) of around INR 12,000 and the highest fees being at Christ University (Bengaluru) of INR 354,000. Other popular colleges are TISS Mumbai (INR 68000), Bharathiar University, Coimbatore (INR 28840), and IGNOU New Delhi (INR 36000). The possible employment of its graduates includes Career Counsellor (INR 4.5-6 LPA), Academic Advisor (salary INR 5 LPA), Placement Officers (salary INR 13 LPA), and HR Consultants (salary INR 6-8 LPA). The potential opportunities include schools, universities, EdTech companies, NGOs, and corporate HR groups.
Table of Contents
- MA Career Counselling Course Highlights
- What is MA Career Counselling?
- Why study MA Career Counselling?
- Who should study MA Career Counselling?
- MA Career Counselling Eligibility Criteria
- MA Career Counselling Entrance Exams
- MA Career Counselling Top Colleges in India
- MA Career Counselling Admission Process 2025
- MA Career Counselling Syllabus and Duration
- MA Career Counselling Job Opportunities in India
- MA Career Counselling Vs MA Psychology
- MA Career Counselling FAQs
MA Career Counselling Course Highlights
MA Career Counselling trains professionals in guiding students and professionals to make informed career choices. This postgraduate program equips candidates with skills in counselling, assessment, and career planning.
What is MA Career Counselling?
MA Career Counselling is a two-year postgraduate program designed to train professional career counsellors who can function independently in educational and work contexts.
- The program is specifically meant to fill up a list of qualified career counsellors who will be armed with a scientific evaluation process through modern assistive technology and methods of counselling.
- By exploring the interests, values, and talents of clients, students get to learn how to offer professional services to various populations, including the special ones, and how about looking into the available job opportunities that can result in career changes or professional growth.
- Students develop skills of race development theories, psychological assessment, and practical counselling through systematic training, making them competent professionals that could enable them to help people integrate their capabilities and aptitudes to appropriate career opportunities.
Why study MA Career Counselling?
MA Career Counselling equips graduates to guide diverse populations through today’s complex career landscape. The program is an amalgamation of theory, evaluation methods, and practical experience to develop informed decision-making. The graduates graduate with the willingness to respond to the rising demand for qualified counsellors in India.
- The guidance enables the learners to have direction, understanding and goals to learn the career goals which are SMART, as vague ones are changed.
- Self-help scientific tools (personality, aptitude, and psychometric tools) assist in the determination of strengths, weaknesses, and values that can be used to specifically plan a career.
- The graduates will learn how to make informed decisions based on the knowledge of trends in the industry, the job market trends, and trends in upcoming areas to advise the clients efficiently.
- The graduates have better opportunities to opt for research careers in the ed-tech sectors. The candidates can opt for various courses as a PhD in Psychology or PhD in Clinical Psychology.
- Becoming a mid-level counsellor in India has great economic potential, as they can earn between 4 lakh and 7 lakh rupees per year, while the senior and privately practising counsellors can earn more than 12 lakh rupees yearly.
- The work of career counsellors contributes immensely to mental well-being and career contentment because they help alleviate pressure, avoid making wrong career decisions, and instill resilience among learners and individuals.
Who should study MA Career Counselling?
MA Career Counselling is ideal for anyone passionate about guiding others through important career decisions. This scheme is crafted towards people who desire to contribute positively by guiding students and professionals in developing rewarding fields of work. The variety of background is also accepted; however, there must be a real desire to take an interest in people in their development.
- Graduates who have done a BA in psychology, education, and social work, or related disciplines, who need to specialise in career guidance.
- Educational workers, academic counsellors, and teachers who want to deal with students comprehensively in school settings and become counsellors.
- Human Resource professionals who desire to set up their expertise in dealing with people, as well as developing employees.
- The employees of NGOs or social workers who want to broaden their empowering capabilities among deprived and low social status youth.
- The career switchers and mid-career professionals who desire a worthwhile job that places more stress on people development and social contribution.
- Graduates who have solid interpersonal, listening and analytical capabilities, and who are excited about their growth and mentoring.
- Those who incline towards psycho-social assessment and career theories, as well as educational psychology, and who want to influence the future of the manpower of India.
- The candidates who are interested in counselling practices, EdTech solutions, or involvement with career efforts by the government.
MA Career Counselling Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility requirements guarantee that the candidates have the basics in terms of academic qualifications. MA Career Counselling demands relevant undergraduate qualifications. Admission is attained by getting a minimum marks.
- Degree of Bachelor of any discipline in a university; preference to higher degrees in Psychology, Applied Psychology or Career Counselling.
- At least 50% to 55% (45 to 50 of SC/ST/OBC candidates as per the standards of the institutions) in undergraduate studies.
- Admissions can be merit-based (undergraduate marks) or performance-based in entrance examinations, i.e. TISSNET, DUET, or university-specific exams.
- In some schools, after a written examination or selection (merit) short listing, there may be a departmental interview or group discussion.
MA Career Counselling Entrance Exams
The primary gateway for MA Career Counselling admission is CUET PG, ensuring standardised assessment nationwide. Some institutes may conduct their own written tests or interviews post-CUET PG, but no separate state-level exams exist exclusively for this course.
National Level Entrance Exam
MA Career Counselling Top Colleges in India
Leading universities across India offer specialised career counselling programs to meet the growing demand. These institutions provide comprehensive training in counselling theories, assessment techniques, and career development practices. Students gain practical experience through internships and fieldwork opportunities.
MA Career Counselling Admission Process 2025
Aspirants seeking admission to the MA Career Counselling programme at Rajiv Gandhi National Institute of Youth Development (RGNIYD must follow a multi-stage process based on CUET-PG scores and institute-specific tests. The following are the details of the admission process based on RGNIYD.
Admission Process
Step 1: Meet eligibility: bachelor's level degree with at least 50 per cent marks (or 45 per cent marks in case of reserved categories) and CUET PG qualification 2025.
Step 2: Online application: At rgniydcuet.samarth.edu.in, fill in the form of the PG application and upload the scanned copy documents.
Step 3: Payment of the application fee: Using a net banking channel, a debit/ credit card, or UPI, pay INR 500.
Step 4: Merit list RGNIYD will issue an initial merit list of CUET-PG scores; future lists will be issued when there are unoccupied seats.
Step 5: Entrance test on institute way: Shortlisted candidates are provided with a one-hour objective written test at specific centres.
Step 6: Interview: Those who qualify in the written test attend a personal interview on the campus.
Step 7: Spot admission(in case): RGNIYD has the spot registration on 31 July 2025 at the Sriperumbudur campus.
Step 8: Final selection: Based on the combined CUET-PG score, written test and an interview.
Step 9: Fee payment and document verification: Chosen ones would be expected to present original documents and pay fees to secure a place in the programme.
Required Documents
- SSLC/HSC mark sheets and certificates
- Consolidated undergraduate mark sheet and degree/provisional certificate
- Transfer & conduct certificates
- CUET-PG admit card and scorecard
- Community and nativity certificates
- Passport-size photographs and photo ID proof
MA Career Counselling Syllabus and Duration
The MA Career Counselling program at RGNIYD is a two-year degree divided into four semesters. This comprehensive curriculum combines theoretical knowledge with practical training in career guidance and counselling. Students develop expertise in psychological assessment, career development theories, and counselling techniques through structured coursework and hands-on experience.
MA Career Counselling Job Opportunities in India
The MA Career Counselling program opens diverse roles across educational, institutional, and corporate sectors. Graduates develop expertise in guiding individuals through career decisions. Below is a snapshot of key job profiles.
MA Career Counselling Vs MA Psychology
MA Career Counselling is quite limited in its orientation of people concerning career choices, education plans, and vocational advice. Conversely, MA Counselling Psychology focuses on a wider scope of general psychological well being providing counselling on a non-career related basis on emotional, mental health, and life matters.
MA Career Counselling FAQs
Which professional qualifications are combined with an MA in Career Counselling?
After the master's studies, graduates may seek the certification of the National Skill Development Corporation Careersellor Certification (NSDC-CCC), the Indian Board of Career Development Professionals (IBCDP), or foreign ones, such as the Global Career Development Facilitator (GCDF). Such qualifications improve credibility, standardise counselling procedures, and open up employment opportunities both locally and internationally.
How to become a career counsellor in India?
Although career counselling in India is not regulated by a single regulatory body, belonging to the professional associations, age as the Indian Association of Applied Psychology (IAAP) or the Career Development Network India, would prove compliance with the ethical standards of career counselling. There are state governments in which registration on the mental health boards or social work boards is mandated when counselling becomes to becoming more therapeutic.
Are there specialisation areas within the MA Career Counselling?
Yes, there are multiple specializations in the MA Career Counselling course. The MA Career Counselling courses in India will have fundamentals in the essential areas of career guidance, but the student is free to choose electives to study particular areas in greater depth. The specializations include School/college Education Counselling, Employee Transitions / Outplacement, Corporate Career Development, Hammerman Psychometric Assessment and Research, Counselling Special Populations (differently-abled, undeserving groups), or Entrepreneurship Coaching (start-up guiding).
What is the difference between MA and MSc Counselling Psychology?
MA Counselling Psychology deals with wider psychological wellness, hence including the provision of counselling in areas of emotional, mental health, and life challenges in addition to career-based problems. MSc in Counselling Psychology is usually emphasised to be scientific and research-oriented. It has even more intensive training in research methods, statistics, psychological assessment, and evidence.
What global opportunities exist for MA Career Counselling graduates?
Internationally, one can work as a career advisor at overseas universities, in talent development in corporations, or as a consultant to international NGOs. Credential certification (e.g. GCDF, Licensed Professional Counsellor in the US) may provide the entrance to higher education establishments, multinational corporations and worldwide development organisations.