MSc Counselling is typically a 2 year PG degree offered in colleges such as Christ University, Loyola College of Social Sciences, etc. MSc Counselling eligibility criteria is met if students have a bachelors degree in a relevant field with minimum 50% aggregate marks from any recognized university. MSc Counselling is designed to understand Clinical and Counselling Psychology and Therapy along with theoretical knowledge and field practice.
Most colleges offer a MSc Counselling admission through entrance exams such as TS CPGET or CUET-PG while a few colleges may also give merit based admissions. MSc Counselling course fees start from INR 10,000 and can go up to INR 1,00,000 annually in private colleges such as Manipal Academy of Higher Education. The job profiles after completion of a MSc Counselling are Student Counsellor, Clinical Therapist, etc. The average annual salaries for MSc Counselling freshers are INR 2 - 8 lacs depending on skills and expertise.
- MSc Counselling : Course Highlights
- What is an MSc Counselling?
- Why choose an MSc Counselling?
- MSc Counselling: Eligibility
- MSc Counselling: Admission Process
- MSc Counselling: Colleges in India
- MSc Counselling: Syllabus
- MSc Counselling: Job Profiles
- MSc Counselling: Future Scope
- MSc Counselling: Frequently Asked Questions
MSc Counselling : Course Highlights
Given below are the highlights of a MSc Counselling course:
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Course Name | M.Sc Counselling |
| Course Level | Postgraduate (PG) |
| Duration | 2 Years |
| Eligibility | Bachelor's degree in a relevant field with a minimum of 50% aggregate marks from a recognized university |
| Admission Process | Entrance Exam (TS CPGET, CUET-PG) or Merit-Based |
| Top Colleges | Christ University, Loyola College of Social Sciences, Manipal Academy of Higher Education |
| Course Fees | ₹10,000 - ₹1,00,000 per year (varies by college) |
| Job Roles | Student Counsellor, Clinical Therapist, Mental Health Practitioner |
| Salary Range | ₹2 - ₹8 LPA (Depends on skills and expertise) |
What is an MSc Counselling?
MSc Counselling is a 2-year PG program aimed at imparting theoretical information and practical techniques in clinical and counselling psychology and therapy. The program is aimed at understanding human behavior, psychological disorders, and intervention in mental health. It addresses field training, research methodology, and direct exposure to the practice of counselling in preparing graduates for professional employment in mental health and allied areas.
Why choose an MSc Counselling?
Given below are the benefits of pursuing an MSc Counselling:
- Increasing interest in mental health has created a strong requirement for professional counsellors in various fields.
- Professionals can work in schools, hospitals, NGOs, corporate HR, as well as private practice.
- Fieldwork and internship are also part of the course to ensure practical counselling practice.
- The program is more affordable compared to other professional programs that provide adequate returns on investment.
- Graduates of MSc Counselling can also practice abroad with proper license hence increasing prospect for potential higher income.
MSc Counselling: Eligibility
To fulfil the MSc Counselling eligibility, the students must have completed BSc in Counselling or related fields from a recognized university. Entrance exams are conducted by most institutes during MSc Counselling admissions. The institutes and their requirements determine the students' selection criteria.
MSc Counselling: Admission Process
The MSc Counselling admission process is procedural as per the respective colleges’ selection criteria. For example, MSc Counselling admission process is as given below for Amity Institute of Psychology and Allied Sciences:
- Application Form Submission: Offline/online application form submission to the desired college.
- Merit-Based Selection: Direct admission on merit is provided by some colleges.
- Release of list of selected students on the official college website.
Apart from that, colleges such as MCC, Bengaluru and BHU conduct entrance tests for MSc Counselling admissions. Below is the list of entrance tests for MSc Counselling admissions:
| Entrance Exam | Conducting Body | Application Deadline | Exam Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CUET-PG | National Testing Agency (NTA) | 8th February 2025 | 13th to 31st March, 2025 |
| BHU PET | Banaras Hindu University(BHU) | 8th February 2025 | 13th Mar to 1st Apr, 2025 |
| MET | Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) | 20th April, 2025 | 12th May, 2025 |
| DUET | National Testing Agency (NTA) | Mar 24, 2025 | May last week, 2025 |
| Christ University Entrance Test | Christ University | Apr 4, 2025 | May 9, 2025 |
MSc Counselling: Colleges in India
Given below is a list of MSc Counselling colleges along with their location and course fees:
| NIRF Ranking (2024) | College Name | Location | Annual Fees (INR) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | Loyola College | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 40,000 |
| 28 | Kristu Jayanti College | Bangalore, Karnataka | 95,000 |
| Not Ranked | Madras School of Social Work (MSSW) | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 75,000 |
| 33 | St. Francis College for Women | Hyderabad, Telangana | 78,000 |
| 6 | Banaras Hindu University (BHU) | Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh | 10,000 |
| Not Ranked | Chettinad Academy of Research and Education | Chennai, Tamil Nadu | 90,000 |
| 17 | Manipal Academy of Higher Education (MAHE) | Manipal, Karnataka | 1,00,000 |
MSc Counselling: Syllabus
The MSc Counselling is a 2-year postgraduate program that provides in-depth knowledge of Counselling and Clinical psychology, etc. Given below is the MSc Counselling syllabus at Loyola College, Chennai:
| Semester | Subjects |
|---|---|
| Semester 1 | Theories of Counselling Psychology, Research Methodology & Statistics, Psychopathology & Mental Health, Psychological Assessment – I, Counselling Skills & Techniques, Practical – I (Psychological Testing & Counselling Skills) |
| Semester 2 | Advanced Counselling Techniques, Cognitive & Behavioural Therapy, Psychological Assessment – II, Counselling in Special Populations, Practical – II (Case Studies & Counselling Sessions), Internship – I |
| Semester 3 | Family & Marital Therapy, Group Counselling & Psychotherapy, Neuropsychology & Rehabilitation, Elective – I (Choice-based specialization), Research Project Proposal Submission, Practical – III |
| Semester 4 | Ethics & Professional Issues in Counselling, Crisis & Trauma Counselling, Elective – II (Advanced specialization topic), Research Dissertation & Viva, Practical – IV (Internship – II & Field Work) |
MSc Counselling: Job Profiles
Given below is an overview of career opportunities and starting salary ranges for professionals post the completion of a MSc Counselling:
| Job Profile | Description | Starting Salary (INR per annum) |
|---|---|---|
| Counselling Psychologist | Provides therapy to individuals dealing with mental health issues, stress, anxiety, or trauma. | ₹3 - 7 LPA |
| Clinical Therapist | Works in hospitals, rehabilitation centers, or clinics to provide psychotherapy and mental health support. | ₹4 - 8 LPA |
| School/Student Counsellor | Helps students with academic stress, career guidance, and personal issues in schools and colleges. | ₹2.5 - 6 LPA |
| Marriage & Family Therapist | Specializes in counselling couples and families to resolve conflicts and improve relationships. | ₹3 - 6 LPA |
| Rehabilitation Counsellor | Works with people recovering from addiction, trauma, or disabilities to help them reintegrate into society. | ₹3 - 6 LPA |
| Corporate Mental Health Counsellor | Provides stress management and psychological support for employees in organizations. | ₹4 - 7 LPA |
| Child & Adolescent Counsellor | Works with children and teenagers dealing with behavioral issues, emotional struggles, and learning disabilities. | ₹3 - 6 LPA |
MSc Counselling: Future Scope
Upon the completion of MSc Counselling, students can follow the below given career paths:
- One can pursue a PhD in Counselling for further in depth knowledge in this field.
- Certification courses such as CRC or CBT can also be done for upskilling.
- Some colleges offer M.Phil in Counselling and related fields that can help with specialisation.
MSc Counselling: Frequently Asked Questions
Is an MSc Counselling necessary to be licensed as a counsellor in India?
Yes, at times an MSc in Counselling would be necessary, but increasingly more certification or licensure (e.g., RCI registration for clinical practice) will be necessary based on one's career aspirations.
What are the professional ethics of counselling psychology to be followed?
Counselling psychologists have to follow ethical standards such as client confidentiality, informed consent, non-judgmental care, and professional boundaries. They also comply with the RCI guidelines.
What are some of the effective tools for MSc Counselling?
Statistical programs like SPSS, R, TheraNest, SimplePractice and NVivo are being used by students and professionals employed and seeking MSc Counselling to undertake statistical research and studies.
Is age a cap on seeking an MSc Counselling?
No maximum age is fixed to apply for MSc Counselling programs. All the universities accept applicants on merit of academic performance and entrance exam.
