Master of Psychology in Counselling Psychology
Course Details
Duration
2 years, full-time
Modules
5 modules
Accreditation
NQF 9, Council for Higher Education (CHE) and Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA)
Practicum
12 months supervised internship at an HPCSA-accredited site
Campus
Why study this qualification?
The Master of Psychology in Counselling Psychology [MPsych (Counselling Psychology)] is a professional master’s qualification designed to prepare graduates for registration as Counselling Psychologists with the Health Professions Council of South Africa (HPCSA).
This NQF Level 9 programme has an explicit focus on cultural responsiveness, trauma, inequality and the social and economic factors that shape mental health. It prepares students to address psychological challenges affecting individuals, couples, families, groups, organisations and communities through ethical, evidence-based and contextually responsive practice.
The two-year, full-time programme comprises two distinct stages: the first year integrates advanced psychological theory, research, evidence-based therapeutic practice, and supervised work integrated learning, while the second year consists of a 12-month internship at an HPCSA-accredited training site.
The MPsych (Counselling Psychology) is designed to develop practitioners who can meaningfully contribute to individual wellbeing, community development and broader societal transformation.
The SACAP advantage
Since the college’s inception in 1997, SACAP has centred its qualifications on Applied Psychology, integrating theory with supervised practice. This professional master’s programme takes this philosophy even further, empowering graduates to enter the workforce with real-world experience and confidence.
What you can expect
The programme develops advanced competencies in:
- Psychological assessment and diagnosis informed by DSM and ICD diagnostic frameworks
- Evidence-based therapeutic interventions
- Case formulation and treatment planning
- Psychopathology across the lifespan and psychopharmacology
- Community psychology and psychosocial interventions
- Research design and practice-based inquiry
- Ethical, legal and professional practice
Qualfication Highlights
Develop advanced competencies for ethical, evidence-based and culturally responsive professional practice in Counselling Psychology.
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Contribute to individual wellbeing, community development and broader societal transformation.
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An HPCSA accredited professional training pathway for Counselling Psychologists.
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Provides professional preparation for the HPCSA Board Examination.
Who is this qualification for?
Do you:
- Want to pursue an HPCSA accredited professional training pathway towards registration as a Counselling Psychologist, subject to successfully completing the programme, passing the HPCSA Board Examination and meeting all applicable HPCSA registration requirements.
- Want to gain applied learning and real-world practice.
- Have a Bachelor Honours degree in a cognate field and want a master’s degree that builds advanced competencies in psychological assessment, therapeutic intervention and the promotion of psychological wellbeing.
- Have an interest in social justice, cultural responsiveness and promoting community impact.
- Seek exposure to diverse client populations and contexts.
- Want to develop the professional competencies required to respond to psychological challenges affecting individuals, couples, families, groups, organisations and communities.
- Seek employment in public, private, community and non-profit settings.
- Want to graduate as a reflective, ethical and competent practitioner.
What this qualification leads to
Registered Counselling Psychologist Pathway
The pathway towards registration as a Counselling Psychologist is as follows:
- Successfully complete the Master of Psychology in Counselling Psychology [MPsych (Counselling Psychology)], which includes a 12-month internship.
- Write and pass the HPCSA Board Examination.
- Apply to register with the HPCSA as a Counselling Psychologist, subject to meeting all registration requirements.
Career opportunities
Following successful completion of the qualification, HPCSA Board Examination and registration with the HPCSA as a Counselling Psychologist, graduates can pursue opportunities across a range of community, educational, healthcare, corporate and public sector settings.
- Government and public health sectors
- Healthcare settings
- Community and non-profit organisations
- Schools and educational institutions
- Corporate and organisational environments
- Private practice
Master of Psychology in Counselling Psychology modules
Core Modules
Programme structure
The MPsych (Counselling Psychology) is structured over two years:
YEAR 1 (M1): Academic and practicum training
5 integrated modules:
- Applied Community Psychology and Group Interventions (NQF 9, 33 credits)
- Psychotherapeutic Interventions and Professional Practice (NQF 9, 40 credits)
- Psychological Assessment, Ethics and Professional Practice (NQF 9, 40 credits)
- Psychopathology Across the Lifespan and Psychopharmacology (NQF 9, 40 credits)
- Case Study Research in Counselling Psychology (NQF 9, 45 credits)
- Supervised Work Integrated Learning (WIL) integrated into the Year 1 curriculum
- Weekly clinical supervision
- Development of a case study research mini dissertation.
YEAR 2 (M2): Internship
- Full-time, 12 months supervised internship in an HPCSA-accredited site
Practicum
Supervised work integrated learning is an integral component of the MPsych (Counselling Psychology).
- Psychotherapy with clients under supervision
- Psychological assessments
- Community-based interventions and group work
- Case formulation, report writing and feedback processes
Practicum begins in Year 1 and continues throughout that year, ensuring that students progress into their internship with applied competence and professional readiness.
Graduate attributes
Graduates of the programme will demonstrate:
- Ethical and professionally accountable practice
- Cultural humility and contextual responsiveness
- Integration of theory, research and practice
- Advanced critical thinking and clinical reasoning
- Reflective and self-aware professional identity
- Commitment to social justice and community wellbeing
Additional information
British Accreditation Council (BAC)
SACAP is fully accredited by the British Accreditation Council (BAC) as an Independent Higher Education Institution
The BAC accreditation is a globally recognised hallmark of quality assurance, and achieving this accreditation demonstrates that we have met the high standards set by the BAC. This accreditation is validation of our commitment to excellence and our mission to provide our students with a world-class education that prepares them for success in their future careers.
Our students can be assured that their education provider has met a gold standard. To maintain BAC accreditation SACAP needs to continue to meet BAC’s standards. BAC ensure that colleges, universities and training providers provide high quality education and a great learning experience for students.
Admission requirements
Minimum Entrance Requirements:
All applicants for this programme are required to undergo a screening and selection process.
- A minimum of an appropriate Bachelor Honours Degree (NQF Level 8) or appropriate Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology, or a Bachelor of Psychology degree, having achieved a grade point average (GPA) of 65% and above.
OR
- Applicants who do not meet the above requirements should provide a portfolio of evidence demonstrating either by examination, research experience, publication, considerable relevant work experience in the field, or a record of appropriate training and/or development, that they have reached a level in the subject or a cognate subject, that is equivalent to the learning outcomes of an Honours Bachelor’s degree/NQF 8 qualification. RPL applications for this programme are only considered for admission into the programme and not for advanced standing or module exemption.
- Successful completion of SACAP’s selection process (admission is competitive, and meeting the minimum entrance requirements does not guarantee selection.)
See SACAP’s full Admissions Policy here
How can I apply?
Applications for the Master of Psychology in Counselling Psychology will open in 2027.
Course details
- Duration: 2 years, full-time
- Modules: 5 integrated core modules in Year 1, followed by a 12-month full-time supervised internship at an HPCSA-approved site.
- Accreditation: It is NQF Level 9 and CHE-accredited.
