What is overseas education?

Overseas education is leaving your home country and going abroad to pursue further education. Through overseas education, you can avail of long-term degree courses as well as short-term certificate courses to learn a language or upskill yourself.

How to get a scholarship to study abroad?

If you are aiming to study abroad, identify your career goals, look for relevant courses and universities abroad, know the tuition fees and other expenditures, prepare well for the entrance exams, apply to shortlisted universities, accept the offer letter from the desired university, apply for a student visa and get ready to jet off!

The best way to study abroad for free is to avail of full-funded scholarships or university grants. The fully-funded scholarships are typically awarded to students who excel in academics or extracurricular activities and cover their tuition fees, travel expenses, accommodation, and other living expenses.

How to study abroad for free?

To get an education loan for studying abroad, you need to have the admission offer letter from the university and fulfill the eligibility criteria for securing the loan. In order to get an education loan at the best rate of interest, seek guidance from a reputed study-abroad consultant.

How to get an education loan for studying abroad?

Choose to study abroad to leverage better learning opportunities, see the world, meet new people, boost your resume, develop a broader perspective, become culturally competent, and avail yourself of lucrative job opportunities globally.

How to go abroad for studies?

The best way to go abroad for studies is to get in touch with reputed study-abroad consultants. They can help you explore courses aligned with your academic interests, guide you in preparing for entrance exams, help you with university and student visa applications, and even provide post-arrival assistance.

Masters of Counselling (Clinical Mental Health)

The Master of Counselling (Clinical Mental Health) programme at Sunway University is designed to cultivate highly knowledgeable and skilled counselling professionals ready to address mental health issues within the community. Graduates will be prepared to pursue professional certification as registered counsellors with the Board of Counsellors (Malaysia) – Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia. By completing the required supervised practice hours and meeting the Board’s requirements, they will gain both theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for effective counselling.

As the first private institution in Southeast Asia to offer this programme, Sunway University provides a comprehensive curriculum that covers a wide range of behavioural assessment and intervention techniques. The programme includes core areas such as developmental psychology, counselling theories, multicultural competence, career development, and group counselling. It emphasizes the application of scientific, statistical, and digital methods while upholding a strong focus on ethical practices. Additionally, students can choose from electives like marital and family counselling, tele-mental health, and counselling entrepreneurship, which further enrich their learning experience.

Upon graduation, students will possess key attributes to excel in the counselling profession. They will have a deep understanding of fundamental counselling principles and the ability to apply critical and creative thinking to solve mental health issues using scientific approaches. Graduates will adeptly manage mental health challenges with advanced research methods and practical counselling skills, demonstrating effective community interaction and support. They will excel in clear communication with both experts and laypersons and will be proficient in leveraging digital tools in their practice. Furthermore, they will possess strong numeracy skills for data interpretation, show leadership in addressing community mental health needs, and commit to lifelong learning and professional development. Our graduates will also bring entrepreneurial skills to advance the field of counselling and adhere to the highest ethical standards in their professional conduct.

The Master of Counselling (Clinical Mental Health) programme at Sunway University stands out due to its unique association with the Sunway Group and its strong linkage to Sunway Medical Centre. As part of the prestigious Sunway Group, which is renowned for its excellence in education, healthcare, and integrated facilities, our programme benefits from an extensive network and a commitment to holistic, high-quality education. The partnership with Sunway Medical Centre provides students with valuable opportunities for internships, practical training, and collaborative research projects, ensuring that graduates are well-prepared for real-world challenges in the mental health field.

Apply now to be part of a programme that blends academic excellence with practical, industry-leading resources.

What are the Differences between Internship and Practicum?

Aspect	Internship	Practicum
Purpose	Provides substantial, real-world exposure to the field; integrates students into the professional environment.	Focuses on applying academic learning in a controlled environment; emphasises skill development.
Duration	Typically lasts several months, with full-time or part-time hours.	Generally shorter in duration, integrated into a specific course or academic term.
Structure	Comprehensive experience with a range of tasks and responsibilities.	Structured schedule with a focus on the direct application of counselling skills.
Responsibilities	Broader scope, including case management, client interaction, and administrative tasks.	Specific tasks related to developing and refining counselling skills.
Supervision	Regular supervision with opportunities for independent work; overall performance evaluation.	Intensive supervision with detailed feedback on skill application and adherence to ethics.
Scope	Involves a range of responsibilities and integration into the professional setting.	Emphasises specific skill development and practical application within a guided framework.

How should I prepare for the Board of Counsellors (Malaysia) – Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia?

Upon completing the internship and practicum, you may apply for your registered and practising licensure with the Board while waiting for the official graduation scroll (subject to LKM’s processes and approval). Refer to the infographic here for more information.

Programme Structure

Core Subjects

Development across Lifespan

Theories and Process of Counselling

Foundation of Counselling Skills

Theories of Career Development

Career Counselling in Practice

Theories and Techniques of Group Counselling

Multicultural Counselling

Counselling Research Design & Statistics

Psychological Testing

Assessment in Counselling

Legal and Ethics in Counselling

Research Project

Electives

Pick 1 elective

Marital and Family Counselling

Tele-Mental Health Counselling

Entrepreneurship in Counselling

Practicum (In House)

The practicum is crucial in providing students with hands-on experience in real-world counselling settings. Typically, it involves 252 hours, including 96 client contact hours of on-site supervised practice. During this period, students conduct counselling sessions with clients while receiving guidance and feedback from experienced supervisors. This practical experience helps them develop and refine essential counselling skills, including assessment, intervention, and case management.

By Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia’s requirements, students must complete 252 supervised practice hours to qualify for certification as registered counsellors. The practicum supports the development of practical skills and ensures adherence to ethical standards and professional conduct. Through reflective practice and detailed case documentation, students gain valuable insights and competence, preparing them for successful careers in the counselling profession.

Internship (External Placement)

An internship is a key component that offers students hands-on experience in real-world counselling environments. Typically spanning several months, the internship involves completing a specified number of supervised practice hours in settings such as mental health clinics, schools, and community centers. This structured experience allows students to apply theoretical knowledge, conduct counselling sessions, and engage in client assessments while adhering to ethical standards.

Under the guidance of licensed professionals, students receive regular supervision and feedback to refine their skills and address challenges. The internship is designed to meet Lembaga Kaunselor Malaysia’s requirements of 504 hours for practical experience, ensuring that students are well-prepared for certification as registered counsellors. The 504 hours will cover individual and group counselling sessions, case management, psychoeducational programs, and intervention initiatives. This practical exposure enhances students’ counselling abilities and supports their professional development and readiness for their future careers. While the University will assist in making internship placement arrangements, students could also find placement opportunities within Malaysia.

Core: Specialisation Subjects

Crisis Intervention in Counselling

Children & Adolescent Mental Health

Clinical Mental Health Counselling

Psychopathology in Counselling

Entry Requirements

A bachelor’s degree in the field or related fields with a minimum CGPA of 2.50 or equivalent as accepted by the HEP Senate
Candidates without a qualification in the field/related fields/relevant working experience must undergo appropriate prerequisite courses determined by the HEP and meet the minimum CGPA

English Language Requirements

IELTS 6.0
TOEFL 550 (paper-based), 200 (computer-based), 75 (internet-based)
PTE Academic 50 overall
MUET Band 4
Cambridge English: First/CEFR 170 (Grade B)/B2
Cambridge English: Advanced/CEFR 170 (Grade B)/B2
Note: Candidates who have completed a bachelor’s degree or equivalent in English would have met the language requirement.

Specific Requirements

Candidates who fulfil the previous requirements must also:

Provide a personal statement (500 words) of why they would like to join this programme
Pass an interview

Application Procedure

Kindly email the following documents to [email protected] for an eligibility check:

Curriculum Vitae
Bachelor’s/Master’s degree transcript (if applicable)
Completion certificates
Mental health declaration form and
A 2500-word Personal Statement – Why do you want to join the programme?

Once you have completed and passed the above, an interview will be held between you and two panel members. This assessment aims to evaluate the applicant’s preparedness for counsellor training, including their understanding of and expectations regarding the counselling field. It also aims to gauge their psychological readiness for the profession’s demands. Additionally, the assessment allows applicants to familiarize themselves with the program’s expectations and requirements.

After passing the eligibility check, the school administrator will brief the student further regarding the application process. Incomplete documents will not be processed.