Education Requirements
Needed
Master’s Degree in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, or closely related subject.
Education Pathway Advice
Students with a bachelor’s degree in a wide range of subjects are eligible for admission to master’s degrees in Social Work and some Counselling degrees. To also find out the admission requirements for master’s degrees in Psychology:
Download the Post Graduate GuideCareer Pathway Advice
Before Graduation
- Gain Work Experiences. (e.g., Co-op Education, Internships, Work Integrated Learning).
- Be Curious. Ask questions about the work environment and day-to-day tasks of a job. This includes reaching out to professionals in the field, faculty, counsellors/advisors, neighbours and friends.
- Develop Power Skills. (e.g., oral and written communication, teamwork & leadership, problem solving, critical thinking, innovation & creativity, and engaging diversity).
- Know Your Transferable Skills. Understand how the skills you are learning in your program meet or transfer to the requirements of your intended job.
- Develop Digital Literacy. Be able to find, communicate, create, and edit files online (e.g., Word, Excel, Outlook, Adobe).
- Be Grade Point Average (GPA) Aware. Know the minimum grade point average needed for admission to your desired graduate or professional program.
- Pursue Mentorship and Network Opportunities. (e.g., information interviews, developing relationships with someone working in the field, joining professional organizations, job shadowing, or volunteering).
- Prepare Your Job Search Documents. (e.g., LinkedIn profile, CV/Resume, cover letter, and portfolio).
- Practice your Interview Skills. Research common interview questions employers use, develop short stories you can use to demonstrate your skills and experience, and seek help from a career centre, family, or friends to do mock interviews.
After Graduation
- Embrace formal ongoing learning and professional development. Regulated professions in Canada demand it.
- Seek mentorship from co-workers and supervisors.
- Build network relationships with other industry professionals.
- Keep your jobs search documents updated.
- Build your brand by using social media, LinkedIn and professional membership or associations.
Spotlight Requirements
- A period of supervised training.
- Certification from the Canadian Addiction Counsellors Certification Federation (CACCF) or similar certification is normally needed for employment.
- Additional certification may be required for specialty areas of practice.
Expert Advice
- In Canada, the counselling profession is regulated in Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Quebec, & Ontario.
- The move towards regulating the counselling profession in other provinces is an evolving process. The Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association (CCPA) would like to see the same standards adopted across the country.
- At present only counsellors certified by the CCPA may use the term Canadian Certified Counsellor (CCC). This designation requires a Master’s Degree in Counselling and a supervised practicum.
- For more information refer to the Canadian Counselling and Psychotherapy Association website.
Note: You should always confirm admission requirements for your desired program with your intended university.