Master of Social Sciences in Counselling (MSocSc in Counselling)
The Department of Social Work has been offering the Master of Social Sciences in Youth Counselling programme for 12 years. The programme has been restructured and retitled to Master of Social Sciences in Counselling since 2016 with the introduction of 2 specializations, namely (1) Youth counselling, and (2) Mental Health Counselling In 2024, our programme will include a new specialization in Generic Counselling. In total, we now offer three specializations within our programme.
The Master of Social Sciences in Counselling programme is a taught postgraduate programme deliberately designed for those working in education, social services, health services, religious services, personnel management, and others who are interested in counselling and working with people. The programme aims to develop students’ knowledge in understanding, analyzing and researching the changing needs of people and the social cultural contexts within which these individuals develop; and to equip students with selected counselling theories and practice skills, with narrative therapy in particular.
Characteristics:
- Running personal growth groups for Year I students (to be led by experienced counsellors)
- Offering elective courses: Narrative Therapy, Cognitive-behavioral Therapy, Family Therapy and Counselling Project
- Offering counselling practicum (80 direct counselling hours, practicum related supervisions and training workshops)
- Providing 3 specializations, namely (1) Youth counselling (2) Mental Health Counselling and (3) Generic counselling for students to select
Basic Structure
The Programme is delivered in 1-year full-time mode or 2-year part-time mode programme with courses normally offered on weekday evenings or Saturday morning/ afternoon. Students in this programme must complete a total of 30 units, that is, 4 core courses, 3 specialization courses and 1 elective course for Youth Counseling Specialization or Mental Health Specialization, or 4 elective course for Generic Counseling Specialization, and a 6-unit counselling practicum.
| Core Counselling Courses | 12 units |
| Counselling Specialization Courses | 9 units |
| Practicum | 6 units |
| Counselling Elective Courses | 3 units |
| TOTAL | 30 units |
| I | Core Counselling Courses | 12 units |
| SOWK7420 Theories in Counselling & Therapy | 3 units | |
| SOWK7450 Processes and Issues in Counselling | 3 units | |
| SOWK7410 Human Diversity & Cultural Differences | 3 units | |
| SOWK7040 Research & Programme Evaluation | 3 units |
| II | Counselling Specialization Courses (choose one of three specializations) | 9 Units |
|---|---|---|
| Youth Counselling Specialization (YC Specialization) | ||
| SOWK7170 Youth at the Margins: Theory & Practice | 3 units | |
| SOWK7430 Narrative Approach to Counselling | 3 units | |
| SOWK7440 Narrative Practice with Specific Youth Groups *Students in Youth Counseling Specialization have to choose either SOWK7120 or SOWK7110 to fulfill the requirement of HKPCA. | 3 units | |
| OR | ||
| Mental Health Counselling Specialization (MHC Specialization) | ||
| SOWK7120Child & Adolescent Mental Health | 3 units | |
| SOWK7510Cognitive-behavioral Therapy | 3 units | |
| SOWK7790Mental Health Counselling with Older People | 3 units | |
| OR | ||
| Generic Counselling Specialization (GC Specialization) Four elective courses* | 12 units | |
* The Generic Counseling Concentration/Specialization was approved by HKBU Senate in May 2024 and HKPCA in August 2024, respectively.
** Students in this concentration/Specialization have to choose either SOWK7120 or SOWK7110 to fulfill the requirement of HKPCA.
*** There is no concentration course in this concentration. Students in this concentration need take 4 core courses and 4 elective courses.
| III | Practicum | 6 units |
| Students require to undergo a total of 80 hours of practicum training and participate in training activities related to the practicum | ||
| IV | Counselling Elective Courses (choose one of these courses for Mental Health Counseling or Youth Counseling Specialization or choose four of these courses for Generic Counseling Specialization* ) | 3 or 12 units |
| SOWK7470 Counselling Project | 3 units | |
| SOWK7500 Family Therapy | 3 units | |
| SOWK7430 Narrative Approach to Counselling * for Mental Health Counselling Specialization only | 3 units | |
| SOWK7510 Cognitive-behavioral Therapy * for Youth Counselling and Generic Counseling Specialization only | 3 units | |
| SOWK7840 Data Methodology in Social Sciences Research | 3 units | |
| SOWK7890 Career Facilitation and Counseling | 3 units | |
| SOWK7110 Mental Health, Mental Disorder and Social Work | 3 units | |
| SOWK7120 Child & Adolescent Mental Health * for Youth Counselling and Generic Counseling Specializations only | 3 units | |
| SOWK7440 Narrative Practice with Specific Youth Groups * for Mental Health Counselling and Generic Counseling Specializations only | 3 units | |
| SOWK7170 Youth at the Margins: Theory & Practice * for Mental Health Counselling and Generic Counseling Specializations only | 3 units | |
| SOWK7790 Mental Health Counselling with Older People * for Youth Counselling and Generic Counseling Specializations only | 3 units | |
| SOWK 7910 Cognitve Behavior Therapy Skills Workshop (Prerequisite: SOWK7510 Cognitive Behavior Therapy) | 3 units |
**Students in Generic Counseling concentration/Specialization have to choose either SOWK7120 or SOWK7110 to fulfill the requirement of HKPCA.
The programme is designed for those working in education, social services, health services, religious services, personnel management, and other who are interested in counselling and working with people. Applicants seeking admission to the Master of Social Sciences in Counselling should:
- possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognized university or equivalent;
- preferably with relevant experience of working with people in related fields; and
- normally possess some background knowledge in psychology, human development, guidance, and/or related courses.
Appropriately qualified applicants will be interviewed to ensure their motivation and suitability for pursing training in counselling counselling.
Proof of English proficiency is required for all applicants whose Bachelor's degree is obtained from non-English medium institutions. These applicants must meet the following minimum requirements for English proficiency:
- an overall band score of 6.0 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS)*; or
- a score of 74 (internet-based test) in TOEFL*; or
- an equivalent score on a comparable test.
*Note: Test result provided should be within two years from the date of issuance of the Admission Offer letter. TOEFL iBT Home Edition or IELTS Indicator test is not accepted.
Programme brochure and application forms are available from:
Office of Graduate School
AAB904, Level 9,
Academic and Administration Building
15 Baptist University Road
Hong Kong Baptist University,
Kowloon Tong, Kowloon, Hong Kong