Programme highlights
Do friends and family turn to you for help?
Turn your passion for supporting the people you care about into a rewarding career as a counsellor.
Study counselling with MIT and you’ll learn how to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives and your community.
It doesn’t matter if you’re coming straight from school, changing careers or returning to the workforce, you can study our Bachelor of Applied Counselling (Level 7).
This programme is offered via a blended delivery model which is made up of online learning, compulsory week-long workshop attendance and a practicum component.
To find out more about what practicum entails for both our learners and placement providers, click here.
If you are Māori or Pasifika, find out how you could be supported on your MIT journey with Te Ara Oranga.
WOT Weeks
The Bachelor of Applied Counselling programme is offered as a blended delivery programme made up of self-directed learning, online tutorials and attendance at four compulsory Wananga-Onsite-Talanoa (WOT) Weeks (per year for full-time students) and a practicum component (levels 6 and 7). Modules for self-directed learning start from the first week of each semester. WOT Weeks are the block courses you are required to attend in-person on campus. Download the full 2025 WOT Week Schedule (PDF, 294KB).
IT requirements
To complete this degree you will need to have access to a computer and the internet to retrieve course materials, undertake assessments and to participate in the courses online activities.
Please note: Although the Government vaccine mandate for health and disability workers ended on 11:59pm 26 September 2022, some employers can still require workers to be vaccinated due to their responsibilities under the Health and Safety at Work Act. Placement is a compulsory component of MIT’s healthcare programmes. To go on placement in this sector, students will need to be fully vaccinated and provide proof of vaccination to MIT. Students that hold a medical exemption that prevents them from being vaccinated are permitted to work in the healthcare sector, but will have limited placement opportunities in that sector. Students that are not vaccinated, or that do not wish to share their vaccination status with MIT, may not be able to go on placement in the healthcare sector. If you hold a medical exemption, or if you are unable or unwilling to provide proof of vaccination to MIT, your placement opportunities will accordingly be limited and MIT cannot guarantee availability with placement providers. If this applies to you, we encourage you to contact us to discuss your options.
Entry requirements
All applicants must provide two character references attesting the candidate’s suitability for working as a counsellor; and
All applicants are required to declare whether they have been convicted of, or are being prosecuted for, a criminal offence. The Police Vetting Process will reveal all criminal convictions.
Students will be advised of the following:
Please be aware that if you are going to be working with children, in certain circumstances some specified offences are not permitted, pursuant to the Vulnerable Children Act 2014. We recommend that you fully disclose all convictions to MIT prior to enrolment, so that we can discuss the potential implications on your eligibility to participate fully in your course of studies, including the practicum and your likely eligibility/suitability for employment once you graduate; and
Applicants may be required to provide a health declaration that they are emotionally, mentally and physically capable of undertaking the demands of the counselling programme as required in the New Zealand Association of Counsellors (NZAC) Code of Ethics (revised 2016 ) (see http://www.nzac.org.nz/code_of_ethics.cfm). Further reports may be requested with the consent of the Applicant.
Applicants must meet the following criteria for admission into the programme
- NCEA Level 3 University Entrance or equivalent:
- Three subjects – at Level 3, made up of:
- 14 credits each, from three approved subjects;
- Literacy – 10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of:
- 5 Credits in reading;
- 5 credits in writing
- Numeracy – 10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of;
- Achievement standards – specified achievement standards available through a range of subjects; or
- Unit standards – package of three numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626, 26627 – all three required)
OR
- Successfully completed a minimum of 60 credits at level 4 in the areas of Social Science, Health Sciences or Education e.g. New Zealand Certificate in Health and Wellbeing Level 4 (Strands in Social Services, Mental Health and Addiction Support, Community Health Work).
- Three subjects – at Level 3, made up of:
Applicants, 20 years of ages and over ideally will meet the minimum requirements. Applicants who do not meet the minimum requirement, but feel that they have the skills or experience to be successful in this.
English language entry requirements
Applicants must have sufficient competence in the English language to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English.
Any Applicant whose first language is not English may be required to provide evidence of their English language competency as follows:
Have English language competence to undertake this programme which is taught and assessed in English. Any applicant whose first language is not English will be required to provide evidence of an-overall IELTS (Academic) band score of 6.5 (with no score below 6.5) or equivalent achieved within the preceding 2 years.
This will be demonstrated by meeting the current NZQA requirements. For the minimum English language requirements refer to the following website http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqa-rules/nzqf-related-rules/programme-approval-and-accreditation/app-2/the-table/ and http://www.nzqa.govt.nz/about-us/our-role/legislation/nzqa-rules/nzqf-related-rules/programme-approval-and-accreditation/8/18/
Regulatory requirements
Not applicable.
Interviews
In accordance with NZAC’s criteria for the selection of counselling personnel, all applicants will be interviewed to determine personal, academic and professional readiness to study professional counselling.
Special & discretionary admission
Any ākonga who is 20 years of age or older and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme is eligible for Special Admission. Te Pūkenga works with the ākonga to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. Any ākonga who is not yet 20 years of age and has not reached the general admission requirements for their intended programme may be eligible for Discretionary Admission. In assessing whether to grant Discretionary Admission, the delegated authority focuses on the applicant’s level of preparedness for their intended programme.
Give yourself credit with Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Did you know you can use the knowledge and experience you already have to your advantage?
Your previous work experience and on-the-job skills, volunteering, professional development, and other providers’ qualifications can be recognised as prior learning, matched against credits in our courses, and put towards your qualification – potentially saving you money and possibly helping you to complete your qualification faster Learn more.
Programme structure
You will need to complete the below 21 courses (360 credits):
Level 5
Level 6
Level 7
Do you want to study a single course, without enrolling into the full programme?
Courses within some of our programmes may be offered as an individual Certificate of Proficiency (COP). Programme entry requirements and course fees apply. For more information, please speak to our friendly Ask Me! team.
Career opportunities
Counselling individuals, families and groups in the community.
Counsellors may have clients in mental health services, aged care, child protection, disability services, schools, prisons, hospitals, religious groups and in any other relevant community service. For potential salaries visit careers.govt.nz.
See why more people choose Counselling and mental health at MIT
MIT is the quality choice. Study health or counselling and graduate work-ready.
“If you’re considering it – just go for it.”
“Before studying I was a secondary school student at Rosehill College. I had heard a lot about MIT, and everyone seemed so happy and excited about studying there. After I had enrolled, I went to the orientation which was very informative, and they talked a lot about the support they provide which made me feel relieved to start studying at MIT.
I really enjoy how friendly the people and staff are. The support I get at MIT is really unique and there are multiple different support people you can ask for help from. The work can sometimes be challenging but to overcome this I just email my lecturer questions or anything I need help with, and they make it really clear to understand. I manage to fit in at least an hour of studying a day to keep up with my course so that I can also make time for myself and my family.
Once I finish my programme in health and wellbeing I’m planning to pursue my goal of becoming a psychologist. I’ve had a passion for the health field ever since I was a child. I wanted to become a doctor but as I grew older, I decided I wanted to become a psychologist and I figured that this mental health course would be the best one to help me get started.
If you’re considering it – just go for it. It doesn’t take long to apply, and the field is very informative and helpful and influences everyday life.”
Brooke Harper
MIT student
“What I really appreciate about MIT is the work, life, study balance.”
“I chose counselling to support myself, to support my whanau, to support my iwi and my hapu and to support the community.
Prior to studying, I worked in the business sector as an education specialist, providing asset leasing solutions to the school sector. Alongside that, I was learning and practising Māori healing. I’m also a mentor for wāhine Māori. It was a natural progression for me to then step into counselling to add knowledge to my kete to tautoko Māori.
We have a mix of theory and practical and as an adult learner, I’ve had a long history of working in the sector. That’s a preferable way for me to learn.
I chose to come here because its diverse, diverse cultures. I’m very happy that we have indigenous lecturers. And the classes are supportive.
What I really appreciate about MIT is the work, life, and study balance. So, in addition to this, I work part-time as a kaiāwhina, a support worker. We can make it work around our lifestyles. The advice that I’d give to someone studying at MIT is to make sure it’s something that you love to do. That you absolutely love what you do, and you’re just going to have the time of your life. There will be challenges, but because it’s something that you love to do, you’ll have the courage to move through those challenges.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui. Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.”
Romaiye Lowen
MIT student
“I’ve not struck this level of openness in any other training institute.”
“I identified a need when I went looking for support for my own family. At the time I was looking for a direction and it struck me that I can do that, and I can do that well!
The flexibility is the best part for me. I wanted to study somewhere where I had the freedom to study when and where it suited me and the flexibility to work around my busy family life. MIT works brilliantly into my lifestyle as a busy mother of 3 kids, all with additional needs. Classes are always recorded, which means if I cannot attend them, I do not miss out. And lecturers are always contactable for questions or support.
I have a lot of chronic health issues that I have had to work around and figure out a way to study with. MIT has been brilliant in helping me to navigate this, doing everything they can to help.
I really enjoy the focus on diversity. It makes sense in a society that is multicultural and extremely diverse to educate students who will be working with these people about the nature of their diversity. I’ve not struck this level of openness in any other training institute.
I started my placement this semester and it was an amazing opportunity to transfer the incredible skills I have learned from my tutors into the real world and get a feel for what the industry looks like from the ground. I believe these placements are incredibly important to create well-rounded and prepared counsellors post-graduation.
This is a high-need career in New Zealand. Only good things can come of having more excellently trained counsellors, so if you are interested in this as a career, I would urge you to really consider it – not only for yourself but for the greater good.
When I finish studying I want to work counselling young gender-diverse kids (12 and under) and their families.”
Kerry-Lee Bray
MIT student
“I wanted to be working in a job that made a difference to peoples’ lives in a meaningful way.”
“I’ve chosen to study health and wellbeing at MIT as at this stage in my life I wanted to be working in a job that made a difference to peoples’ lives in a meaningful way. After some time to reflect and evaluate what was involved with a healthcare assistant role it felt like a good fit for me.
The programme is delivered at MIT Manukau and it’s a pretty cool campus with wonderful helpful staff. I really enjoy its familiar and family kind of atmosphere. All the students and staff have been so friendly and welcoming.
I really appreciate that as an older student coming into this course it was a little daunting at first, as I had left school at 15 without even school certificate as it was back in those days. So any kind of study was a bit of a learning curve.
I have had some amazingly kind peers in my class who have been kind enough to give me some guiding help with using various technology, tools and apps. MIT also has lots of help available for anyone needing to increase those skills.
My goal is to work in end of life care as a healthcare assistant or in an associated way. When I finish the course, I intend to work in a hospital for 6-12 months to get wide scope of experience and become effective as a HCA. Perhaps while I am working in this role another path might become clear for me in following my ultimate goal of palliative care.”
Duncan
MIT graduate
“Make a difference in your community.”
“If making a difference in your community is something you want to achieve then a career in health is a career for you. As a Samoan one of the core values I was taught growing up is tautua which means service. So serving our parents our families our elders and our community. That was one of the main reasons I decided I wanted to study health.”
Tino Tevaga
MIT graduate
MIT is the quality choice. Study health or counselling and graduate work-ready.
“If you’re considering it – just go for it.”
“Before studying I was a secondary school student at Rosehill College. I had heard a lot about MIT, and everyone seemed so happy and excited about studying there. After I had enrolled, I went to the orientation which was very informative, and they talked a lot about the support they provide which made me feel relieved to start studying at MIT.
I really enjoy how friendly the people and staff are. The support I get at MIT is really unique and there are multiple different support people you can ask for help from. The work can sometimes be challenging but to overcome this I just email my lecturer questions or anything I need help with, and they make it really clear to understand. I manage to fit in at least an hour of studying a day to keep up with my course so that I can also make time for myself and my family.
Once I finish my programme in health and wellbeing I’m planning to pursue my goal of becoming a psychologist. I’ve had a passion for the health field ever since I was a child. I wanted to become a doctor but as I grew older, I decided I wanted to become a psychologist and I figured that this mental health course would be the best one to help me get started.
If you’re considering it – just go for it. It doesn’t take long to apply, and the field is very informative and helpful and influences everyday life.”
Brooke Harper
MIT student
“What I really appreciate about MIT is the work, life, study balance.”
“I chose counselling to support myself, to support my whanau, to support my iwi and my hapu and to support the community.
Prior to studying, I worked in the business sector as an education specialist, providing asset leasing solutions to the school sector. Alongside that, I was learning and practising Māori healing. I’m also a mentor for wāhine Māori. It was a natural progression for me to then step into counselling to add knowledge to my kete to tautoko Māori.
We have a mix of theory and practical and as an adult learner, I’ve had a long history of working in the sector. That’s a preferable way for me to learn.
I chose to come here because its diverse, diverse cultures. I’m very happy that we have indigenous lecturers. And the classes are supportive.
What I really appreciate about MIT is the work, life, and study balance. So, in addition to this, I work part-time as a kaiāwhina, a support worker. We can make it work around our lifestyles. The advice that I’d give to someone studying at MIT is to make sure it’s something that you love to do. That you absolutely love what you do, and you’re just going to have the time of your life. There will be challenges, but because it’s something that you love to do, you’ll have the courage to move through those challenges.
Kia kaha, kia māia, kia manawanui. Be strong, be brave, be steadfast.”
Romaiye Lowen
MIT student
“I’ve not struck this level of openness in any other training institute.”
“I identified a need when I went looking for support for my own family. At the time I was looking for a direction and it struck me that I can do that, and I can do that well!
The flexibility is the best part for me. I wanted to study somewhere where I had the freedom to study when and where it suited me and the flexibility to work around my busy family life. MIT works brilliantly into my lifestyle as a busy mother of 3 kids, all with additional needs. Classes are always recorded, which means if I cannot attend them, I do not miss out. And lecturers are always contactable for questions or support.
I have a lot of chronic health issues that I have had to work around and figure out a way to study with. MIT has been brilliant in helping me to navigate this, doing everything they can to help.
I really enjoy the focus on diversity. It makes sense in a society that is multicultural and extremely diverse to educate students who will be working with these people about the nature of their diversity. I’ve not struck this level of openness in any other training institute.
I started my placement this semester and it was an amazing opportunity to transfer the incredible skills I have learned from my tutors into the real world and get a feel for what the industry looks like from the ground. I believe these placements are incredibly important to create well-rounded and prepared counsellors post-graduation.
This is a high-need career in New Zealand. Only good things can come of having more excellently trained counsellors, so if you are interested in this as a career, I would urge you to really consider it – not only for yourself but for the greater good.
When I finish studying I want to work counselling young gender-diverse kids (12 and under) and their families.”
Kerry-Lee Bray
MIT student
“I wanted to be working in a job that made a difference to peoples’ lives in a meaningful way.”
“I’ve chosen to study health and wellbeing at MIT as at this stage in my life I wanted to be working in a job that made a difference to peoples’ lives in a meaningful way. After some time to reflect and evaluate what was involved with a healthcare assistant role it felt like a good fit for me.
The programme is delivered at MIT Manukau and it’s a pretty cool campus with wonderful helpful staff. I really enjoy its familiar and family kind of atmosphere. All the students and staff have been so friendly and welcoming.
I really appreciate that as an older student coming into this course it was a little daunting at first, as I had left school at 15 without even school certificate as it was back in those days. So any kind of study was a bit of a learning curve.
I have had some amazingly kind peers in my class who have been kind enough to give me some guiding help with using various technology, tools and apps. MIT also has lots of help available for anyone needing to increase those skills.
My goal is to work in end of life care as a healthcare assistant or in an associated way. When I finish the course, I intend to work in a hospital for 6-12 months to get wide scope of experience and become effective as a HCA. Perhaps while I am working in this role another path might become clear for me in following my ultimate goal of palliative care.”
Duncan
MIT graduate
“Make a difference in your community.”
“If making a difference in your community is something you want to achieve then a career in health is a career for you. As a Samoan one of the core values I was taught growing up is tautua which means service. So serving our parents our families our elders and our community. That was one of the main reasons I decided I wanted to study health.”
Tino Tevaga
MIT graduate
