- Level
- Master Degree
- Duration
- 2 Years (includes practicum)
- Open intake
-
Off-shoreSep 2027
- Field
- Mental Health and Counseling
- Institution
- Private University
- Offer speed
- Fast Offer Speed5–7 days
- Next deadline
- 2026-09-01
Program overview
This two year master’s degree trains counsellors through counselling theory and technique, assessment and diagnosis, group and family counselling, ethics, multicultural counselling and research methods, with a supervised clinical practicum recorded inside the two year structure.
The thesis stream requires an original supervised research project. It suits candidates who intend to continue to doctoral study or to work in research informed clinical settings, and it is the more academically demanding of the two counselling psychology routes Adler offers in Vancouver.
Practicum is where this degree is made. Students carry a supervised caseload in community agencies, counselling centres or health services, accumulating the direct client hours that professional registration later requires. Placement performance matters as much as coursework grades in this field.
IRCC lists Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology among the Adler degrees that qualify for a Post Graduation Work Permit, and master’s level programs are exempt from the field of study requirement, so no CIP verification applies. As a two year degree it can support a work permit of up to three years, subject to IRCC assessment.
The portal export records entry at a three year bachelor’s degree with 80 percent, IELTS 7.0 overall with no band below 6.5, and no GRE or GMAT. Adler’s published Vancouver tuition for 2026 to 2027 is CAD 43,645 in year one and CAD 29,928 in year two, which makes this one of the more expensive routes in the catalogue.
Applicants should plan the registration pathway before they plan the degree. Practising as a counsellor in British Columbia involves professional registration with supervised clinical hours accumulated during and after the program, and the requirements differ between provinces and between regulatory bodies. Students who confirm their target registration route at the outset choose their practicum placements deliberately, which is the single strongest predictor of a smooth transition from graduation to practice in this field.
What it costs per year · indicative
Living cost is an estimate; tuition is the institute's published international fee. We confirm exact, current figures before you pay anything.
Do you qualify?
These are the published minimums. Whether your profile fits — with your marks, gap and budget — is exactly what a free counsellor check confirms.
Admission requirements
Who can apply (guide for international students):
- Education: 3-Year Bachelor’s Degree with a minimum of 80 percent, per the portal export. A course by course credential evaluation is normally required.
- English (meet any one, per source): IELTS Academic 7 overall with no band below 6.5; TOEFL iBT 92 total with no section below 22; PTE Academic 62 overall; Duolingo English Test is recorded as not accepted for this program.
- English waiver: No English proficiency exam waiver is offered for this institution per the ASV source.
- Also required: Statement of intent, resume or CV, letters of recommendation and transcripts from all institutions attended, per Adler University admissions.
- Tests: No GRE or GMAT required. Application fee CAD 30 per the portal export; Adler publishes the fee as 30 dollars, so confirm the currency at application.
- Work permit: IRCC lists Master of Arts in Counselling Psychology among the Adler University degrees whose graduates qualify for a Post Graduation Work Permit. Degree level programs are exempt from the field of study requirement, so no CIP code applies. IRCC makes the final decision.
- Spouse: Master’s programs of 16 months or longer and doctoral programs are the categories that remain eligible for a spousal open work permit under the rules in force since January 2025. Adler is a private degree granting institution, so confirm the current position with IRCC before relying on it.
- Study permit: Adler University DLI number O19394452198, to be confirmed against the letter of acceptance.
English requirements
Documents you'll need typical · we confirm yours
- Valid passport (6+ months validity)
- Class 10 & 12 marksheets and certificates
- Bachelor's degree marksheets & final certificate
- English test scorecard (IELTS / PTE / TOEFL) or MOI certificate
- Statement of Purpose (SOP)
- Letters of Recommendation (LOR)
- Updated CV / resume
- Financial proof — bank statement / loan sanction + GIC
- Passport-size photographs
- Study-gap affidavit or work-experience letter (if applicable)
Getting documents right is the #1 reason applications succeed or get refused — our team checks every file before submission.
Career opportunities
Typical destinations for graduates:
- Registered Clinical Counsellor: after meeting BC registration requirements
- Mental Health Clinician: community agencies and health authorities
- Private Practice Therapist: independent counselling practice
- Employee Assistance Counsellor: workplace mental health services
- Doctoral Study: the thesis stream prepares candidates for PhD entry
- Clinical Supervisor: with post registration experience
Reality check: counselling is a regulated field in British Columbia, and registration with the relevant professional body after graduation, not the degree itself, is what allows independent practice.
About Adler University
- Type
- University
- Ownership
- Private
- Rating
- ★ 4.4
- World rank
- #14556
- Established
- 2005
- Reference No.
- O19394452198
