• The initiative to enhance the training of school counsellors will ensure there are sufficient well-trained practitioners to meet students’ needs in metropolitan and rural and remote NSW public schools
• The new programs will make a major difference to the expansion of the counselling workforce in schools in NSW
• Charles Sturt University is a leader in the delivery of high quality psychological studies to undergraduate and postgraduate students

Course Director–Professional Programs in the Charles Sturt School of Psychology Associate Professor Tim Hannan (pictured) said, “The purpose of the new course is to equip teachers with the applied psychology skills to work as school counsellors with children and young people in schools.

“The Master of Psychological Practice (School Psychology) is a two-year course that delivers graduates an integrated program of psychological studies at fourth- and fifth-year levels, with a specialisation in school counselling.”

Professor Hannan said, “The Department of Education has significantly expanded the school counselling workforce in recent years, in recognition of the increasing need for suitably qualified staff to support the mental health and wellbeing of students throughout the state.

“The initiative to enhance the training of school counsellors will ensure there are sufficient well-trained practitioners to meet the needs of students in both metropolitan and rural and remote NSW public schools.”

Charles Sturt is well placed to deliver the new program, being a leader in the delivery of high quality psychological studies to undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Currently, the Charles Sturt School of Psychology offers a suite of undergraduate and postgraduate programs both on campus and online, which permit students to gain or upgrade their qualifications at each level of study.

Professor Tracey Green said, “These new programs will make a major difference to the expansion of the school counselling workforce in NSW, and Charles Sturt is delighted to have been selected to deliver these innovative and important courses.”