BACHELOR IN COUNSELING AND GUIDANCE (HONOURS)

About the Course

A career in counselling revolves around guiding and encouraging individuals to manage changes in their lives in accomplishing mental health, wellness, career and personal goals. The curriculum of the MSU honours degree programme in counselling and guidance factors the realities of local culture and moral values in helping relationships, equipping you for multicultural counselling, drug abuse counselling, and industrial counselling. The emphasis given to your formative and summative assessments and regular feedback from your lecturers will ensure that you have a sound foundation in this discipline. The two practicum experiences in this programme are focused on giving you the most exposure in counselling in various environments ranging from schools to hospitals and organizations.

Duration
4 years

Credit Hours
120

Courses Offered

Year One

• Social Psychology
• Principles and Techniques in Counselling
• Child Psychology
• Introduction to Helping Skills
• Thinking Skills
• Adolescent Psychology
• Growth and Human Development
• Group Leadership
• Personality Theories
• Helping Skills 1
• Ethnic Relations / Malaysian Studies 3
• Islamic Studies / Moral Education

Year Two

• Psychological Testing in Counselling
• Issues and Ethics in Counseling
• Statistics in Counselling
• Theories in Counselling and Psychotherapy
• Helping Skills 2
• Assessment and Observation in Counselling
• Helping Skills for Diverse Settings
• Counselling Laboratory 1
• Research Methods in Counseling
• Community Service
• Career Development
• Islamic Civilization and Civilization Asia / Malay Language Communication 2

Year Three

• Group Counselling
• Drug Abuse Counselling
• Career Counseling
• Family Counselling
• Counselling Laboratory 2
• Multicultural Counseling
• Industrial Counselling
• Research Project in Counselling
• Business Communication
• Entrepreneurship
• English for Occupational Purposes

Year Four

• Practicum
• Internship

Career Prospects

• Counsellor
• Welfare or Social Services Officer
• Marriage and Family Therapist
• Rehabilitation Therapist

Entry Requirements

Renewal Approval Letter: JPT / BPP (U) 1000-801 / 33 / Jld.27 (1) dated 30 April 2017

1. Pass STPM with at least:
   • Grade C in three (3) subjects including Pengajian Am / Kertas Am; or
   • Grade C in two (2) subjects including Pengajian Am / Kertas Am and two (2) other subjects with grade D
2. Pass A-Level with at least Grade C (CGPA 2.00) in two (2) subjects;
   AND pass in Mathematics and Science at SPM level
3. Pass South Australian Matriculation (SAM) with at least a score of 65–70%;
   AND pass Mathematics and English at SPM level
4. Pass Canadian Pre-University (CPU) with a minimum score of 80%
5. Pass STAM ranked Jayyid
6. Pass UEC with at least grade B in five (5) subjects
7. Pass Matriculation / Foundation / Pre-University Programme from any IPTA/IPTS/other institution offering a foundation program with a CGPA of 2.00
8. Pass Diploma with a minimum CGPA of 2.00
9. Any other qualifications recognized as equivalent

STUDENT PASS / VISA REQUIREMENTS (INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS)

All international students who plan to study full-time in Malaysia are required to obtain a Student Pass (Student Visa) before starting their studies.

• You must receive an official Offer Letter from the university before applying for a student pass

• The university will submit your Student Pass application through Education Malaysia Global Services (EMGS) on your behalf

• A Visa Approval Letter (VAL / eVAL) is required before travelling to Malaysia

• Studying on a tourist or social visit visa is not permitted

• Your passport must be valid for at least 18 months from your intended intake date

• Visa processing time depends on EMGS and Malaysian Immigration approval

• After arriving in Malaysia, all students must complete a medical check-up at an EMGS-registered clinic

• Your Student Pass will be issued only after medical clearance and document verification

• Continuing students must renew their Student Pass before it expires

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR STUDENT PASS APPLICATION

The following documents are commonly required for all international students:

• Valid passport (clear scanned copy of all pages, including blank pages)

• Passport-size photograph with a white background

• Official Offer Letter from the university

• Academic certificates and transcripts related to your programme

• English language proficiency certificate (IELTS / TOEFL or equivalent), if required

• Proof of acceptance or tuition fee payment (if requested by the university)

• Student Pass / Visa processing fee as determined by EMGS

• Completed EMGS Health Declaration Form (if applicable)

Please note: All documents not originally in English must be submitted together with certified English translations.

ADDITIONAL DOCUMENTS (IF APPLICABLE)

Some students may be asked to provide extra documents depending on their situation:

• Release Letter and Visa Cancellation Letter (for students transferring from another institution in Malaysia)

• School Leaving Certificate (for foundation or diploma applicants)

• Sponsorship or Scholarship Letter (if your studies are funded)

• Proof of financial support to cover tuition fees and living expenses

• Statutory Declaration (if there are name differences across documents)

• Resume or Character Reference Letter (commonly required for applicants above 23 years old)

• Police Clearance Certificate (if requested by EMGS or embassy authorities)

• Copy of previous Malaysian visa or Resident Pass (if applicable)

AFTER ARRIVING IN MALAYSIA

Once you arrive in Malaysia, you will need to:

• Complete a medical examination at an EMGS-approved clinic

• Submit your passport for Student Pass endorsement

• Receive a temporary Special Pass (if applicable) while your Student Pass is being processed

• Collect your Student Pass and complete university registration

IMPORTANT REMINDERS

• Student Pass requirements are set by Malaysian Immigration and EMGS and may vary by nationality
• The university’s International Office will guide you through each step of the process
• Students are strongly advised to prepare documents at least 2–3 months before intake
• Requirements may change, so always follow the latest instructions provided by the university