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Many postgraduate counselling courses are now offered online, allowing you to study flexibly and from the comfort of your own home. While this is appealing for many students, it isn’t the right option for everyone, and it can be tricky to decide between the two, especially if you have never studied online or are returning to education after a long break. To help you decide which is right for you, we have detailed everything you need to know about these two study methods in our brief guide today. 

Online Postgraduate Counselling Courses 

Online postgraduate counselling courses offer flexibility and the ability to work from anywhere. Many of the courses are offered part-time, allowing you to work on one unit at a time and tackle the content at your own pace without feeling overwhelmed. These courses are designed to fit in alongside your work and caring commitments, making them perfect for parents, carers, or anyone in employment. 

Typically, you will experience the following pros and cons when studying postgraduate counselling courses online:

Pros

• You study at your own pace - using pre-recorded materials and online resources that help you work at the right pace, taking breaks when needed, and enjoying flexibility 

• You have constant access to resources - with many online courses offering all of their resources from the first day, with 24/7 online access and the ability to download resources for studying offline 

• You can study flexibly - choosing when and where you study, fitting the course around any commitments you have 

• You get the same qualification - as you would studying in-person, so you aren't missing out on any key information or sacrificing on career goals by studying at home 

• You can save money, as many online postgraduate courses offer lower fees than in-person courses. You can usually pay per unit too, spreading the cost, with funding available depending on your financial situation 

Cons

• It can feel isolating - as there isn’t much interaction with other students, and you will need to actively take part in forums and discussion boards to speak to other students

• It can be difficult to motivate yourself - as you are in charge of your schedule and ensuring your work is completed on time, which requires a great deal of self-discipline and motivation 

• There isn’t much face-to-face time - which impacts some students' ability to get the support they need from professors, especially when assignments are due 

In-Person Postgraduate Counselling Courses 

In-person is the traditional method to study for postgraduate counselling courses, where you will travel to campus for classes with your professors and other students. In-person courses are often offered full-time, allowing you to gain your qualification more quickly than online courses, which can help you progress in your career. In-person courses also allow you to interact with other students, supporting collaborative learning, which can be highly beneficial. 

In-person courses aren’t for everyone, though, and they usually come with higher course fees and longer commute times. We have detailed the common pros and cons associated with in-person postgraduate courses below: 

Pros

• You can speak to professors face-to-face - which can make it easier to access support, ask questions about the material, and discuss the course when needed 

• You will engage with other students - through collaborations, discussions, and social interactions, which can help you better understand the content and make friends 

• You gain essential skills - including time management, self-motivation, and self-discipline as you commute to classes and fit studying in around commitments

• You can complete the course faster - than online courses, especially if you opt for full-time routes 

• There can be less distractions - as you are working in environments designed for studying (classrooms and libraries), which help you to focus and complete your work faster 

Cons 

• You can spend hours commuting - depending on the course you choose, impacting your studying time and lifestyle 

• You can spend more - as in-person courses typically cost more than online courses. You will also spend more on resources, as in-person courses require you to buy textbooks, pay for your commute to classes, and any food and drink you need while on campus

• You can get distracted - by other students, which can add to the time it takes to complete assignments, and you might miss important information during classes 

Online or In-Person Counselling Courses - Which Option is Right for You? 

To decide whether online or in-person counselling courses are right for you, consider how you prefer to study and your lifestyle. If social interaction is important to you and your learning methods, in-person is best. If you need flexibility and prefer to work independently at times that suit you best, then online courses are a better option. When choosing online postgraduate counselling courses, we recommend checking out the University of Canberra, who offer a wide range of online counselling courses that allow you to take the next step in your career. Check out their postgraduate counselling courses to find your next course today.