Master of Arts in Contemplative Counselling (MACC)

Integrating Bhutan’s contemplative wisdom with contemporary counselling and psychotherapy to prepare reflective, ethical, and professionally competent counsellors for Bhutan and beyond.

  1. Programme Overview

The Master of Arts in Contemplative Counselling (MACC) is a pioneering postgraduate programme offered by Samtse College of Education, Royal University of Bhutan. As Bhutan’s first master’s programme in contemplative counselling, it offers a distinctive approach to counsellor education by integrating Buddhist contemplative wisdom with contemporary counselling and psychotherapy. The programme prepares counsellors who are professionally competent, culturally responsive, ethically grounded, and committed to promoting mental health and well-being.

Designed to address the growing demand for highly qualified counselling professionals, the programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge, clinical competence, research capability, and leadership skills to support individuals, families, schools, organisations, and communities.

  1. What Makes the MACC Unique?

Buddhist-Informed Contemplative Foundation
Cultivate self-awareness, compassion, emotional resilience, ethical integrity, and therapeutic presence through contemplative practices inspired by Bhutan’s Buddhist contemplative traditions.

Integrative Counselling Approach
Develop the ability to integrate contemporary counselling and psychotherapy approaches, enabling flexible, evidence-informed, and culturally responsive practice.

Pluralistic Philosophy of Practice
Learn to work collaboratively with clients by recognising their unique goals, values, cultures, and preferences, and adapting counselling approaches to meet individual needs.

Three Complementary Modes of Learning

  • First-Person Inquiry – Knowing Yourself
    Develop self-awareness through meditation, reflective practice, contemplative inquiry, and guided self-observation.
  • Second-Person Inquiry – Learning Through Relationship
    Strengthen therapeutic presence, communication, empathy, and professional judgement through supervision, dialogue, counselling practice, and peer learning.
  • Third-Person Inquiry – Building Professional Expertise
    Build advanced clinical reasoning through counselling theory, psychotherapy, ethics, research, and evidence-informed practice.

Together, these complementary modes of learning integrate personal growth, professional competence, and academic scholarship throughout the programme.

  1. Duration

The MACC is an 18-month full-time postgraduate programme comprising 180 credits (1,800 notional learning hours).

The curriculum consists of nine taught modules (15 credits each) and a 45-credit Research Dissertation, providing a progressive pathway from advanced theoretical learning to supervised professional practice and independent research.

  1. Programme Outcomes

Graduates of the MACC programme will demonstrate advanced capabilities across four interconnected domains.

Knowledge

Develop advanced knowledge of counselling and psychotherapy theories, contemplative approaches, ethics, culture, human development, and research to inform professional counselling practice.

Skills

Demonstrate advanced competencies in therapeutic relationship building, counselling interventions, assessment, case conceptualisation, and evidence-informed decision-making.

Professional Practice

Practise ethically and professionally with therapeutic presence, cultural responsiveness, reflective judgement, and a commitment to lifelong learning.

Research

Conduct independent research that contributes to counselling knowledge and evidence-informed practice through critical inquiry and scholarly communication.

  1. Why Choose the MACC Programme?

The MACC offers a distinctive learning experience that combines contemplative wisdom, professional practice, and academic excellence to prepare reflective, ethical, and competent counselling professionals.

Professionally Relevant and Nationally Aligned

The programme is aligned with the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA) professional standards and field experience requirements, ensuring graduates are well prepared for nationally recognised professional counselling practice while contributing to the continued development of the counselling profession in Bhutan.

Contemplative Retreat

Participate in an immersive residential retreat that deepens self-awareness, reflective practice, emotional resilience, and therapeutic presence through meditation, dialogue, and experiential learning.

Extensive Supervised Professional Practice

Complete two progressive counselling internships through the Samtse College Contemplative Counselling Training Unit, supported by experienced supervisors through individual, group, and peer supervision. Students progressively develop professional competence, confidence, and identity in authentic counselling settings.

Research that Matters

Undertake an independent dissertation that addresses contemporary counselling and mental health issues while contributing to culturally responsive and evidence-informed practice.

  1. Programme Delivery and Support

The MACC adopts a learner-centred approach grounded in contemplative pedagogy and experiential learning.

Students learn through an integrated combination of contemplative practice, supervised counselling, professional dialogue, experiential learning, and research. Throughout the programme, they receive academic guidance, professional supervision, research mentoring, and access to high-quality learning resources that support both personal development and professional competence.

 

  1. Programme Structure
Year Sem Module Module Module Module

1

I

 COT505 Contemplative Approaches to Counselling COS504 Advanced Contemplative Counselling Skills COS505 Assessment and Case Formulation RES503 Educational Research Methods
 

II

 COS506 Counselling Internship I

 

 PPC501 Ethics and Professional Practice COS507 Contemplative Counselling Methods RES605 Research Dissertation

2

I

 COS608 Counselling Internship 2 PPC602 Working with Diverse Populations RES605 Research Dissertation

 

 

  1. How to Apply

Applications for the MACC programme are announced annually through the Ministry of Education and Skills Development (MoESD) and Samtse College of Education (SCE) websites before the commencement of the academic year.

Applications are submitted online. Detailed information on eligibility requirements, application procedures, important dates, and admission timelines is available through the MoESD and  (SCE) website.

For Self-financed candidates, application announcement will also be published on the Samtse College of Education (SCE) websites.

  1. ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Academic Qualification: Hold a Postgraduate Diploma in Contemplative Counselling and Psychology (PgDCCP), a Postgraduate Diploma in Guidance and Counselling (PgDGC), or an equivalent postgraduate diploma in Counselling, Psychology, Social Work, or a closely related discipline recognised by the Bhutan Qualifications and Professionals Certification Authority (BQPCA).

Academic Performance: Minimum aggregate score of 60%, including at least 60% in the subject of specialisation.

  1. Contact: For more information, please contact:

Mr. Kuenzang Gyeltshen
Dean of Academic Affairs
Email: daa.sce@rub.edu.bt
Phone: +975-05-365397

OR

Dr. Dechen Doma

Programme Leader

Email: ddoma.sce@rub.edu.bt