Career Pathways and Course Recognition
Which qualifications lead where, and how institutes have their counselling programmes recognised by SAC.
From Student to Supervisor.
Counselling in Singapore has a defined progression. Each stage adds supervised hours, responsibility and recognition.
1. Study
Complete a postgraduate counselling programme on the SAC Recognised list, or an equivalent programme. Recognised programmes offer at least 100 hours of practicum with 10 hours of clinical supervision. Join SAC as a Student Member while you train.
2. Practise Under Supervision
Move to Provisional Clinical membership and build toward 600 postgraduate clinical hours and 60 supervision hours, with a declaration of intent to register within three years.
3. Register
Apply for Registered Counsellor status once your hours are met and Professional Indemnity Insurance is in force.
4. Specialise
Deepen practice in a field: family, school, trauma, addictions, workplace, through sub-committees and advanced training.
5. Supervise and Teach
Complete supervision training and apply for Registered Clinical Supervisor status. Many members also move into teaching and course design.
Course Recognition
Providers of counsellor education and training programmes may apply to the SAC Counsellors’ Education Board to be placed on the list of Recognised Training Providers. Submission is voluntary, and recognition is granted to a specific programme rather than to an institution as a whole.
The CEB conducts periodic review of postgraduate counselling programmes delivered in Singapore. Since the manual was revised in February 2021, recognition periods vary by programme instead of running to a fixed two-year term.
Completed document sets go to counsellorseducation@sacsingapore.org.
What a Submission Must Contain
Set out in the Course Recognition Manual, in this order.
Cover sheet
Contents
Historical background
Aims of the course
Course structure
Detailed syllabus of each module
Specific elements of counsellor training
Full resumes of the staff
Other aspects of the course
Appendices
Conclusion
Each recognised programme must offer a minimum of 100 hours of practicum with 10 hours of clinical supervision.
Which Courses Lead to Registration.
SAC publishes the current list of Recognised Training Providers. Applications are not limited to these programmes. A qualification assessed as equivalent may also be considered.
Registration as a Registered Counsellor carries further requirements beyond the qualification itself. The full criteria and the documents to submit are set out on Becoming a Registered Counsellor.
15 postgraduate programmes across 14 providers, current as of 2 February 2026
19 programmes whose recognition period has ended
How institutes apply, and what a submission must contain
Fee categories, advertising rates and the application process
Processing of all new course recognition applications is temporarily on hold, pending a review of the requirements. Applications for re-recognition continue as usual. Further information will be shared in 2026.
Where SAC Members Practise
SAC members practise across the counselling landscape in Singapore:
- Social service agencies
- Institutes of Higher Learning
- Schools
- Prisons
- Eldercare
- Healthcare
- Private practice
Planning a Career In Counselling?
Student membership is open while you are training on a counselling programme.