Content Curator | Updated on - Mar 31, 2026

The Master of Science in Counselling and Family Therapy (programme code: MSCCFT) at Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU), New Delhi, is a 2-year postgraduate programme offered in Open Distance Learning (ODL) mode under the School of Continuing Education (SOCE). The programme focuses on developing sensitization regarding the role of counselling and family therapy in promoting mental health and wellbeing, covering areas such as human development, mental health and disorders, counselling theories, applied social psychology, and family therapy interventions. The total programme fee is Rs. 36,500 (Rs. 18,000/year + Rs. 300 registration fee + Rs. 200 development fee). The programme is popular for its flexible ODL mode, unique exit option as PGDCFT after Year 1, lateral entry provision for PGDCFT holders, and IGNOU's NAAC A++ accreditation.

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This programme is NOT approved by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), which now governs the registration of individuals in the counselling profession. Applicants are strongly advised to go through the NCAHP Act (2021) to understand the implications for professional practice before enrolling.

Admission for the July 2026 session is expected to open around May 2026. For the January 2026 session, the last date to apply was March 30, 2026 (extended). The programme is offered in semester mode (4 semesters over 2 years) with a maximum duration of 5 years. Each theory course has a corresponding supervised practicum component, and students must complete an internship and dissertation in the second year.

Since this is an ODL programme, students are supported through a network of study centres across India. Supervised practicum sessions are conducted at designated study centres.

Key Points

The programme is offered in ODL mode under the School of Continuing Education (SOCE), IGNOU.
A special exit point is available: students who complete Year 1 successfully can exit with a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy (PGDCFT).
Lateral entry to Year 2 is available for students who have completed PGDCFT from IGNOU (minimum 1 year, maximum 2 years for lateral entry students).
Each theory course has a corresponding Supervised Practicum component, making the programme practice-oriented.
The second year includes an Internship (6 credits) and Dissertation (8 credits).
Elective specializations available: Marital and Family Therapy, Child and Adolescent Counselling, and Substance Abuse Counselling.
IMPORTANT: The programme is NOT approved by NCAHP; students should verify professional registration requirements before enrolling.
Medium of instruction is English.

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Fees
Admission
Scholarships
FAQs

IGNOU M.Sc CFT Fees

The M.Sc. (Counselling and Family Therapy) programme at IGNOU has an annual fee of Rs. 18,000, with a one-time registration fee of Rs. 300 and development fee of Rs. 200. For the minimum 2-year duration, the total fee comes to Rs. 36,500. Students who join through lateral entry (PGDCFT holders) pay only for the second year, i.e., Rs. 18,500 (Rs. 18,000 + Rs. 300 + Rs. 200).

Fee Components

Fee Component	Amount (Rs.)
Programme Fee - Year 1	18,000
Programme Fee - Year 2	18,000
Registration Fee (one-time)	300
Development Fee (one-time)	200
Total Fees (2 Years)	36,500

Examination fee is Rs. 200 per subject per semester (charged separately, not included above).
Lateral entry students (PGDCFT holders) pay only Year 2 fee: Rs. 18,000 + Rs. 300 + Rs. 200 = Rs. 18,500.
Fees are subject to revision by IGNOU; candidates should verify the latest fee structure at the time of admission.
No hostel facility is available at IGNOU for ODL students.

IGNOU M.Sc CFT Admission 2026

IGNOU M.Sc. Counselling and Family Therapy admissions are conducted twice a year - for the January session and the July session. The January 2026 session admission last date was March 30, 2026 (extended). For the July 2026 session, admissions are expected to open around May 2026. Applications are submitted online through the IGNOU admission portal (ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in).

Admission Dates

Event	January 2026 Session	July 2026 Session (Tentative)
Admission Opens	December 2025	May 2026
Last Date to Apply	March 30, 2026 (Extended)	July 2026
Re-Registration for Existing Students	Ongoing	Ongoing
Session Commencement	January 2026	July 2026

UGC NET Exam Dates

Event	Phase 1 (Completed)	Phase 2 (Upcoming - Tentative)
Registration Start	October 7, 2025	April 1, 2026
Registration End	November 7, 2025	May 1, 2026
Admit Card Release	December 28, 2025	June 1, 2026
Exam Dates	December 31, 2025 - January 7, 2026	June 2026
Result Declaration	February 4, 2026	July 1, 2026

Note: UGC NET is not required for admission to M.Sc. Counselling and Family Therapy at IGNOU. It is relevant for students who wish to pursue teaching or research careers after completing the programme.

The dates mentioned above are tentative and subject to change.

Eligibility Criteria

Candidates must have a Bachelor's Degree in any subject from a recognized university.
There is no minimum percentage requirement specified; candidates must have passed their qualifying degree.
There is no age bar for admission.
Lateral entry to Year 2: Candidates who have successfully completed PGDCFT from IGNOU are eligible for direct admission to Year 2.

Admission Process

Visit the official IGNOU admission portal at ignouadmission.samarth.edu.in.
Register and fill the online application form for the MSCCFT programme.
For lateral entry, select the lateral entry option during qualification details and upload the PGDCFT final marks sheet.
Pay the application fee of Rs. 300 online.
Upload required documents: passport-size photograph, signature, and qualifying degree certificate/marksheet.
Select the preferred study centre from the available list.
Submit the application form and note the enrollment number for future reference.
After lateral entry admission, apply for transfer of credits earned in PGDCFT to MSCCFT.

IGNOU M.Sc CFT Scholarships 2026

IGNOU M.Sc. Counselling and Family Therapy students can avail various government scholarships. IGNOU itself does not offer programme-specific scholarships for ODL students, but students are eligible for national and state government scholarship schemes.

Scholarship Schemes

Scholarship / Fellowship	Eligibility	Amount
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) Scholarships	SC/ST/OBC/Minority/EWS students	Varies by scheme
Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students	SC category students	As per state norms
Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students	OBC category students	As per state norms
Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF)	Minority community students	As per MANF norms
State Government Scholarships	Varies by state	Varies

Students must apply for scholarships through the National Scholarship Portal (scholarships.gov.in) or respective state portals.
Scholarship deadlines vary; students should apply early in the academic year.

IGNOU M.Sc CFT FAQs

Ques. Is IGNOU M.Sc. Counselling and Family Therapy recognized for professional practice as a counsellor?

Ans. This is a critical question. The MSCCFT programme is NOT approved by the National Commission for Allied and Healthcare Professions (NCAHP), which now governs the registration of counselling professionals in India under the NCAHP Act (2021). This means graduates may face challenges in getting registered as professional counsellors under NCAHP. Applicants are strongly advised to review the NCAHP Act (2021) and consult with NCAHP before enrolling to understand the implications for their professional career.

Ques. What is the exit option available in IGNOU MSCCFT?

Ans. A special feature of the MSCCFT programme is the exit option after Year 1. Students who successfully complete all Year 1 courses can exit with a Post Graduate Diploma in Counselling and Family Therapy (PGDCFT) from IGNOU. This allows students to have a recognized qualification even if they do not complete the full 2-year M.Sc. programme. Students who exit with PGDCFT can later re-enter for Year 2 through the lateral entry route.

Ques. Can PGDCFT holders from IGNOU get direct admission to Year 2 of MSCCFT?

Ans. Yes, IGNOU PGDCFT holders are eligible for lateral entry directly to Year 2 of MSCCFT. For lateral entry students, the minimum duration is 1 year and maximum is 2 years. They need to select the lateral entry option during the online admission process and upload their PGDCFT final marks sheet. After admission, they must apply for transfer of credits earned in PGDCFT to MSCCFT.

Ques. What supervised practicum and internship requirements are there in MSCCFT?

Ans. Each of the 7 theory courses in Year 1 has a corresponding Supervised Practicum component (MCFTL-001 to MCFTL-007), plus a Reflective Journal (MCFTL-008). In Year 2, students must complete an Internship (MCFTP-001, 6 credits) and a Dissertation (MCFTP-002, 8 credits). The supervised practicum sessions are conducted at designated study centres. Students must attend these sessions and complete the required hours of supervised practice.

Ques. What career options are available after IGNOU M.Sc. Counselling and Family Therapy?

Ans. Graduates can work as counsellors in schools, colleges, hospitals, rehabilitation centres, NGOs, corporate wellness programmes, and private practice. They can also work in research and academia. However, given the NCAHP registration requirements, students should verify the current regulatory landscape before planning their career. Career options include School Counsellor, Family Therapist, Mental Health Counsellor, Substance Abuse Counsellor, and Child and Adolescent Counsellor.

Ques. Is there any age limit or work experience requirement for IGNOU MSCCFT admission?

Ans. No, there is no age limit or work experience requirement for admission to IGNOU MSCCFT. Any graduate from a recognized university is eligible to apply, regardless of their undergraduate subject. This makes the programme accessible to graduates from diverse backgrounds including arts, science, commerce, and social work who wish to build a career in counselling and mental health.