Counseling, Mental Health Counseling Concentration, M.S.

MS—Counseling

Graduate Program Chair

Daneen Deptula, PhD

Advisor

Helen O’Donnell, EdD, Advisor, School Guidance Program 

Graduate Committee

Christopher Adams, PhD
Daneen Deptula, PhD
John Hancock, PhD
Lynne Kellner, PhD
Megan Krell, PhD
 

Program Objectives

The MS in Counseling program is designed to prepare professional counselors as human development teachers or facilitators whose primary function is to help individuals enhance life adjustment, facilitate personal growth and expand behavioral competencies so that they can cope more effectively with their environment. Through the program students increase their self-awareness, their sensitivity to others and their effectiveness as facilitators as they develop skills in counseling. The three major programs of study—marriage and family therapy, mental health counseling and school guidance counseling—all fulfill the academic requirements for state licensure in their respective fields.

Program Description

The program is based on a developmental socialization model of intervention, which recognizes that at each developmental stage throughout the lifespan, individuals face tasks that can lead to problems needing professional assistance. Counselor education is based on the belief that effective counselors are both personally and professionally integrated. For this reason, a balance between didactic and experiential learning is maintained.

Special Status Student

This program of study is designed for professionals who already hold a master’s degree in counseling or a related field with the opportunity to apply for:

• Licensure as a marriage and family therapist (L.M.F.T.)
• Licensure as a mental health counselor (L.M.H.C.)
• Initial licensure as a school guidance counselor (PreK-8) and/or (5-12)

A second master’s degree is not awarded. Students apply for enrollment through the CAGS in Interdisciplinary Studies: Counseling/Psychology Track. Applicants seeking initial licensure as a school guidance counselor must submit passing scores on the communication literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) for admission to the CAGS in Interdisciplinary Studies: Counseling/Psychology Track.

Admissions Standards and Criteria

To apply for enrollment in the MS in Counseling Program, a student must submit documents as outlined in the graduate admissions section as well as:

• A personal statement (maximum 300 words) describing goals and reasons for applying to the program
• Applicants to school guidance counseling programs of study must submit passing scores on the communication and literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Students are admitted to the university and take Phase I coursework in the program. After the successful completion of the Phase I coursework, students apply for candidacy in the graduate counseling program.

Candidacy is awarded by the Behavioral Sciences Committee on Graduate Programs based on:

• The successful completion of the undergraduate prerequisites
• The successful completion of the experiential and theoretical aspects of counseling (Phase I course work)
• The successful completion of the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL).
• The demonstration of competent personal and appropriate ethical behavior
• The demonstration of competent interpersonal skills

Program Requirements

For all programs, students together with their advisors, must plan a program to meet the candidate’s career goals. All courses must have advisor approval prior to registration.

2.  Eligibility for Field Experience Classes
   Eligibility for field experience classes (PSY 8130 - Psychopathology I: Diagnosis and Assessment ; PSY 8200 - Principles of Guidance and Counseling ; PSY 8210 - Occupational Information and Career Counseling ; PSY 8220 - Counseling in the Elementary School ; PSY 8300 - Psychological Testing and Assessment: Theory and Practice ; PSY 8310 ; PSY 8500 - Counseling Techniques and Case Analysis: Individuals and Families ) requires admission to the MS in Counseling program.
3. Eligibility for Internship or Practicum
   Eligibility for PSY 9062 - Internship in Counseling  (3 cr.); PSY 9075 - Internship in Counseling  (6 cr.), PSY 9085 - Practicum in School Counseling  or PSY 9090 - Internship in Mental Health Counseling —Phase III of the program is determined by the Behavioral Science Committee on Graduate Programs based on:

• Candidacy
• A cumulative grade point average of at least 3.0 in Phase I and Phase II courses
• No incomplete grades in Phase I and Phase II courses
• Demonstration of effective written and oral communication skills
• Demonstration of competent interpersonal and intrapersonal behavior
• Demonstration of competent counselor behavior
• Demonstration of appropriate counselor ethical behavior
• Positive recommendation by a majority of Graduate Committee members

Programs of Study

Total for Degree 60 cr.