2011-2012 Archived Catalog Information

The counseling programs include knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary for successful counseling in schools, colleges and various community mental health settings.

Degree Programs

• M.Ed. in School Counseling 
• M.S. in Mental Health Counseling 
• M.S. in Crime and Justice Studies/M.S. in Mental Health Counseling 
• M.S. in Mental Health Counseling/Master of Public Administration

Joint Degree Programs

(See the Joint Degree section of this catalog for more information) 

• Master of Public Administration/Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling 
• Master of Science in Crime and Justice Studies/Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Education in School Counseling/Post-Master’s Certificate in College Admission Counseling

Post Master’s Programs

• Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling 
• Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in School Counseling
• Post-Master's Certificate in College Admission Counseling

A Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check may be conducted by pre-practicum, practicum, and/or internship placement sites for conviction, non-conviction and pending criminal case information.

School Counseling

Program Director: Poynton

Objective

The concentration in School Counseling prepares students to function effectively as licensed school guidance counselors in secondary schools (grades 5-12).

Description

A minimum program of study consists of 36 semester hours of coursework, or 48 semester hours if completing the combined M.Ed./Post-Master's Certificate in College Admission Counseling. All students wishing to apply for degree status in the School Counseling Program are encouraged to interview with the Program Director, prior to acceptance. Degree candidates are advised to consult with the Program Director at all stages of their program.

Competence in counseling skills is acquired during the Counseling Skills Laboratory and the Counseling Practicum classes, EHS 737 and EHS 720– 721. During these courses, students fully admitted into the program demonstrate the ability to translate training into professional judgments and techniques.

Completion of the master’s degree satisfies the Massachusetts Department of Education’s academic experience requirements for Initial Licensure (a passing score on the MTEL is also required). To obtain a Professional License, you need to obtain three years of experience as a School Counselor and accumulate a total of 60 graduate credits (including credits earned as part of the master’s degree).

Practicum

Students are required to apply formally for the School Counseling Practicum and to consult with their advisor regarding their field placement. Six courses must be completed before enrolling in the practicum.  After two failed attempts to satisfactorily complete EHS 720/721 students will be subject to dismissal from the program at the discretion of faculty.

Prior to enrollment in EHS 720, students must successfully complete the literacy and communication sections of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Prior to enrollment in the Counseling Practicum a cumulative average of “B” (3.0) or above is also required. Any grade less than “B” (3.0) must be offset by appropriate honor grades (3.3 or higher) and all incomplete grades must be successfully completed prior to enrolling in the School Counseling Practicum.

During the Counseling Skills Lab and the Counseling Practicum aspect of training the provision of earning a grade of less than “B” (3.0) may be offset by an honor grade does not apply. The Counseling Skills Lab and the Practicum must be completed with a grade of no less than “B” (3.0). Unsatisfactory performance during the Practicum results in repeating the course. 

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the School Counseling program, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0, take either the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) and complete the application requirements.  The Communication and Literacy Skills sections of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) is encouraged, but not required.  A qualifying score on the MTEL is needed to successfully complete degree requirements for the M.Ed. in School Counseling. If you are an international student, you must also take the TOEFL or IELTS and provide a statement of financial resources.

Required Core Courses (36 Semester Hours)

EHS 701 Child and Adolescent Development

EHS 710 Introduction to School Counseling

EHS 713 Counseling: Theory and Practice

EHS 714 Psychology of Career Development

EHS 717 Introduction to Psychological Testing

EHS 731 Action Research OR EHS 715 Methods of Research

EHS 720 School Counseling Practicum I

EHS 721 School Counseling Practicum II

EHS 732 Psychological Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

EHS 735 Group Counseling OR EHS 722 Groups in Schools

EHS 737 Counseling Skills Laboratory

EHS 746 Critical Issues in School Counseling

Students seeking to complete the combined M.Ed./Certificate in College Admission Counseling will also need to complete the following courses plus one elective (see Post Master's Certificate in College Admission Counseling section for possible electives).

EHS 747  College Admission Counseling Fundamentals

EHS 748  Fieldwork: College Visits

EHS 749  Access and Equity in Higher Education

Pre-Practicum

Students in School Counseling must successfully complete a minimum of 75 hours of field-based pre-practicum experience. These experiences are incorporated into courses taken before starting the practicum.

Portfolios

All School Counseling students will develop and maintain portfolios of all course and field experience related items. Such items might include, but should not be limited to: 

• Papers
• Journals
• Observation Reports
• Projects
• Placement Reports
• Examinations
• Audio/Video Tapes
• Supervisor Evaluations
• Written Recommendation Letters 

Post Master’s Certificate in College Admission Counseling

Program Advisor: Poynton

The Post-Master’s Certificate in College Admission Counseling is designed to provide people currently working in the field of school counseling with advanced preparation in facets of college admission counseling.  The certificate program can be completed with 18 semester hours of post Master’s study, or 12 semester hours when combined with our M.Ed. in School Counseling.

The curriculum provides students with an opportunity to consider issues in the field of College Admission Counseling from both the K-12 and Higher Education perspectives, and requires students have exposure to coursework from both the School Counseling and Administration of Higher Education programs.

Required Core Courses (12 Semester Hours)

EHS 714  Psychology of Career Development or an approved alternative*

EHS 747  College Admission Counseling Fundamentals

EHS 748  Fieldwork: College Visits

EHS 749  Access and Equity in Higher Education

* selected in conjunction with advisor, based on prior preparation

Electives (6 Semester Hours)

EHS 635 The American College/University Student

EHS 642 College and University Cultures

EHS 733 Counseling Diverse Populations

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Post-Master’s Certificate in College Admission Counseling, you must hold a Master’s degree in Counseling or School Counseling from an accredited college or university, and/or hold a license to practice school counseling from a state department of education.  If you are an international student, you must also take the TOEFL and provide a statement of financial resources.

A Criminal Offender Record Information (CORI) check may be conducted by pre-practicum, practicum, and/or internship placement sites for conviction, non-conviction and pending criminal case information.

 

Post Master’s Program (CAGS) – School Counseling

Program Advisor: Poynton

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in School Counseling is designed to provide those who have already earned a master’s degree in School Counseling with advanced preparation in the field.

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study is designed as an individually-oriented program to meet the needs of advanced students. The completion of a minimum of 30 credits of graduate study is required for the certificate. Additional hours may be required at the discretion of the faculty advisor.

Concentration Requirements (12 Semester Hours)

EHS 740  Internship I (fall)

EHS 741  Internship II (spring)

EHS 744  Supervision I (fall)

EHS 745  Supervision II (spring)

Electives (18 Semester Hours)

Selected with Advisor

Curriculum and Requirements

Students may enroll either as full- or part-time. Full-time study is designed to be completed in one calendar year. Students must complete all courses with a minimum grade of “B” (3.0). Should there be evidence that it will be difficult to successfully complete the program, the faculty reserves the right to withdraw a student from the program. Deficiencies in the internship experience and academic performance enter into the CAGS faculty committee judgment.

Admission Requirements

To be reviewed for admission into the CAGS program, one must hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, a graduate GPA of 3.5, and complete the application process. A personal interview with the faculty is recommended. If you are an international student, you must also take the TOEFL and provide a statement of financial resources. 

Mental Health Counseling

Program Director: Medoff

The concentration in Mental Health Counseling trains students to function in a variety of community mental health settings (e.g., clinics, hospitals, prisons, college counseling centers, day treatment programs, rehabilitation facilities, outreach programs, after care centers, etc.).

The ability to work with people in a variety of settings and roles will be cultivated. Through systematic completion of the curriculum, students will develop a competency base from which to perform effectively in their area of specialization.

Description

A minimum GPA of 3.0 is required for admission and a minimum program involves 36 semester hours of coursework, depending on undergraduate preparation. All special non-degree students wishing to apply for degree status are encouraged to interview with a member of the faculty prior to acceptance. Degree candidates are advised to consult with members of the faculty at all stages of their programs.

Practicum

All students must successfully complete a minimum of 12 semester hours prior to the Counseling Practicum experience, including the Counseling Skills Laboratory (EHS 737) course offered during the spring semester and Counseling Theory (EHS 713).

It is during the Counseling Skills Lab and the Counseling Practicum that a student, fully admitted into the program, demonstrates ability to translate training into professional judgments and techniques. Students are required to apply formally for the Counseling Practicum and to consult with their Faculty Advisors regarding their field placements.  After two failed attempts to satisfactorily complete a clinical practicum students will be subject to dismissal from the program at the discretion of faculty.

Prior to eligibility for the Counseling Practicum a cumulative average of “B” (3.0) or above is required. Any grade less than “B” (3.0) must be offset by appropriate honor grades (3.3 or higher) and all incomplete grades must be successfully completed prior to eligibility for Practicum.

During the Counseling Skills Laboratory aspect of training the provision of earning a grade of less than “B” that may be offset by an appropriate honor grade does not apply. The Counseling Skills Laboratory and the Practicum must be completed with a grade of no less than “B” (3.0). Unsatisfactory performance during Practicum may result in termination from the program.

Required Core Courses (6 Semester Hours)

EHS 712 Life Span Development

EHS 715 Methods of Research

Concentration Requirements (18 Semester Hours)

EHS 713 Counseling: Theory and Practice

EHS 716 Psychological Diagnosis

EHS 717 Introduction to Psychological Testing

EHS 737 Counseling Skills Laboratory

EHS 738 Mental Health Counseling Practicum I

EHS 739 Mental Health Counseling Practicum II

Electives (12 Semester Hours)

EHS 701 Child and Adolescent Development

EHS 710 Introduction to School Counseling

EHS 714 Psychology of Career Development

EHS 725 Forensic Psychological Assessment

EHS 726 Family Therapy

EHS 727 Substance Disorders and Treatment

EHS 728 Professional Orientation: Ethical/Legal Issues

EHS 729 Human Sexuality Seminar

EHS 730 Personality Disorders Seminar

EHS 731 Action Research

EHS 732 Psychological Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence

EHS 733 Counseling Diverse Populations

EHS 734 Counseling Psychology Seminar

EHS 735 Group Counseling

EHS 736 Consultation

EHS 751 Domestic Violence, Abuse and Neglect

EHS 910 Independent Study: Counseling

(Coursework in related disciplines may be elected subject to approval of faculty advisor.)

Note: Eligibility for Massachusetts licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) requires an additional 30 credit hours including a 600-hour internship. Students are encouraged to enroll in the CAGS Program at the completion of the master’s degree to satisfy the academic requirements for licensure. Licensure permits third party (Insurance Company) reimbursement for Counseling Services. See your advisor for details.

 

Post Master’s Program (CAGS) – Mental Health Counseling

Program Director: Medoff

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in Mental Health Counseling is designed to provide those who have already earned a master’s degree in Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, or a closely related field with advanced preparation to fulfill the academic and field-based experience requirements for licensure as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC).

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study is designed as an individually-oriented program to meet the needs of advanced students. The completion of a minimum of 30 credits of graduate study is required for the certificate. Additional hours may be required at the discretion of the faculty advisor.

Concentration Requirements (12 Semester Hours)

EHS 740  Internship I (fall)  

EHS 741  Internship II (spring)  

EHS 744  Supervision I (fall)  

EHS 745  Supervision II (spring)  

Electives (18 Semester Hours)

See Mental Health Counseling sections

Curriculum and Requirements

Students may enroll either as full- or part-time. Full-time study is designed to be completed in one calendar year. Students must complete all courses with a minimum grade of “B” (3.0). Should there be evidence that it will be difficult to successfully complete the program, the faculty reserves the right to withdraw a student from the program. Deficiencies in the internship experience and academic performance enter into the CAGS faculty committee judgment.

Admission Requirements

To be reviewed for admission into the CAGS program, one must hold a master’s degree from an accredited college or university, a graduate GPA of 3.5, and complete the application process. If you are an international student, you must also take the TOEFL and provide a statement of financial resources.