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

A minimum program of study consists of 36 credits of coursework, or 48 credits if completing the combined MEd/Post-Master's Certificate in College Admission Counseling.

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

Completion of the master’s degree satisfies the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary 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, including all pre-requisites for COUNS 720.  After two failed attempts to satisfactorily complete COUNS 720/721, students will be subject to dismissal from the program.

Prior to enrollment in COUNS 720, students must successfully complete the literacy and communication sections of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL), have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher, and earn a grade of no less than "B" in the Counseling Skills Laboratory course (COUNS 737).

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.

Required Core Courses (12 courses, 36 credits)

COUNS 701 Child and Adolescent Development
COUNS 710 Introduction to School Counseling
COUNS 713 Counseling: Theory and Practice
COUNS 714 Psychology of Career Development
COUNS 717 Introduction to Psychological Testing
COUNS 720 School Counseling Practicum I
COUNS 721 School Counseling Practicum II
COUNS 722 Groups in Schools OR COUNS 735 Group Counseling
COUNS 731 Action Research OR COUNS 715 Methods of Research
COUNS 732 Psychological Disorders of Childhood and Adolescence
COUNS 737 Counseling Skills Laboratory
COUNS 746 Critical Issues in School Counseling

Students seeking to complete the combined MEd/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).

COUNS 747  College Admission Counseling Fundamentals
COUNS 748  Fieldwork: College Visits
COUNS 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