Counseling (MS)

salemstate.edu/graduate

CURRICULUM

Students develop programs of study with faculty to reflect their interests and support their career goals. The program curriculum sequence is designed to best prepare degree candidates for their practicum and internship clinical experience in community-based mental health agencies, in home therapy, residential, hospital, schools, and other settings.

The MS in counseling program is a 60-credit program leading to licensing eligibility as an LMHC through the Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human Services. Additionally, after obtaining the MS in counseling students may opt to continue their studies by enrolling in an additional 15-credits to obtain a Certificate in School Adjustment Counseling leading to an Initial License as a School Adjustment Counselor through the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE). A sample of required courses in the 60-credit program include:

• Developmental Psychopathology

• Counseling Theory and Practice I and II

• Community Counseling in a Multicultural and Diverse society

• Differential Diagnosis

• Legal and Ethical Issues in the Human Service Professions

• Group Counseling

• Research Methods

• Practicum (100 hours)

• Internship (two semesters, 600 hours total)

Additional course work is required regardless of what concentration is chosen, making the program 60-75 credit hours depending on the concentration selected and certification desired.

FACULTY

Learn from faculty with a variety and depth of experiences in the mental health field. Many are active practitioners, so they can provide you with useful and up-to-date information about being a counselor or therapist. Additionally, our faculty are well-connected to agencies and sites in Greater Boston.

COST

For Massachusetts residents, each credit costs $514.20,* which includes tuition and fees. For non-Massachusetts residents, each credit costs $609.30.* The program is 60 to 75 credits (excluding prerequisites).

For assistance funding your graduate education, options such as financial aid, graduate assistantships, employer reimbursement and tuition remission, and veteran’s benefits may be available.

*Tuition and fees subject to change.

ADMISSION

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis and reviewed once complete.

BOTH MS IN COUNSELING CONCENTRATIONS REQUIRE:

• 3.0 minimum undergraduate GPA

• Official transcripts or transcript evaluations

• Personal statement

• Three letters of reference

• Prerequisites of 18 hours of study in the field of psychology, including:

» A course in general psychology or the equivalent

» A course in statistics or research or the equivalent

APPLICATION TIPS

• Because work experience is a plus (but not required), address related work experience in the narrative statement.

• Letters of recommendation and narrative statement are important, so be thoughtful when putting these pieces of the application together.

Our program prepares students to work in a variety of settings, such as mental health agencies, residential treatment facilities, in-home therapy, hospitals and public schools. Because our program focuses on psychological science and integrates social justice principles and perspectives, students will learn how to establish culturally informed, collaborative relationships with clients in order to determine what clinical approach is best.

We work with students to establish an optimum schedule that fits into their lives. Applicants may enroll on a part-time or fulltime basis, all of our courses meet in person on Tuesday and Thursday evenings during the fall and spring. We also encourage students to join professional organizations (ACA, MaMHCA, APA, etc.) as critical resources for networking, keeping current with research literature on best practices, and attending licensing workshops, all to support professional growth and development.

Apply: salemstate.edu/apply Financial Aid: salemstate.edu/finaid

Email: gradadmissions@salemstate.edu

Phone: 978.542.6200

For accommodations and access information, visit salemstate.edu/access.