salemstate.edu/graduate
OUR PROGRAMS
We offer four unique pathways to prepare you for the next steps in your career:
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
This program is for those who are seeking licensure in school counseling. 54 credits including a 500-hour year-long practicum where students gain experience working in public schools under the supervision of a professional school counselor and acquire the skills and knowledge to earn school counseling initial licensure.
SCHOOL COUNSELING LICENSURE-ONLY PROGRAM
This program is geared for those who already hold a master’s in counseling or psychology and are seeking an initial licensure in school counseling. This license allows candidates to gain employment as school counselors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. 15-24 credits depending on previous coursework and experience. This program also includes one 500-hour year-long practicum.
MASTER OF EDUCATION IN SCHOOL COUNSELING/ SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELING
This program is for those who are seeking dual licensure in both school counseling and school adjustment counseling. 60 credits including a yearlong practicum of 1,350 hours to earn school counseling initial licensure (PK-12) and school adjustment counseling initial licensure (K-12).
SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELING LICENSURE-ONLY PROGRAM
This program is geared for those who hold a master of education in school counseling from Salem State University and are seeking initial licensure in school adjustment counseling. 9-18 credits depending on previous coursework and experience. This program also includes one 900-hour year-long practicum.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A SCHOOL COUNSELOR AND A SCHOOL ADJUSTMENT COUNSELOR?
School counselors work in public or private school settings and help students to develop the social, organizational, and decisionmaking skills needed for academic and career success. Their role is to advocate, listen, counsel, inform, assess, and empower.
School adjustment counselors have specialized knowledge and evidence based training to serve PK-12 students with severe psychopathology such as depression, ADHD, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorders, among others, all of which impact a student’s ability to engage successfully in a learning environment.
ADDITIONAL PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
• World-class faculty, with real school counseling experience,pursuing cuttingedge research in robotics, autism, social media, and social emotional learning
• School counseling faculty also hold board positions with the Massachusetts School Counseling Association
• Flexible course formatting including evening, hybrid and online
• Program objectives based on the indicators of effective teaching practice presented in the Massachusetts education evaluation systems, Massachusetts model for school counseling and the American School Counselor Association
• Small class sizes and cohort-based learning help to foster a tight-knit community between students and faculty
• Opportunities to apply for graduate assistantships, grants and scholarships
• Opportunities for a paid internship experience through partnerships with local districts
• Full or part-time enrollment options available
CAREERS
Employed in public or private school settings, there are thousands of school counselors and school adjustment counselors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. According to the Bureau of Labor and Statistics, job outlook is expected to grow at an annual rate of 13 percent,* or as fast as average. Median pay in the Greater Boston area is $78,220 per year. Our graduates boost a high employment rate. The Class of 2021 had a 96% employment rate six months after graduation.
*www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/school-and-career-counselors.htm#tab-6
COST
For Massachusetts residents, each credit costs $514.20* which includes tuition and fees. For non-Massachusetts residents, each credit costs $609.30.*
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.
We are now proud to offer fellowships for students in practicum. These fellowships offer stipends or tuition reimbursement for students working full time in certain school districts. The availability and location of fellowships change annually.
*Tuition and fees subject to change.
Graduate assistantships, salemstate.edu/graduate-assistantships
Grants and scholarships, salemstate.edu/scholarships
Financial aid, salemstate.edu/finaid
CURRICULUMS WITH TIME COMMITMENTS
Students can select either full-time or part-time plan to best meet their needs based on competing work-life commitments. Our programs understand that students are often juggling responsibilities such as work, family and finding time for themselves!
Counseling License only
*This program depends on student’s previous course
School Adjustment Counseling (SAC)
Must Start in
In your final year of the program, you will be completing two separate practicums, and will be at your school site 5x per week.
450-hour practicum to earn school counseling initial licensure (K-8 or 5-12) and one 900-hour practicum to earn school adjustment counseling initial licensure.
In your final year of the program, you will be completing two separate practicums, and will be at your school site 5x per week.
450-hour practicum to earn school counseling initial licensure (K-8 or 5-12) and one 900-hour practicum to earn school adjustment counseling initial licensure.
One
– 3 courses
– 4 courses
Two
Year One
Fall – 2-4 courses
Spring – 2-4 courses
Summer – 1-2 courses
Year Two
Fall – 2-3 courses
Spring – 2 courses
Summer – 1-2 courses
Year Three
SAMPLE SCHEDULE
Students generally take two classes in one evening, one at 4:30 and another at 7 pm. For example:
• Monday night, we offer Administration in Guidance 4:306:50 pm and Career Counseling 7-9:20 pm
• Tuesday night, we offer Introduction to Counseling 4:30-6:50 pm and Developmental Psychopathology 7-9:20 pm
• Wednesday night, we offer Psychology of Learning Counseling 4:30-6:50 pm and Multicultural Counseling 7-9:20 pm
During the summer, we offer special one week summer institutes, students can complete three credits in only one week!
EDU 730 Fundamentals of College Admission Counseling
EDU 857A Consultation and Collaborations in the School Setting
EDU 734 Measurement of Intelligence Testing
PREREQUISITES
Prerequisites are required for both the MEd and license only programs. Review the School of Graduate Studies catalog at catalog.salemstate. edu for a complete listing of prerequisites for both programs.
APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS
both the
both the
MED IN SCHOOL COUNSELING
STUDENT RESEARCH
At the Massachusetts School Counselors Association (MASCA) Annual Conference, twenty-two graduate students from the School Counseling Program at Salem State had the opportunity to present original research to school counselors representing various Massachusetts school districts.
“Every
Whether you want to become a school counselor, school adjustment counselor, or would like to supplement your school counseling licensure with advanced training in school based mental health issues, our master of education programs can take you there.
Our education programs are accredited by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education and prepare students to meet the Commonwealth of Massachusetts requirements for license for School Counseling (PK-12) and School Adjustment Counseling (K-12).
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.
