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Nov 25, 2024
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Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2016-2017 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] See drop-down menu above to access other catalogs.
Counseling, School Counseling (PreK-8, 5-12) Concentration, MEd
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School Counselor Licensure
Course requirements leading to initial licensure by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as a school counselor at the pre-kindergarten through 8th grade level (PreK-8) or the 5th through 12th grade level (5-12) are outlined below. Licensure by the university will result in interstate reciprocity with signatory states as specified under the Interstate Certification Compact. To discuss the various licensure program options, please consult with your advisor.
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Admission Requirements
- A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8 or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 for the last two years of undergraduate study. (If the candidate already holds a master’s degree, a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5 is required.)*
- A minimum composite score of 290 on the quantitative and verbal parts of the GRE General Test if taken on or after August 1, 2011, or a minimum composite score of 900 on the quantitative and verbal parts of the GRE General Test if taken prior to August 1, 2011.
- Three letters of recommendation from professionals or educators outside of the BSU Department of Counselor Education
- A completed Counselor Education admission application, including a 500-word personal statement related to the intended counseling program option
- Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work completed outside of Bridgewater State University
- Candidates for education programs leading to initial licensure (School Counseling and Mental Health-Dual License) must also provide passing qualifying scores on the Communication and Literacy Skills portions of the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure® (MTEL).
*Candidates who already hold a master’s degree are not required to take the GRE, but may be asked to do so by the Department of Counselor Education if their graduate GPA does not meet the minimum requirement.
Applicant Screening Process
Students who meet all admission requirements as outlined above will be invited to an admission interview.
Candidates who meet the following criteria will receive a conditional invitation to an admission interview:
- A composite GRE score of 700-899 (or a comparable composite score on the new grading scale) and a minimum 3.0 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- A composite GRE score that exceeds 900 (or a comparable composite score on the new grading scale) and a 2.5-2.79 cumulative undergraduate GPA.
- If a candidate already holds a master’s degree, a composite GRE score that exceeds 1,000 and a cumulative graduate GPA of 3.0-3.4.
Admission Interviews
All applicants with a completed application package and who meet the admission requirements as outlined above will be required to participate in the on-campus Admissions Day interview process. The Admissions Day is an opportunity for faculty to assess the applicant’s potential for employment as a professional counselor. Admissions Day is held on the third Friday of March and the third Friday of November each year. Grade Requirement
Students must receive a grade of “B-” or higher in each graduate course or fieldwork experience; students who receive a grade lower than a “B-” must repeat the course. In addition, students who receive a grade of “F” in any course will be placed on academic probation by the department. Any student who receives a second grade of “F” will be dismissed from the program. Lastly, students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or will be placed on academic probation as outlined in the graduate student handbook.
General counseling core courses (12 credits)
School counseling courses (21 credits)
Required fieldwork (15 credits)
Students will meet with their advisor to plan their fieldwork experience. Students will need to complete 600 hours of fieldwork in a minimum of two semesters and a maximum of four semesters. Students may work 10‑30 hours per 15 week semester and will register for three credits for each 150 hours of fieldwork they will complete that semester. For example, 10 hours per week/150 total hours = three credits; 20 hours per week/300 total hours = six credits; 30 hours per week/450 total hours = nine credits. Students must attend a clinical seminar each semester they are involved in field experience. Elective (3 credits)
Complete three credits in counseling (CNGC, CNMH, CNSA, CNSC) courses at the 500-level or above. Students should consult with their academic advisors when choosing an appropriate elective.
Exit requirement: Culminating Experience
As part of the graduation requirement in the department, students are expected to complete a culminating experience which is overseen by members of the Department of Counselor Education faculty. The culminating experience focuses on students’ ability to integrate counseling and development theory into direct practice. Through the culminating experience, students will demonstrate the counseling competencies that align with current CACREP standards (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), as well as standards that align within respective programs of study.
Candidates will complete the culminating experience with the successful completion of one of the following options:
Students completing a master’s thesis must follow the guidelines established by the College of Graduate Studies. Students who are considering pursuing future doctoral studies are especially encouraged to select the master’s thesis option.
Please see the Graduate Academic Policies section of this catalog for additional information regarding comprehensive examinations. Total minimum credits: 51
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