Mar 28, 2024  
Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2018-2019 
    
Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2018-2019 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] See drop-down menu above to access other catalogs.

Counseling, Student Affairs Counseling Concentration, MEd


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Department: Counselor Education

This 39-credit program is designed for those students interested in careers in higher education and student affairs.

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.
  • The GRE is waived for candidates with an undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher.*
  • 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 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 that exceeds 290; or
  • If a candidate already holds a master’s degree, a composite GRE score that exceeds 297 and a cumulative GPA of 3.0-3.4.

Admission Interviews


All applicants with a completed application package who meet the minimum admission requirements will be required to participate in the on-campus Admissions Day interview process. The Admissions Day interview 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.

Program of Study


General counseling core courses (12 credits)


Elective (3 credits)


Complete three credits of counseling courses (CNGC, CNMH, CNSA, CNSC) at the 500-level or above. Students should consult with their academic advisors when choosing an appropriate elective.

Required fieldwork (6 credits)


Students will meet with their advisor to plan their fieldwork experience. Students must complete a minimum of 300 fieldwork hours at a site or sites (minimum of one site, maximum of two sites) approved by the Student Affairs Program director and fieldwork supervisor. Students may work 10-40 hours per 15-week semester and will register for three credits for each 150 hours of field work they complete that semester; 10 hours per week/150 total hours = three credits; 20 hours per week/300 total hours = six credits. Students must attend an internship seminar each semester they are involved in field expeerience and may not miss more than two total seminars.

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: 39


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