Nov 21, 2024

Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2022-2023

Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2022-2023 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] See drop-down menu above to access other catalogs.

Counseling, School Adjustment Counseling, Postmaster’s Licensure

The Postmaster’s Licensure program is designed for individuals who seek initial licensure as a school adjustment counselor/social worker, and who already possess an applied master’s degree in counseling or a related field (e.g., social work, clinical psychology), which has included a formal, supervised internship experience. Each student plans their program of study with a faculty advisor in accordance with the current BSU requirements for licensure as a school adjustment counselor/social worker, which are aligned with licensure requirements established by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The program will complement previous master’s level course work, and it will include all appropriate field experiences.

Admission Requirements

Online application and $50 application fee
A master’s degree in counseling or related field (i.e., social work or clinical psychology), which included an applied counseling internship with formal supervision
Resumé that demonstrates successful experience in a counseling capacity
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
A minimum cumulative graduate GPA of 3.5
Three letters of recommendation from professionals or educators, only one letter can be from a professor in the BSU Department of Counselor Education, and at least one of which should be from a supervisor who has knowledge of the applicant’s counseling activities
Personal statement
Passing qualifying scores on the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure^® (MTEL)

Applicant Screening Process

Candidates who meet the above criteria will be invited to an admissions interview. The Admissions Interview Day is an opportunity for faculty to assess the applicant’s potential for employment as a professional counselor. Admissions Interview Day is held at the end of March and the end of November each year. Students who live, work or attend school more than 200 miles from Bridgewater State University may be granted an alternative online admissions interview.

Program of Study

Counseling core courses (36 credits)

Counseling core requirements can be satisfied with equivalent graduate level courses earned during the completion of a master’s program. All graduate equivalent courses must have been taken within six years prior to admission, and students must have earned a minimum grade of “B-“ in the course to qualify for a waiver.

Required School Adjustment Counseling core courses (6 credits)

Required fieldwork (18 credits)

Students must complete all required prerequisites before entering the field experience (with a minimum grade of “B”).

Students must complete all required field experience requirements and may not waive the field experience requirement based on previous experience.

Students will meet with their advisor to plan their fieldwork experience. Students need to complete 900 hours of fieldwork (450 in a school-based setting and 450 hours in a mental health setting) in a maximum of six 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.

Academic Catalog