Dec 04, 2024  
Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2023-2024 
    
Undergraduate/Graduate Catalog 2023-2024 [ARCHIVED CATALOG] See drop-down menu above to access other catalogs.

Counseling, Mental Health Counseling Concentration, MEd


Department: Counselor Education

This 60-credit program is for those seeking licensure as a mental health counselor in Massachusetts by the Board of Registration. Program requirements have been designed to meet current state licensing requirements (CMR 262).

 

Learning Outcomes  

Admission Requirements


  • Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
  • Resumé
  • Personal statement
  • Three letters of recommendation from professionals or educators
  • Undergraduate GPA of 3.0

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.

Grade Requirement


Students must receive a minimum grade of “B-“ 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


Electives (6 credits)


Complete six credits of counseling electives (CNGC, CNMH, CNSA, CNSC) at the 500-level or above.

Fieldwork requirements (15 credits)


Students will meet with their advisor to plan their fieldwork experience. Students seeking licensure as a mental health counselor (LMHC) must complete a minimum of 600 hours of fieldwork at a mental health site. Students may work 10‑40 hours per 15-week semester and will register for three credits for each 150 hours of field work they will complete that semester: 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; 40 hours per week/600 total hours = 12 credits. Students must attend a clinical seminar each semester they are involved in field experience and must attend a minimum of two total seminars.

Culminating experience


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. Students will be required to take the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE) and earn the department set minimum score on the eight core content areas. Students who do not meet the minimum threshold for any of the eight content areas will be required to show mastery in those areas through completing a comprehensive assignment (in the same semester that the CPCE was taken) designed for that core area which will be evaluated by three different department of counselor education faculty members.

Please see the Graduate Academic Policies and Procedures  section of this catalog for additional information regarding comprehensive examinations.

Total minimum credits: 60