Counseling, Master of Science

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The M.S. in Counseling program prepares students for licensing by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts to enter the workforce straightaway after obtaining their degree. Graduates will find a number of fulfilling careers in a wide range of community programs including, but not limited to: Agency or Private Practice; Inpatient-Psychiatric Units, Behavioral Health Organizations, Residential Treatment Centers, Chemical Dependency Programs, Career Counseling, Health Maintenance Organizations, School Systems, Social Services, Nonprofits, Partial Hospital Programs, Child Welfare and Human Service Agencies.

Admission Requirements

Prerequisites

Applicants to the Counseling program must have completed 18 hours of study in the field of psychology and/or the behavioral sciences, a course in General Psychology, or the equivalent; a course in Statistics and Experimentation, or the equivalent.

Program Requirements

Upon acceptance, complete a tentative Plan of Study with the program coordinator.

Request that any transfer credits be considered at this time. Please note that no more than nine credits completed before admission can be counted towards this program, whether completed at Salem State University or another university.

Meet regularly (e.g., each semester) with the program coordinator to discuss your progress and revise your plan of study as needed.

Complete the degree requirements listed below.

Students obtaining the M.S in Counseling degree are eligible to apply to take the licensure exam after graduating and to apply for initial licensure as a licensed mental health counselor by the Board of Registration of Allied and Human Services Professionals which may vary according to state. Students may apply for full licensure after they have completed the required post-master’s supervision hours per the requirement of the state. Students seeking licensure outside of Massachusetts should review licensure requirements in their state. Students may also add a Certificate in School Adjustment Counseling, an Initial License as a School Adjustment Counselor by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE).

Degree Requirements (60 credits)

PSY 705 - Human Development Across the Lifespan
PSY 731 - Counseling Theory and Practice I
PSY 734N - Community Counseling in a Multicultural and Diverse Society
PSY 739 - Developmental Psychopathology
PSY 732 - Counseling Theory and Practice II
PSY 740 - Differential Diagnosis
PSY 741 - Group Counseling
PSY 777R - Legal and Ethical Issues in the Human Services Profession
EDU 735N - Career Education and Development: Information, Planning and Placement
PSY 733 - Principles of Psychological Testing
PSY 925A - Counseling Practicum
PSY 925B - Practicum Seminar
PSY 700 - Research Methods in Psychology
PSY 736N - Behavioral and Cognitive Behavioral Therapies
PSY 877 - Psychopharmacology
PSY 945A - Counseling Internship I
PSY 945B - Internship I Seminar
PSY 720 - Theories of Personality
PSY 820 - Theory and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
PSY 946A - Counseling Internship II
PSY 946B - Internship II Seminar
Elective: And one three credit course to be selected from list of electives in PSY, SWK, EDS, EDU, and in consultation with the program coordinator. Other electives may selected with the approval of the Program Coordinator.
Successful completion of the Comprehensive Examination

Note*** Students interested in the optional add on School Adjustment Counseling certificate may select EDU 832A to satisfy the elective course requirement for the M.S. in Counseling

Optional Post-Master’s Certificate - School Adjustment Counseling Initial License (12 credits)

This concentration of graduate study, leads toward licensing by the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as a MA DESE PreK-12 SAC/SSW

EDU 832A - Administration of Guidance and Counseling Services
PSY 820 - Theory and Treatment of Substance Use Disorders
EDG 901A - Practicum I in School Adjustment Counseling for LMHC and Social Workers
EDG 900S - Seminar I in School Adjustment Counseling
EDG 901B - Practicum II in School Adjustment Counseling for LMHC and Social Work
EDG 901S - Seminar II in School Adjustment Counseling
*Note: EDU 832A is a prerequisite requirements for EDG 901A, EDG 900S, EDG 901B and EDG 901S.

**Note: Students must also complete 75 total pre-practicum hours in two different schools as prerequisite requirements before taking EDG 901A, EDG 900S, EDG 901B and EDG 901S. Students will complete at least 25 hours during EDU 735N. The additional 50 hours need to be done before beginning the practicum with the permission of the Program Coordinator. Site approval is determined by the SC/SAC Program Coordinator.

Students should complete the Concurrent Master’s and Graduate Certificate form to enter the Post-Degree Certificate program: following forms to enter the Post Degree Certificate Program: https://ask.salemstate.edu/kb/school-graduate-studies-forms. Later, students will submit the Graduate Certificate or Licensure Only – Completion form as they complete the final courses for the certificate.

Additional Information and Notes

The successful completion of a Comprehensive Examination is required for completion of degree requirements and is the culminating program experience. The Comprehensive Exam can be taken in the last semester of the program or once the student has completed the following courses: PSY 700, PSY 705, PSY 731, PSY 732, PSY 733, PSY 734N, PSY 739, PSY 740, PSY 741, PSY 777R and EDU 735N.