Massachusetts Licensure

After completing program requirements in the School Counseling track, you will be eligible for initial licensure as a School Guidance Counselor in the state of Massachusetts. You will also have completed necessary coursework for your School Adjustment Counselor license. While many School Counseling graduate programs explicitly emphasize academic counseling, graduates of the BU Counseling program will also have comprehensive training in mental health issues and counseling, leaving you fully prepared to work in the dynamic and ever-changing school environment where there is an increased need for counselors with mental health training.

In addition to the core coursework, you will complete coursework specific to school counseling, including:

• SED CE 735 Issues in School Counseling (4.0 credits)
• SED CE 739 Vocational Development (4.0 credits)
• SED CE 840 Families (4.0)
• SED SE 650 Children at Risk (4.0 credits)
• SED SE 706 Introduction to Special Education (4.0 credits)

Throughout your program, you will complete three semesters of field experience: A pre-practicum in the spring semester of your first year, and a year-long practicum during your second year. During the fall semester of your first year of study, you will meet with the Counseling Placement Coordinator to determine where you will complete your field experiences. You and the Coordinator will discuss your career goals, preference for school setting, and preference for grade level. It is expected that your pre-practicum and practicum will take place in different schools so that you are exposed to a wide range of settings and students. During your pre-practicum and practicum you will receive guidance, support, and supervision from your field supervisor, faculty advisor, and peers.

1. Pre-Practicum: The pre-practicum will take place during the spring semester of your first year of study. You will be in a school setting observing guidance counselors and developing counseling skills. During this semester, you will meet once a week with your cohort and University practicum supervisor to discuss your fieldwork.
2. Practicum: During your second year of study you will complete a year-long practicum. The practicum is 16–20 hours per week and includes 3 hours of class time per week with your cohort and University practicum supervisor. During your practicum you will have hands-on experience, which could include individual counseling with students around academic or interpersonal concerns, developing guidance curriculum, assisting with special education meetings, and coordinating the college admissions process.

Your program will conclude with a comprehensive project on a topic of your choosing. The comprehensive project serves as an opportunity for students to put into practice the knowledge and skills they have acquired over the course of their training. Students will work alongside their advisors in order to determine the topic and format of their project, which will be completed in their final semester of study. The goal is to provide students with the opportunity to conduct the type of research or interventions that they may be asked to complete in a future professional or educational setting, allowing them the opportunity to see firsthand how their training can be translated into meaningful and practical applications.

Note: The clinical portion of the program for all Counseling master’s students (SED CE 746) requires 12 to 20 hours per week September–June in appropriate school or community settings.

Licensure regulations vary from state to state. In some states, students must have teaching experience and teacher licensure in order to work as guidance counselors. Students are urged to contact the appropriate state Department of Education and/or Counseling Board to determine current licensure requirements and to consult with their academic advisor before registering for courses.

The comprehensive training you will receive in the Community Counseling track will prepare you for a career providing counseling to children, adolescents, and young adults in community-based settings that include, but are not limited to, community mental health facilities, hospitals, therapeutic schools, substance abuse treatment facilities, eating disorder treatment facilities, universities, and prisons. If all coursework and practicum requirements are met, students will graduate from the program with all of the pre-master’s requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in the state of Massachusetts.

In addition to the core coursework, you have the option of selecting two elective courses in relevant areas of interest and will additionally complete the following courses:

• SED CE 840 Families (4.0 credits)
• SED SE 650 Children at Risk (4.0 credits)

Throughout your program, you will complete three semesters of field experience: A pre-practicum in the spring semester of your first year, and a year-long practicum during your second year. During the fall semester of your first year of study, you will meet with the Counseling Placement Coordinator to determine where you will complete your field experiences. During your pre-practicum and practicum you will receive guidance, support, and supervision from your field supervisor, faculty advisor, and peers.

1. Pre-Practicum: The pre-practicum will take place during the spring semester of your first year of study. You will be in a community setting completing observations and developing counseling skills. During this semester, you will meet once a week with your cohort and University practicum supervisor to discuss your fieldwork.
2. Practicum: During your second year of study you will complete a year-long practicum. The practicum is 16–20 hours per week and includes 3 hours of class time per week with your cohort and University practicum supervisor. During your practicum you will have the opportunity to participate in the provision of mental health services appropriate to your site. These services may include individual, group, or family counseling, case management, and consultation.

Your program will conclude with a comprehensive project on a topic of your choosing. The comprehensive project serves as an opportunity for students to put into practice the knowledge and skills they have acquired over the course of their training. Students will work alongside their advisors in order to determine the topic and format of their project, which will be completed in their final semester of study. The goal is to provide students with the opportunity to conduct the type of research or interventions that they may be asked to complete in a future professional or educational setting, allowing them the opportunity to see firsthand how their training can be translated into meaningful and practical applications.

Note: The clinical portion of the program for all Counseling master’s students (SED CE 746) requires 12 to 20 hours per week September–June in appropriate school or community settings.

Licensure regulations vary from state to state. Students are urged to contact the appropriate state licensing board to determine current licensure requirements and to consult with their academic advisor before registering for courses.

The comprehensive training you will receive in the Sport/Performance Psychology track will prepare you for a career in providing performance enhancement services to athletes, teams, and coaches. In addition, this training will prepare you for a career providing counseling to children and families in community-based settings that may include, but are not limited to, community mental health facilities, hospitals, therapeutic schools, substance abuse treatment facilities, eating disorder treatment facilities, universities, and prisons. If all coursework and practicum requirements are met, students will graduate from the program with all of the pre-master’s requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in the state of Massachusetts. In addition, you may be eligible to apply to become an AASP Certified Consultant, given all coursework and applied experiences are completed (and also contingent upon coursework completed at the undergraduate level).

In addition to the core coursework, you will complete the following courses:

• SED CE 650 Counseling Skills and Techniques in Sport & Exercise Psychology (4.0 credits)
• SED CE 505 Sport Science (3.0 credits)
• SED CE 529 Psychology of Coaching Teams (4.0 credits)
• SED PE 710 Sport Theory (4.0 credits)
• SED DS 700 Advanced Sport Psychology Seminar (4.0 credits)

Students are strongly encouraged to elect to take courses during the summer between the first and second academic year of study. Class scheduling can be tailored. Students are encouraged to consult with their advisor to create a schedule that best suits each student.

All students participate in both the clinical training experience, which includes a 100-hour pre-practicum experience during year one and a 600-hour clinical internship during year two. In addition, all sport psychology students will also participate in a 2.0-credit sport psychology performance enhancement practicum every semester, meaning that students will participate in performance enhancement fieldwork for all four semesters enrolled in the program. The sport psychology performance enhancement practicum includes working with collegiate teams, providing academic support for student-athletes, and/or engaging in internship sites that are focused on urban youth sport.

Throughout your program, you will also—concurrent with the sport psychology performance enhancement practicum—complete three semesters of a “clinical” field experience: A pre-practicum in the spring semester of your first year, and a year-long practicum during your second year. During the fall semester of your first year of study, you will meet with the Counseling Placement Coordinator to determine where you will complete your field experiences. During your pre-practicum and practicum you will receive guidance, support, and supervision from your field supervisor, faculty advisor, and peers.

1. Pre-Practicum: The pre-practicum will take place during the spring semester of your first year of study. You will be in a community setting completing observations and developing counseling skills. During this semester, you will meet once a week with your cohort and University practicum supervisor to discuss your fieldwork.
2. Practicum: During your second year of study you will complete a year-long practicum. The practicum is 16–20 hours per week and includes 3 hours of class time per week with your cohort and University practicum supervisor. During your practicum you will have the opportunity to participate in the provision of mental health services appropriate to your site. These services may include individual, group, or family counseling, case management, and consultation.

Note: The clinical portion of the program for all Counseling master’s students (SED CE 746) requires 12 to 20 hours per week September–June in appropriate school or community settings.

Licensure regulations vary from state to state. Students are urged to contact the appropriate state licensing board to determine current licensure requirements and to consult with their academic advisor before registering for courses.