Please Note: There will be a Moratorium on the CAGS in School/Community Counseling for the 2010–2011 and 2011–2012 academic years. therefore, no new students will be permitted to begin programs in this area during this time period.

Degree and Certificate Offered

EdM in Counseling with specializations in:

Community Counseling
School Counseling
Sport Psychology

The programs in counseling are designed to prepare individuals to work as counseling professionals in a variety of school and community settings. The programs emphasize a developmental counseling approach which focuses on prevention, personal growth, and well-being. There are specializations for master’s students in school counseling, community counseling, and sport psychology. One introductory counseling course is open to undergraduates.

Course Open to Undergraduates

• SED CE 500 Introduction to Counseling

School Counseling

Community Counseling

Application

Intensive one-year as well as part-time study arrangements can be made. Students generally enter the program in May but, with approval, may begin academic work in other terms (July, September, and January). Most students elect to begin with summer study and continue for the full calendar year and/or beyond, if additional licenses or degrees are being pursued. Those wishing to apply for clinical internships in the first year of study (intensive option) must submit their application by February 15 so that a clinical position can be arranged for each matriculated student. If seeking financial assistance, please note that priority is given to students who apply for aid by February 15. Students are required to meet School of Education and program requirements.

Master of Education

The Master of Education Program is available to individuals who have completed bachelor’s degrees in accredited colleges and universities throughout the world. While evidence of commitment to human service is a prerequisite, it is not necessary to have majored in the social or behaviorial sciences. The minimum requirement for completion of the EdM program is eight courses (a total of 32 semester hours) for Community Counseling students not seeking licensure. Students specializing in school guidance counseling generally follow a 12-month program of study beginning (or ending) with summer semester hours. Although most students elect our intensive 1-year programs, international students for whom English is a second language should expect a 2-year program, with an arranged clinical experience during the second year. Coursework includes studies in counseling theory, human development, measurement, special populations, and cross-cultural perspectives, as well as supervised practice in counseling. All students interested in these courses should request preliminary advising from the program coordinator prior to registering. Diverse, approved electives drawn from across the University and consortium can also be suggested to individual students who have interest in special settings or forms of counseling.

Courses

(Required for all School and Community Counseling EdM Students)

• SED CE 705 Lifespan Development
• SED CE 726 Clinical Assessment: Psychological Testing
• SED CE 737 Counseling: Philosophy, Theory, and Practice
• SED CE 741 Cross-Cultural Perspectives
• SED CE 746 Clinical Practice (2 semesters)
• SED RS 600 Perspectives on Inquiry

One approved elective

Massachusetts Licensure

The school specialization within the School of Education has current Massachusetts-approved program status for the school guidance and school adjustment counselor sequence. Students who wish to be licensed as guidance counselors in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts should so indicate at the time of application and must complete a total of 40 credits, including the core curriculum, one elective, and the following courses:

• SED CE 735 Issues in School Counseling
• SED CE 739 Psychology of  Vocational Development

Pre-service students must pass the Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Test.

First-year SED school guidance counseling students also seeking licensure as school adjustment and mental health counselors may apply to remain for a second year of preparation.

Note: The clinical portion of the program (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 to determine current licensure requirements and to consult with their academic advisor before registering for courses.

Sport Psychology

Application

Students generally enter the program in September but, with approval, may begin academic work in other terms. Part-time arrangements can be made. Priority for financial assistance is given to students who apply for aid by February 15. All students participate in a two-semester practicum experience which is assigned in September. Students are required to meet the School of Education entry requirements.

Master of Education

The Master of Education program in counseling with a sport psychology specialization places emphasis on wellness, performance enhancement, and positive psychology. The program is available to individuals who have completed bachelor’s degrees in accredited colleges and universities throughout the world; it is not necessary to have majored in the social or behaviorial sciences. In addition, students must have demonstrated significant interest in both counseling psychology and a performance domain. The coursework comprises a total of 32 semester hours, including two semesters of participation in a 15-hour-per-week practicum experience focused on athletic performance enhancement or youth development. The program can be completed within one academic year of full-time study (September to May).

Courses

Required for all Sport Psychology EdM students.

• SED CE 650 Counseling Skills and Techniques in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• SED CE 705 Lifespan Development
• SED CE 737 Counseling: Philosophy, Theory, and Practice
• SED CE 746 Clinical Practice (2 semesters)
• SED DS 700 Advanced Seminar in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• SED PE 505 Foundations of Sport Science
• SED RS 600 Perspectives on Inquiry

One approved elective

The elective may include SED CE 847 Theories of Group Counseling, SED CT 524 Values in Physical Education and Sport, or SED PE 529 Psychology of Coaching Teams. The elective can also be completed in the summer by taking SED CE 620 Psychology of Performance Excellence or SED CE 630 Applied Positive Psychology.

The doctoral program in Counseling Psychology is based on a traditional scientist-practitioner model, emphasizing psychological theory and knowledge, as well as the development of counseling practitioner skills.

The curriculum is grounded in an educational/developmental model with intervention methods appropriate to the stage and phase of life of the individual and/or group. Personal trans-formations, whether positive or negative, are understood as the outcome of maturation, education, and experience.

The Counseling Psychology’s core program is based on research and theory in the foundational areas of psychology and counseling psychology, with specific emphasis on the contributions and practices of sport/performance psychology. In addition, it draws upon positive psychology, reflecting consideration of good character habits and strengths, with the goal of contributing to the wellness and flourishing of the individual, group, and/or community.

The program prepares students to work primarily in educational settings (such as college counseling centers and public and private schools) and with those whose goal is optimal performance (such as elite athletes, performing artists, teams, and sports organizations).

The Counseling Psychology program currently has six core faculty members, five of whom are licensed psychologists:

• Clinical Assistant Professor Amy Baltzell, EdD —Expertise in sport and performance psychology.
• Associate Professor Stephen M. Brady, PhD—Expertise in prevention of HIV and AIDS and gay/lesbian identity development.
• Clinical Associate Professor Steven N. Broder, PhD—Expertise in psychological assessment and counseling.
• Professor and Dean Hardin L. K. Coleman, PhD—Expertise in school counseling and minority student achievement.
• Professor Thomas Cottle, PhD —Expertise in children and adolescents at risk.
• Professor Leonard Zaichkowsky, PhD —Expertise in sport and performance psychology.

Licensure Track

The courses listed below are required of all Counseling Psychology doctoral students who intend to seek state licensure as psychologists. This program received designation status by the Association of State and Provincial Psychology Boards/National Registrar Joint Designation Project in May 2008. Designation qualifies graduates of the program to apply for licensure in Massachusetts and many other states. Requirements for licensure vary from state-to-state and students should check the requirements of states in which they seek licensure. Note that the Training Committee must approve other courses as substitutes for the courses listed below.

• CAS MA 614 Statistics
• CAS MA 684 Multivariate Analysis
• GSM MH 716 Career and Vocational Counseling
• GRS PS 761 Major Issues in Social Psychology
• GRS PS 770 Ethics in Psychology
• GRS PS 772 Clinical Psychological Assessment
• GRS PS 774 Clinical Psychological Assessment Lab
• GRS PS 791 Psychology of Social Oppression
• GRS PS 821 Learning
• GRS PS 829 Clinical Neuropsychology
• SED CE 630 Applied Positive Psychology
• SED CE 650 Counseling Skills and Techniques in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• SED CE 847 Theories of Group Counseling
• SED CE 856 Pro-Seminar in Counseling Psychology
• SED CE 946 Advanced Practicum
• SED DS 504 Adolescent Development
• SED DS 700 Advanced Seminar in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• SED ED 703 Intellectual History of Education: Plato, Rousseau, James, Lewis
• SED PE 505 Foundations of Sport Science
• SED RS 652 Qualitative Research Methods
• SED RS 654 Educational Inquiry and Proposal Writing
• SED RS 750 Advanced Research Seminar
• STH TY 956 Near History of Psychology and Counseling Psychology
• SED LC 999 Dissertation Advisement

Nonlicensure Track

Doctoral students specializing in sport psychology who do not intend to seek licensure as psychologists will follow a different sequence of courses:

• CAS MA 614 Statistics
• CAS MA 684 Multivariate Analysis
• SED CE 630 Applied Positive Psychology
• SED CE 847 Theories of Group Counseling
• SED CE 650 Counseling Skills and Techniques in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• SED CE 946 Advanced Practicum
• SED CT 524 Institute on  Values in Physical Education and Sport
• SED DS 504 Adolescent Development
• SED DS 700 Advanced Seminar in Sport and Exercise Psychology
• SED ED 703 Intellectual History of Education: Plato, Rousseau, James, Lewis
• SED PE 505 Foundations of Sport Science
• SED PE 529 Psychology of Coaching Teams
• SED RS 652 Qualitative Research Methods
• SED RS 654 Foundations of Educational Inquiry
• SED RS 750 Advanced Research Seminar
• SED LC 999 Dissertation Advisement

Students in both the licensure and the nonlicensure tracks must pass two departmental comprehensive examinations before proceeding to the dissertation. The dissertation, written under the supervision of a faculty committee, must be based upon original research about a significant topic in the field.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Is a master’s degree required to enter the doctoral program?

A: Yes, a master’s degree is required. For students entering the licensure track program, the master’s must be in psychology.

Q: When are most of the doctoral classes held?

A: The School of Education schedules doctoral classes during late afternoon and evening hours or occasionally on Saturdays to accommodate students with professional responsibilities.

Q: Can I complete the doctoral program while holding a full-time job?

A: All students must complete the residency requirement, meaning all students must attend at full time rate for two consecutive semesters. Most non-licensure Counseling Psychology students do not hold full-time jobs. A full-time job is discouraged for licensure-track students because many courses and most practica are scheduled during the day.

Q: May I complete the program on a part-time basis?

A: All students must complete the residency requirement as noted above. It is possible for a non-licensure track student to complete the program on a part-time basis after completing residency. The licensure track does not accept part-time students.

Q: Do part-time graduate students pay a reduced tuition rate?

A: Yes. Part-time graduate students enrolled for School of Education classes offered after 4 p.m. may pay tuition at a reduced rate per credit (up to 11 credits).

Q: Is financial aid available?

A: Each academic year, the School of Education awards approximately $3.8 million in scholarship money to its full-time graduate students. Merit-based scholarships are currently available to many full-time students. Students with financial need may also qualify for federal loans and Federal Work-Study. EdD candidates are encouraged to apply by January 15. Please contact the School of Education Graduate Financial Assistance office for further information at sedaid@bu.edu.

The Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS) in counseling is open to individuals who have completed the master’s degree in counseling or a related area. Those seeking initial licensure as a school counselor or a license in mental health counseling may elect to earn a second master’s degree or earn a CAGS.

The CAGS program in counseling is also designed for individuals who are practicing professionals in an appropriate education, human development, or mental health position and who wish to upgrade their knowledge, skills, or license status. An individualized program of study developed on a contract basis between student and advisor can be completed in two semesters. Eight courses (32 credits) including a supervised clinical experience are required as well as completion of a comprehensive treatise.