MA in Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine Program

The Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine is a rigorous program designed to meet the requirements for independent licensure in mental health counseling in the state of Massachusetts and other states. The primary objective of the program is to prepare individuals in mental health counseling with a complementary background in behavioral medicine and neuroscience. Specifically, the focus is to train master’s-level practitioners in assessment and intervention in a variety of settings, including those providing medical care. This is the first program of its kind in the United States and makes Boston University a leader in preparing master’s-level mental health clinicians.

Boston provides a wealth of opportunities for students. It is recognized as one of the leading health-care centers of the world. The Boston University Medical Campus, located in the South End of Boston, forms a semi-autonomous but integral part of Boston University. It consolidates the resources and activities of the School of Medicine, the School of Public Health, the Goldman School of Dental Medicine, and Boston Medical Center. Biosquare, a complex that houses specialized research facilities, biotechnology companies, and space for a forthcoming conference hotel and retail stores, is the newest addition to the area. The opportunities of academic and personal growth abound and we hope you will consider joining us.

Mission

Our mission is to provide master’s-level training and experience in mental health counseling within a diverse urban multicultural health context. The program utilizes a biopsychosocial model of health across the lifespan.

Program Description

The Mental Health Counseling & Behavioral Medicine Program is a two-year Master of Arts program. Together with post-degree clinical experience requirements and successful completion of a licensure exam, our graduates are able to provide direct clinical and counseling services to patients in a wide range of medical, research, mental health, and independent practice settings.

Our graduates have gone on to secure a wide range of positions, such as:

  • members of multidisciplinary treatment teams in medical settings
  • consultants to individuals seeking to make health-related lifestyle changes, including smoking cessation and weight management
  • members of the mental health staff in school settings
  • clinicians in day treatment and acute care settings
  • clinicians providing care in the context of clinical research

Students generally complete our program in two years of full-time study. Our curriculum consists of a combination of academic coursework and clinical experience. Students are encouraged to identify topics of interest, and are provided with education and experience related to those interests. They are also exposed to a wide array of patient populations, clinical topics, and career paths.

Students are very well trained in clinical assessment and diagnoses, theory and application, and modalities of care. Coursework, clinical experience, and exposure to inpatient medical units provide a foundation of knowledge in behavioral medicine and neuroscience, which makes it unlike any other program. Teaching faculty routinely integrate the interface of medical and mental health throughout the curriculum. Because we are housed in a teaching hospital, students have a unique opportunity to avail themselves of research, clinical, and training opportunities available throughout the hospital, and are exposed to cutting-edge therapies and interventions.

Program Highlights

  • MA degree awarded by the BU School of Medicine
  • Clinical and research experience in a dynamic hospital and medical school environment
  • Extensive clinical training with a wide array of patient populations and diagnostic groups
  • Experience promoting health behavior change for diverse populations
  • Challenging academic curriculum and emphasis on health psychology and neuroscience
  • Interdisciplinary teaching and supervisory faculty with extensive clinical and research expertise
  • Two-year full-time and three-year part-time curricula options
  • Consistent with requirements for independent licensure in Massachusetts and other states
  • Collaboration with the School of Social Work, School of Education, Genetic Counseling, Clinical Nutrition, and Master in Medical Sciences programs
  • Individual student mentoring in a caring and student-focused environment
  • Opportunity for student involvement as a member of a team conducting clinical research

Mental Health Counseling Experience

The program requires that students gain direct experiences in mental health counseling and receive close supervision and support throughout their training. The Boston Medical Center community provides a wealth of settings in which students can develop and refine their counseling skills.

Requirements of Program

Candidates are required to complete a minimum of 60 credit hours of coursework, clinical practica, and internship. It is anticipated that students will complete the program in two academic years. Accommodations are made for part-time students who complete the program in three years. The focus of the program is to prepare mental health counselors with additional expertise in promoting health behavior change.

The program curriculum is consistent with the professional standards recommended by the American Mental Health Counseling Association and is designed to meet the educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts as granted by the Massachusetts Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Service Professionals.

Curriculum

The emphasis of our program is on preparing students to provide effective and ethical clinical treatment for a variety of populations, disorders, and settings. Coursework is designed to augment on-site clinical experience and to prepare students for their work, as well as to promote insight of students’ relative strengths and weaknesses, areas of interest, and values.

Our course curriculum is structured in such a way as to provide instruction in basic skills during the first semester, so that students are best prepared to begin their on-site clinical training in the second semester of their first year. An introduction to science and neurology begins during the second semester. Students take a total of 30 credits during their first year. The first year practicum experience consists primarily of closely supervised and observed individual, group, and family therapy conducted in a variety of clinical settings. Students also meet in small groups with fellow students to process on-site experiences.

During year two, students are given an opportunity to explore more focused areas of interest by choosing elective courses. Students also attend a weekly Seminar Series throughout their two years in the program, during which time faculty and outside speakers present on a number of special topics, treatment modalities, and creative approaches to therapy. Other topics covered include the process for applying for licensure, opportunities for doctoral and other post-master’s training, and tips for applying for jobs post-graduation.

Clinically, students complete a year-long internship, where they gain more specialized skills working in a setting of interest. More details about clinical training sites can be found on our website.

Our curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the Massachusetts Allied Mental Health Professions Licensing Board so that students will have met the pre-degree course and clinical training requirements for licensure eligibility in the state of Massachusetts. Students are encouraged from the outset of their training to investigate the requirements of licensure for other states where they may relocate and are provided with support in ensuring that they complete the necessary coursework required to make them eligible for licensure in those states before they graduate.

The curriculum below is that in which the typical student is enrolled. There is some variability depending on clinical site schedules and other circumstances.

MHBM Program Curriculum 2011–2012
Year 1 (Fall Semester 2011)
  • GMS MH 701 Counseling Theory (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 703 Counseling Techniques (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 704 Group Work Dynamics and Process (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 705 Psychopathology (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 710 Basic Mental Health Assessment (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 901 Clinical Practicum I (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 814 Clinical Research Field Work Seminar**

Total semester hours: 18 credits

Year 1 (Spring Semester 2012)
  • GMS MH 706 Social and Cultural Foundations (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 709 Neuroscience for Mental Health Professionals (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 714 Behavioral Medicine & Applied Health Psychology (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 902 Clinical Practicum II (3 cr)

**Elective of students’ choice (including GMS MH 814 Clinical Research Field Work Seminar)

Total semester hours: 12–15 credits

Year 1 (Summer Session I)

A minimum of two academic courses are offered during Summer Session I each year. The specific courses vary from year to year, depending on students’ interests. Summer courses are optional in our program; no required courses are offered in summer that aren’t also offered during the fall/spring academic year. Most students who elect to take summer courses take both of the courses that we offer.

Total semester hours: 3–6 credits

Year 2 (Fall Semester 2012)
  • GMS MH 708 Human Growth and Development (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 712 Child and Family Therapy (3 cr)**
  • GMS MH 810 Psychopharmacology (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 812 Addictions (3 cr)**
  • GMS MH 922 Internship Supervision (6 cr)

Total semester hours: 12/18 credits

Year 2 (Spring Semester 2013)
  • GMS MH 702 Professional Orientation and Ethics (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 707 Research & Evaluation (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 713 Human Sexuality (3 cr)**
  • GMS MH 716 Career & Vocational Counseling (3 cr)**
  • GMS MH 922 Internship Supervision (6 cr)
  • Electives**

Total semester hours: 12–18 credits

Please direct all curriculum questions to Curriculum Director Dr. Berger-Greenstein at 617-414-2330 or jberger@bu.edu.

Core Course Requirements
  • GMS MH 701 Counseling Theory (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 702 Professional Orientation and Ethics (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 703 Counseling Techniques (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 704 Group Work Dynamics & Process (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 705 Psychopathology (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 706 Social, Cultural, and Spiritual Foundations (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 707 Research and Evaluation (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 708 Human Growth and Development (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 709 Neuroscience for Mental Health Professionals(3 cr)
  • GMS MH 710 Basic Mental Health Assessment (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 714 Behavioral Medicine and Applied Health Psychology (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 810 Psychopharmacology (3 cr)
Program Electives

All students are required to take at least 2 out of 4 of the program electives listed below.

  • GMS MH 712 Child and Family Therapy (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 713 Human Sexuality (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 716 Career and Vocational Counseling (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 812 Addictions (3 cr)

In addition to the above courses, a select number of students can enroll in our Clinical Research Field Work Seminar. This experience provides them with on-site laboratory training and experience working with a team conducting clinical research in fields such as Addictions and HIV/AIDS.

Practicum and Internship Requirements
  • GMS MH 901 Clinical Practicum I (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 902 Clinical Practicum II (3 cr)
  • GMS MH 921 Internship Supervision (12 cr)

Our students receive excellent practicum and internship training in a wide variety of sites, including Boston Medical Center and programs throughout the greater Boston area. Some of the populations our students serve include:

  • Child, Adolescent, Adult & Geriatric Populations
  • Emotional, Behavioral, Developmental & Medical Disorders
  • Severe & Chronic Mental Illness
  • Acute/Crisis Intervention
  • Trauma Recovery
  • Dual Diagnosis
  • Substance Abuse
  • Health Psychology
  • Mood Disorders
  • Personality Disorders
  • Forensic Psychiatry

Clinical training also differs by the nature of the site and specific modalities of treatment. Examples:

  • Inpatient Psychiatry
  • Outpatient Behavioral Health
  • Residential Treatment
  • Home-Based Services
  • Partial Hospitalization Programs
  • Middle School & High School Settings
  • College Counseling
  • Individual, Group & Family Interventions