School Counseling (PreK-8, 5-12)

In our fast-moving global community, today’s youths find themselves maneuvering through a multitude of complicated personal and social development barriers. Economic hurdles. Strained family dynamics. Transitional stress. Now more than ever, school counselors play a pivotal role in guiding students toward academic excellence in the face of these sometimes formidable hurdles.

The School Counseling program at Bridgewater State University provides you with the solid leadership and skills required to excel as a school counselor in today’s often challenging academic environment. This advanced degree program offers the training, fieldwork and multi-tasking experience necessary to guide students to success.

The School Counseling (PreK-8, 5-12) is offered as a Master's (MEd) and a Postmaster's Licensure program.

- Diverse faculty with extensive experience in a variety of school counseling settings
- Development of critical thinking skills, as well as oral and written communication capabilities
- Professional development opportunities at local, state and national levels
- Opportunities to actively participate in state, local and national conferences and gatherings
- Small classes facilitating a more personalized learning experience
- Professional leadership skills and development
- Affordable tuition, whether you live in state or out of state

Program Chair: D r. Kate Bender

Application Deadlines

Fall: February 1
Spring: October 1
Summer: February 1
Late applications will not be accepted. Applications will not be reviewed until after the application deadline

Admissions Requirements

Online application and $50 application fee
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
Resume
Three letters of recommendation from professionals or educators
Personal statement
Undergraduate GPA of 3.00
- If undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0, applicant shall either submit GRE scores or complete a low GPA remedy. There is one exception to this rule: if candidate holds a Master’s degree, no further action required
  - If undergraduate GPA is 2.80-2.99, a combined GRE of 291 is required
  - If undergraduate GPA is 2.50-2.79, a combined GRE of 292 is required
- Low GPA remedy: If undergraduate GPA is less than 3.0 and applicant does not submit GRE scores, if they complete any two (2) of the following courses at BSU and earn a grade of B or above, they will be considered for admission

Applicant Screening Process

Admissions Interview Day is an opportunity for faculty to assess the applicant's potential for employment as a professional helper or counseling professional. The department will host one interview day in each of the Fall and Spring semesters. Admissions interview day is a required part of the application process and applicants should plan to attend the entire day. Applicants who meet the admission criteria will be invited to participate in admissions interview day and will receive additional information about dates and times directly from the department.

Admissions Interview Day for Spring 2025 will be 11/1/24
Admissions Interview Day for Summer and Fall 2025 will be 2/28/25

Admissions Requirements (Postmaster's Licensure)

Online application and $50 application fee
Resume
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
A master’s degree in counseling or related field (i.e., social work or clinical psychology), which included an applied counseling internship with formal supervision
A 3.5 cumulative GPA in the master’s program
- If master’s degree GPA is a 3.0-3.49, candidate must submit GRE General Test with combined score (Verbal & Quantitative) of 297
Demonstration of successful experience in a counseling capacity
Three letters of recommendation from professionals or educators outside of the BSU Department of Counselor Education, at least one of which should be from a supervisor who has knowledge of the applicant’s counseling activities
Personal statement
Qualifying scores on the Communication and Literacy Skills portions of the Massachusetts Tests of Educator Licensure (MTEL)

*Candidates who already hold a master’s degree are not required to take the GRE, but may be asked to do so by the Department of Counselor Education if their graduate GPA does not meet the minimum requirement.

Applicant Screening Process

Candidates who meet the above criteria will be invited to an admissions interview. The Admissions Day interview is an opportunity for faculty to assess the applicant's potential for employment as a professional counselor.

Application Deadlines

Fall: February 1
Spring: October 1
Summer: February 1

Apply Today

Funding Opportunities

The College of Graduate Studies provides various opportunities for graduate students to receive funding while working towards their degrees. Appointments are competitive and are determined by undergraduate and/or graduate grade point averages, pertinent experience, educational preparation and interviews. For information on assistantships, fellowships and conference funding awards, please visit our Graduate Funding Opportunities page.

The MEd program in School Counseling is eligible for unsubsidized student loans and applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more specific questions, please visit the Financial Aid Office website or contact them directly at finaid@bridgew.edu.

Required General counseling courses
CNGC 500 - Research and Evaluation

CNGC 520 - Group Experience (non-credit; graded on a (P) Pass/(N) No Pass basis)

CNGC 528 - Counseling Theories and Techniques
CNGC 529 - Multicultural Counseling

CNGC 532 - Psychological Assessment
CNGC 538 - Group I: Theory and Process of Group Interaction
CNGC 539 - Introduction to Career Counseling
CNGC 583 - Crisis and Trauma Counseling

Required School counseling courses
CNSC 515 - Ethical and Legal Issues for the School Counselor
CNSC 516 - Foundations in School Counseling

CNSC 517 Evidence-Based School Counseling Practices

CNSC 520 Development through the Lifespan for the School Counselor

CNSC 521 Clinical Issues in School Counseling
CNSC 524 - Applied School Counseling
CNSC 526 - Consultation and Collaboration for School Counselors

Required fieldwork
Students will meet with their advisor to plan their fieldwork experience. Students will need to complete 600 hours of fieldwork in a minimum of two semesters and a maximum of four semesters. Students may work 10‑30 hours per 15 week semester and will register for three credits for each 150 hours of fieldwork they will complete that semester. For example, 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. Students must attend a clinical seminar each semester they are involved in field experience.

PreK-8 fieldwork
CNSC 570 - Advanced Applied Counseling - School Counselor: (PreK-8) (100 hours; 3 credits)
CNSC 571 - Practicum: School Counselor (PreK-8) (600 hours; 12 credits)

Grade 5-12 fieldwork
CNSC 580 - Advanced Applied Counseling - School Counselor: (5-12) (100 hours; 3 credits)
CNSC 581 - Practicum: School Counselor (5-12) (600 hours; 12 credits)

Electives
Three (3) Credits of Electives. Students are required to take 3 credits of Electives at the 500 level or above

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 departments of counselor education faculty members.

Total minimum required credits: 60

Syllabus template available upon request. Please contact the Department of Counselor Education Administrative Assistant for more information.

***For the most up-to-date information regarding course descriptions, please visit our University Catalog.

The Postmaster’s Licensure program is designed for individuals who seek initial licensure as a school counselor, and who possess an applied master’s degree in counseling or a related field (e.g., social work, clinical psychology), which has included a formal, supervised internship experience.

Required general counseling core courses

CNGC 500 - Research and Evaluation

CNGC 520 - Group Experience (non-credit; graded on a (P) Pass/(N) No Pass basis)

CNGC 528 - Counseling Theories and Techniques

CNGC 529 - Multicultural Counseling

CNGC 532 - Psychological Assessment

CNGC 538 - Group I: Theory and Process of Group Interaction

CNGC 539 - Introduction to Career Counseling

CNGC 583 - Crisis and Trauma Counseling

School Counseling required courses

CNSC 515 - Ethical and Legal Issues for the School Counselor

CNSC 516 - Foundations in School Counseling

CNSC 517 - Evidence Based School Counseling Practices

CNSC 520 - Development through the Lifespan for School Counselors

CNSC 521 - Clinical Issues in School Counseling

CNSC 524 - Applied School Counseling

CNSC 526 - Consultation and Collaboration for School Counselors

PreK-8 fieldwork

CNSC 570 - Advanced Applied Counseling - School Counselor: (PreK-8) (100 hours; 3 credits)

CNSC 571 - Practicum: School Counselor (PreK-8) (600 hours; 12 credits)

Grade 5-12 fieldwork

CNSC 580 - Advanced Applied Counseling - School Counselor: (5-12) (100 hours; 3 credits)

CNSC 581 - Practicum: School Counselor (5-12) (600 hours; 12 credits)

Total minimum credits: 54

Syllabus template available upon request. Please contact the Department of Counselor Education Administrative Assistant for more information.

***For the most up-to-date information regarding course descriptions, please visit our University Catalog.

Mission Statement and Program Objectives:
The principle mission of the Department of Counselor Education at Bridgewater State University is to prepare high quality master’s level counselors for various settings in Massachusetts and the nation. More specifically, we prepare; quality School Counselors to serve students, families, and communities in PreK-12 educational settings; Clinical Mental Health Counselors to serve individuals, families, and/or groups in community, non-profit, or private agencies; and Student Affairs Counselors to serve as academic advisors, career advisors, residential hall advisors, or likewise in institutes of higher education.

Program Objectives
Our objectives are to:

Guide students in understanding their roles and responsibilities within the ethical and legal guidelines germane to counseling and student affairs professions.
Foster the development of expertise in counseling skills.
Instill a commitment to uphold best practices within counseling and student affairs professions.
Cultivate diversity and social justice competence within counseling and student affairs professions.