Student Affairs Counseling, MEd

The Master of Education (MEd) in Student Affairs Counseling at Bridgewater State University can provide you with the solid leadership and management skills required to excel in student affairs in a time when the relationship between students and educators is constantly evolving. If you are committed to helping the leaders of the future succeed during this formative period of their youth, this program can help you do more to provide a positive leadership role. Graduates of the Student Affairs Counseling Program are trained to utilize skills in counseling and program development and implementation in a variety of higher education and student affairs settings such as: residence life, student activities, student leadership, academic advising and career services.

The Master of Education in Student Affairs Counseling offers you:

- Diverse faculty with extensive experience in various fields of student affairs counseling
- Students have the opportunity to garner valuable insight through internships and through participating in national student affairs counseling conferences
- Development of critical thinking skills, as well as oral and written communication capabilities
- Small classes facilitating a more personalized learning experience
- Affordable tuition, whether you live in state or out of state

Graduate Program Director: Dr. Kate Bender

Admissions Requirements:

Online application and $50 application fee
Resume
Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
A minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 2.8
- A minimum graduate GPA of 3.5 is required if the candidate holds a master’s degree
GRE General Test scores (Combined Verbal & Quantitative)
- If undergraduate GPA is 3.00 or higher, then the GRE requirement is waived.
- If undergraduate GPA is a 2.80-2.99, then a combined GRE score of 291 or higher is needed.
- If undergraduate GPA is 2.50-2.79, then a combined GRE score of 292+ is needed.
- If candidate holds a master’s degree and GPA is a 3.5 or higher, GRE requirement is waived.
- If candidate holds a master’s degree and GPA is a 3.0-3.49, a combined GRE score of 297 is needed.
Three letters of recommendation from professionals or educators outside of the BSU Department of Counselor Education
Personal statement

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. Admissions Day is held on the third Friday of March and the third Friday of November each year

Application Deadlines

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

Apply Today

Curriculum

Core Courses
CNGC 500 - Research and Evaluation
CNGC 520 - Group Experience (Pass/No Pass)
CNGC 528 - Counseling Theories and Techniques for Student Affairs
CNGC 529 - Multicultural Counseling
CNGC 538 - Group I: Theory and Process of Group Interaction
CNGC 539 - Introduction to Career Counseling

School Affairs Core Courses
CNSA 510 - Student Development Theory in Higher Education
CNSA 515 - Foundations in Higher Education Counseling for Student Affairs Practice
CNSA 520 - Ethical, Legal and Professional Issues in Students Affairs
CNSA 525 - Student Affairs Administration
CNSA 530 - Helping Skills for Student Affairs Professionals

Student Affairs Internship
CNSA 571 - Internship: Student Affairs Counseling (300 hours)

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

Total minimum credits: 39

Additional Information:

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.

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.

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 Student Affairs 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.

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.