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School Counseling Program Overview
The Counseling, Developmental, and Educational Psychology (CDEP) department offers a 48 credit master's degree in School Counseling that meets the requirements of the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for initial licensure as a school counselor for grades Pre-K through 12.
The M.A. in Mental Health Counseling begins in the fall semester. Students typically complete this program in two years, taking 16 courses in the fall, spring, and summer semesters.
For more information on each of the aspects of the degree program, please see below or select the appropriate link.
If you continue to have questions, please contact the Graduate Student Services team (gadofc@bc.edu).
Your Support Team
Your Support Team
Program Director and Faculty Advisors
Program Director and Faculty Advisors
The Program Director oversees the M.A. in School Counseling. Prior to being assigned a faculty advisor, you can reach out to your Program Director with any questions related to your program. They are a great resource as you move through your program.
Each student is assigned a Faculty Advisor. Your advisor will help you choose your courses and plan your Program of Study. They will provide guidance about course waivers, transfer credits, and leaves of absence, as needed. They are a great resource to discuss your career and long-term plans as well as your goals for the program and should be your main point of contact once assigned.
It is crucial to stay in contact with your faculty advisor as you move through your program. Please ensure schedule regular meetings to discuss academic and professional plans. This includes drafting your Program of Study for review, sharing details about your career goals, discussing academic options (substituting a course, taking a course outside of BC, transferring credits, etc.), and checking in to ensure you are meeting program milestones.
Not sure who your Faculty Advisor is?
Email the Graduate Office (gadofc@bc.edu) and our team is happy to connect you with your advisor.
Graduate Student Services
Graduate Student Services
The Graduate Student Services team supports students with everything from course registration to financial aid, and general student support. Please contact us with any questions.
Carolyn Looker
Graduate Financial Aid
Kaitlyn Solano
Graduate Student Services
Bella Esposito
Graduate Student Support
Carolyn McDonald
Graduate Student Services
Not sure who to reach out to?
Our team manages different inboxes that are the fastest way to get in touch.
Course Registration: lynchgradcourseregistration@bc.edu
Financial Aid: gsoe@bc.edu
General Questions: gradoffice@bc.edu
Student Support: gsehdstudentsupport@bc.edu
Academic Planning & Advising
Academic Planning & Advising
Program of Study
Program of Study
The School Counseling Program is structured to be completed full-time in two years, with courses taken in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. Please review the appropriate School Counseling Program of Study. You will find all of the requirements for your degree listed.
All School Counseling Programs of Study are due on 11/1 during your first semester of enrollment. Please see Programs of Study for more information on how to complete and submit your final Program of Study.
Program Completion
Program Completion
Practicum Requirements
Practicum Requirements
Prior to completing the practicum, all students complete a pre-practicum field placement (APSY7805). This is a part-time placement in a PreK-12 school that occurs one day each week during the first spring semester. After the successful completion of the pre-practicum, students must complete a full practicum experience (APSY7806/7807). This is a year-long field placement that occurs during the fall/spring semester. Students are expected to work 24 hours per week, completing 600 hours of counseling experience.
To successfully complete the placement requirements and be endorsed by Boston College, students must also demonstrate proficiency on the Massachusetts Professional Standards for Specialized Instructional Support Personnel. Students' proficiency is based upon the Summative Assessment completed by the Supervising Practitioner during the spring semester.
Comprehensive Examination
Comprehensive Examination
At the end of January of the second year of the Program, students must pass a written Comprehensive Examination in the form of a multiple-choice test. The test will be composed of several case studies, followed by multiple choice questions derived directly from the case. Students will be able to receive the cases approximately one month in advance of the exam. Students must register for APSY8100 Master's Comprehensives for the semester they are taking the exam. In addition, an approved, up-to-date Program of Studies form must be submitted along with a Master’s Comprehensive Exam Request.
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