PSYCHOLOGY: MASTER OF ARTS
Mental Health Counseling/Clinical Emphasis or School Guidance Emphasis
Admission to the program is competitive. Minimum entrance requirements include an
earned baccalaureate degree with an undergraduate cumulative grade point average of 2.7,
a psychology grade point of 3.0 based on at least 12 semester hours of course work, a
combined score of 950 on the verbal and quantitative sections of the Graduate Record
Examination or a raw score of 45 on the Miller Analogies Test.
Prerequisite Courses:
1. A course in General Psychology
2. Child or Adolescent Psychology
3. Theories of Personality
4. Abnormal Psychology
5. A Course in Statistics (Psychology, Mathematics, or Business)
Description of the Program
The Department of Psychology offers a 48-credit graduate program in psychology
designed to serve the student who plans to enter the fields of psychology after receiving
the M.A. The program offers two specialized tracks, one in school guidance and one in
mental health counseling.
School Guidance Counseling Track
Completion of the course of study for school guidance counselors offers the students the
opportunity to apply for Massachusetts certification as guidance counselors. The program
of study for school guidance counselors consists of thirty-three (33) credits of required
core courses, nine (9) credits of approved electives, and six (6) credits of practicum
(450 hours). Prepracticum requirements for certification are included in several courses.
Mental Health Counseling Track
Completion of the mental health counseling track is the first step toward fulfillment of
Massachusetts mental health counselor licence. Successful completion of these 48 credits,
combined with 12 additional credits (and other requirements, as outlined by 262 CMR,
Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professions) will offer students the
opportunity to apply for licensure as mental health counselors. The program of study for
mental health counselors consists of thirty-three (33) credits of required core courses, six
(6) credits of approved electives, and nine (9) credits of internship (600 hours). Practicum
requirements for licensure are included in several core courses, as well as two supervision
classes.
To accommodate students who work and/or have other substantial demands placed upon
their time, courses are offered during the evenings, late afternoon, or on Saturdays.
Important exceptions to this schedule are the Prepracticum, Praticum and Internship
experiences. While some placements permit flexible scheduling, many place restrictions
on scheduling. Since these experiences are an essential component of counselor training,
students must plan for the flexibility that will allow them to complete these requirements.
Please note that many of these courses have prerequisites. Check the course catalogs for
the latest information.
MENTAL HEALTH COUNSELING - 48 credits
Required Courses: (33s.h.)
PSYC 0522 Theories of Counseling
PSYC 0523 Counseling: Theory and Practice*
PSYC 0603 Psychopathology- Diagnosis and Treatment
PSYC 0610 Principles & Practices of Psychological Testing*
PSYC 0617 Quantitative Methods for Psychologists
PSYC 0618 Basic and Evaluative Research
PSYC 0620 Dynamics of Group Counseling*
PSYC 0623 Advanced Counseling
PSYC 0630 Advanced Development
PSYC 0640 Ethics and Standards in the Mental Health Profession
PSYC 0570 Professional Orientation
PSYC 0572 Supervision I*
PSYC 0670 Supervision II*
*Practicum hours for licensure
Elective Courses: (6s.h.)
PSYC 0520 Advanced Behavior Analysis
PSYC 0562 Alcoholism: Causes, Effects and Treatment
PSYC 0564 Drugs and Behavior
PSYC 0601 Psychological Theories and Practices in Career Development
PSYC 0613 Principles & Practices of Guidance in Educational & Community Services
PSYC 0616 Principles of Family Counseling
(4 additional courses are needed to meet the Massachusetts licensure requirement)
Internship Requirements (9 credits - 600 hours)
Requirements for Master's Degree:
Students are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive examination to
demonstrate mastery knowledge gained in course work and to relate concepts across the
curriculum. The comprehensive exam may be taken after completing a minimum of 33s.h.
Of required coursework within the Master's program.
GUIDANCE COUNSELING - 48 credits
Required Courses (33 credits)
PSYC 0522 Theories of Counseling**
PSYC 0523 Counseling: Theory and Practice**
PSYC 0601 Psychological Theories and Practice in Career Development**
PSYC 0603 Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment
PSYC 0610 Principles and Practices of Psychological Testing**
PSYC 0613 Principles and Practices of Guidance in Educational and Community
Services**
PSYC 0617 Quantitative Methods for Psychologists
PSYC 0618 Basic and Evaluation Research
PSYC 0623 Advanced Counseling
PSYC 0630 Advanced Development
PSYC 0640 Ethics and Standards in the Mental Health Profession
**Prepracticum hours for certification
Elective Courses (9s.h.)
PSYC 0520 Advanced Behavior Analysis
PSYC 0562 Alcoholism: Causes, Effects and Treatment
PSYC 0564 Drugs and Behavior
PSYC 0616 Principles of Family Counseling
PSYC 0620 Dynamics of Group Counseling
EDUC 06xx Special Education (in Education Department)
Practicum Requirements (6 credits - 450 hours)
Requirements for Master's Degree:
Students are required to successfully complete a written comprehensive examination to
demonstrate mastery of knowledge gained in coursework and to relate concepts across
the curriculum. The comprehensive exam may be taken after completing a minimum of
33s.h. of required coursework within the Master's program.