Master of Arts in Counseling Psychology PROGRAM (MA)

The Master of Arts Program in Counseling Psychology prepares its graduates to function as professional mental health counselors. Designed to be completed in two years of full-time study, the program conforms to the current educational requirements for mental health counselor (LMHC) licensure in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The curriculum   consists of 60 semester credits and a minimum of 960 hours of field work distributed over two consecutive semesters of practicum-level field work and two consecutive semesters of internship. Consistent with MSPP tradition, a hallmark feature of the counseling program is the integration of classroom work with supervised field experience. Students are assigned to clinical field placements from their very first semester and participate in year-long, small-group seminars that are linked to their clinical practica and provide them with a forum for integrating their field experiences with their classroom work and addressing issues pertinent to their development as mental health professionals.

The Masters in Counseling Psychology curriculum also offers students opportunities to pursue concentrated elective course work that can help them acquire knowledge and skills relevant to working with particular populations and in particular settings. Although the primary goal of the program is to prepare master’s level clinicians, the curriculum will also provide students with some of the necessary foundations for pursuing further graduate study, should they choose to do so. Graduates of the program will be awarded a Master’s of Arts (M.A.) in Counseling Psychology.

Mental Health Counselors provide services to individuals, groups, families, and/or systems. They apply theories, principles, and methods of counseling and psychotherapy to define goals and develop plans of action aimed at the prevention, amelioration, and resolution of mental and emotional dysfunction. The practice of mental health counseling includes but is not limited to: the assessment and treatment of mental disorders; the
application of  psychoeducational and other techniques and measures aimed at prevention; and consultation to individuals; couples; families; groups; organizations; systems; and communities.

Apply to the Counseling Psychology Program

Updated 4/28/08