FAQs
School Counseling Program
University of Massachusetts Boston
FAQ’s
How long does it take to complete the program?
Students can complete the program in two years attending full-time (summer coursework may be necessary) but have the option to complete the degree part-time. Students who attend part-time typically complete the degree in 3-4 years. Students have up to 6 years to complete the program.
What time of the day are classes held?
Classes meet once per /week during the fall and spring semesters and are held at 4pm and 7pm.
How do I get licensed as a school counselor?
Our program prepares you to meet the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education licensure requirements for School Counseling (Guidance) at the K-8 or 5-12 level. You will be endorsed for licensure upon completion of the program.
Can I get licensed or certified in another state as a school counselor?
Typically, your state’s Department of Education posts licensure or certification requirements online. You can compare those requirements with our program requirements. Because Massachusetts’ licensure requirements are quite stringent, our program may meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in your state.
What about accreditation?
Our university is regionally accredited through NEASC (New England Association of Schools and Colleges). For more info, please visit: http://www.umb.edu/academics/provost/accreditation.html.
Where can I learn more about school counseling?
Check out the website for the American School Counselor Association (ASCA): http://www.schoolcounselor.org/ and the website for the Massachusetts School Counselor Association: http://www.masca.org/. These are helpful sites in finding out more about the profession.
How many courses do I have to take to complete the master’s degree program?
Students take a total of 18 courses (including 3 field-based courses: practicum and internship) for a total of 60 credits.
Is there are final culminating project required for the master’s degree?
Yes, students complete a capstone project, which is a culminating project of the master’s degree program. The capstone is completed during the internship seminar. It is a portfolio that highlights your experiences during the internship. It also incorporates the course work you have completed throughout the program.
How many practicum and internship hours do I complete?
The practicum is a total of 100 hours and the internship is a total of 600 hours (300 hours/semester).
What is the difference between the practicum and internship?
The practicum is an introduction to practice as a school counselor. During the internship, the student assumes greater responsibility for a full range of school counselor activities.
Can I take a class or two to see what the program is like?
It is possible to take courses as a non-degree student as long as there is space available in the course and you have met the pre-requisites. Students can transfer up to 6 graduate credits (2 courses) taken at UMass Boston into the program as long as a grade of B or better is earned and you are accepted into the program. Typically, non-degree registration is held just before the semester begins. You can contact Kevin Ziomek (kevin.ziomek@umb.edu) to find out when non-degree registration for the upcoming semester will be held.
How much does it cost to attend?
You can get information about tuition and fees at http://www.umb.edu/bursar/tuition_and_fees/.
What opportunities for funding exist?
We offer a limited number of graduate research and administrative assistantships in our department. The assistantships fully waive tuition and provide a ¼ fee waiver and small stipend. Students receiving a graduate assistantship within our department work 5 hours/week. Students can apply once they are accepted to the program. There are also graduate assistantship opportunities offered across the university. These opportunities often provide larger fee waivers and stipends and require 10-20 hours/week of work. You can search for these positions under employment opportunities at http://www2.www.umb.edu/human_resource/job_hr/search.html. Students can also apply for financial aid by filling out the FAFSA: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
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