UMass Boston

Applicants must meet general graduate admission requirements in addition to the following program-specific requirements:

• Undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or above
• Graduate GPA of 3.5 or above (required for CAGS applicants only)
• One (1) year of related experience (including volunteer work) in education, human services, or a related field
• Two (2) letters of recommendation
• Writing sample (optional)
• Other: interview may be requested

Deadlines: January 2 (priority) and February 15 (final) for summer

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis prior to the February 15 deadline. We recommend submitting your application as early as possible for the best chance of admittance. Most spots are already filled by the application deadline of February 15.

Note: If you’re having difficulty completing or submitting any application requirements, contact csp.admissions@umb.edu before the application deadline to discuss potential submission extensions or exceptions.

Application Fee: The nonrefundable application fee is $75. UMass Boston alumni and current students that plan to complete degree requirements prior to graduate enrollment can submit the application without paying the application fee.

Program Cost Information: Bursar's website

Required Courses (60 Credits)

• COUNSL 601 - Research and Evaluation in Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 605 - Principles of Vocational, Educational, and Psychological Assessment ;3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 608 - Psychopathology and Diagnosis 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 613 - Vocational Development and Career Information 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 614 - Counseling Theory and Practice I 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 617 - Child and Adolescent Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 620 - Life Span Human Development 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 630 - Orientation to Professional School Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 632 - Collaborative Consultation in Schools 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 633 - Professional, Ethical, and Legal Issues in School Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 635 - Behavioral Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 650 - Group Counseling for Children and Adolescents 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 653 - Sociocultural Considerations in Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 660 - College Readiness Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 665 - Trauma and Crisis Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 688 - Practicum 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 698 - Internship 6 Credit(s) - complete two semesters

Additional adjustment counseling courses:

• COUNSL 631 - Principles and Practices of School Adjustment Counseling
• COUNSL 674 - Psychopharmacology for Counselors

Note: The number and list of required courses for each student enrolled in the Counseling CAGS program is set after review of their graduate coursework.

Counseling MEd

Complete 60 credits from 18 required courses.

Capstone:

• Complete a capstone project consisting of three components: (1) an accountability school counseling practice, (2) a solution-focused case study, and (3) a parent and/or teacher workshop or professional presentation
• Complete a portfolio collection of Internship work samples is required to demonstrate skills and competencies in four areas: counseling, consultation, coordination, and curriculum.

Field experience: Complete 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship.
Exam: Prior to enrolling in the internship, students completing an internship and seeking licensure in Massachusetts must pass the literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test of Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Minimum grade: No content-based courses with a grade below B- may be applied toward the program. No practicum and internship courses with a grade below B may be applied toward the program.
Residency: No more than six credits from another institution may be applied toward the program. Transfer courses must be approved by the graduate program director.
Statute of limitations: Six years.

Counseling MEd: Adjustment Counseling Concentration

Complete 66 credits from 20 required courses.

Capstone:

• Complete a capstone project consisting of three components: (1) an accountability school counseling practice, (2) a solution-focused case study, and (3) a parent and/or teacher workshop or professional presentation
• Complete a portfolio collection of Internship work samples is required to demonstrate skills and competencies in four areas: counseling, consultation, coordination, and curriculum.

Field experience: Complete 850 hours of fieldwork and 600 hours of internship.
Exam: Prior to enrolling in the internship, students completing an internship and seeking licensure in Massachusetts must pass the literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test of Educator Licensure (MTEL).

Minimum grade: No content-based courses with a grade below B- may be applied toward the program. No practicum and internship curses with a grade below B may be applied toward the program.
Residency: No more than six credits from another institution may be applied toward the program. Transfer courses must be approved by the graduate program director.
Statute of limitations: Six years

Counseling CAGS

Complete a minimum of 18 to 30 credits from accepted prior graduate coursework and additional courses determined by the graduate program director.

The program of study is individually designed, based on prior graduate coursework completed within seven years of matriculation in the CAGS program at the University of Massachusetts Boston. A minimum of 18 credits are required for graduates of a counseling program at UMass Boston; a minimum of 30 credits is required for graduates of all other counseling programs. To meet licensure requirements, more than 30 credits may be required.

Fieldwork: Complete a 100-hour practicum and 450 to 600-hour internship.

To be eligible for the CAGS, applicants must have completed their master’s degree coursework in counseling within the last 7 years.

Minimum grade: No content courses with a grade below B- and practicum/internship courses with a grade below B may be applied toward the program.
Statute of limitations: Six years.

Mental Health Counseling MS

Counseling MEd/CAGS Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Graduate Program Director Amy Cook
amy.cook [@] umb.edu
(617) 287-3277

Counseling & School Psychology Graduate Programs
csp.admissions [at] umb.edu