UMass Boston

To apply to the program, students must submit:

• A completed application and application fee. Application fees are waived for veterans, McNair scholars, and UMass Boston alumni. A limited number of additional application fee waivers are available on a first come first serve basis by request.
• Two letters of recommendation where at least one letter should be from a person who knows your academic work. We strongly recommend getting letters from professors whenever possible but we will accept a letter of recommendation from a supervisor if you have been out of a school for some time.
• A statement of purpose detailing your goals, professional experience, and reasons for applying to the program. Your essay should consist of your reasons for wishing to pursue graduate study in 300 words (part 1). Then, indicate your specific interests and discuss the kind of work you would like to do in your intended field in no more than 1200 words (part 2).
• Official undergraduate and graduate official transcripts from all universities you attended. All transcripts must be official and sealed.
• Please include an updated résumé
• Optional: writing sample
• Other: one year of experience in the field (preferred)
• All application materials can be submitted online or mailed to UMass Boston’s Office of Graduate Admissions at:
  • UMass Boston Graduate Admissions
    100 Morrissey Boulevard
    Boston, MA 02125

Deadlines: January 2 for summer online; January 1 (priority) and February 1 (final) for fall on-campus

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.

Estimate Your Program Cost: Get a feel for your expected program costs using the Graduate Program Cost Calculator.

Program Cost Information: For more detailed information on costs, please visit the Bursar's website.

Core Courses (48 Credits)

• COUNSL 601 - Research and Evaluation in Psychology 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 605 - Principles of Vocational, Educational, and Psychological Assessment 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 606 - Ethical Standards and Professional Issues in Counseling 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 615 - Counseling Theory and Practice II 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 616 - Group Counseling and Group Dynamics 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 617 - Child and Adolescent Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 620 - Life Span Human Development 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 653 - Sociocultural Considerations in Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 665 - Trauma and Crisis Counseling 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 666 - Sex and Sexuality in Counseling Practice 3 Credit(s)
• COUNSL 667 - Counseling Families and Couples: Theories and Practice 3 Credit(s)
  COUNSL 670 - Substance Abuse in Counseling Practice 3 Credit(s)
  COUNSL 674 - Psychopharmacology for Counselors 3 Credit(s)

Field Work Courses (12 Credits)

• COUNSL 699 - Advanced Practice I and II 6 Credit(s) - complete two times

For more information on curriculum, including course descriptions and degree requirements, visit the Academic Catalog.

Students can tailor their training through concentrations. Alongside our long-standing School Adjustment Counseling concentration, we are launching new specialized concentrations focused on communities with high mental health needs.

School Adjustment Counseling Concentration

Students in both the online and on-campus programs can add the school adjustment counseling concentration to their plan of study. It makes them eligible for Department of Elementary and Secondary Education K–12 initial licensure as a school adjustment counselor. The concentration requires one additional course and additional internship hours.

New: Specialized Population-Focused Concentrations

Our new concentrations prepare counselors to serve communities with high mental health needs. Each is completed within the 60-credit degree at no added cost and includes three components:

• at least 40 hours of focused training with campus and community partners
• a year-long internship serving the concentration’s community
• a capstone centered on a client from that community

Veteran and Military Family Mental Health Concentration
Developed in partnership with UMass Boston’s William Joiner Institute for the Study of War and Social Consequences, this concentration prepares counselors to support veterans, service members, and their families.

Asian American Mental Health Concentration
Developed in partnership with UMass Boston’s Institute for Asian American Studies, this concentration prepares counselors to provide culturally responsive care to Asian American individuals, families, and communities.

Psycho-Oncology Concentration
Developed in partnership with clinicians and researchers at Massachusetts General Hospital and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, this concentration prepares counselors to support people with cancer, survivors, and their families.

More concentrations coming soon. Additional concentrations are in development with partners across campus and the community, as part of our commitment to expanding access to mental health care for communities that need it most. Check back for updates.

Complete 60 credits from 18 courses including 16 core courses and two field work course.

Capstone: Completion of a clinical case study.

Practicum: Complete 100 hours of practicum experience. A practicum must include a minimum of 40 hours of direct service work with clients, 10 hours of individual supervision by an approved supervisor, and 10 hours of group supervision, and 10 hours of either group or individual supervision by an approved supervisor.

Statute of limitations: Six years.

Counseling MEd/CAGS

Mental Health Counseling MS Student Admissions, Outcomes, and Other Data

Contact an admissions counselor at csp.admissions@umb.edu

SARA Compliance, Disclosure & Dispute Resolution

Thia program prepares you for licensure in the state of Massachusetts. Please contact the Massachusetts state licensing board for further information: https://www.mass.gov/allied-mental-health-professions-licensing.

If you do not reside in Massachusetts, it is important to note that licensing is regulated by the states, and the requirements for licensure for counselors vary considerably from state to state. We therefore strongly urge you to research the counselor licensing regulations in your state. Please visit https://nbcc.org/resources/searchdirectories/stateboard#state-board for more information. If you are going to pursue licensure in another state post-graduation, we work with you in the initial stages of your time at UMass Boston to ensure that you have the coursework required by your state. We have also provided letters to licensing boards post-graduation to support our students’ licensure.

For any questions, please do not hesitate to reach out to Program Director Dr. Kerrie Wilkins-Yel (kerrie.wilkins@umb.edu). For more disclosure information, please see https://www.umb.edu/academics/sara-compliance-and-dispute-resolution/.