M.A. in Counseling Psychology, School Counseling Specialization 48 credits
The M.A. in Counseling Psychology, School Counseling Specialization program provides the required graduate training for individuals who wish to work as school counselors in primary and secondary school settings. Graduates are eligible for Initial Licensure in school counseling from the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education at grade levels PreK-8 or 5-12.
- This program can be completed in two academic years of full-time study.
- 700 hours of field experience are required.
- Students must pass the Communication and Literacy section of the Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) prior to field training.
Program of Study
Required Core Courses
| GCOUN 6015 | Group Dynamics for Counselors and Consultants | 3 |
| GCOUN 6026 | Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan* | 3 |
| GCOUN 6027 | Clinical Skills and the Counseling Process* | 3 |
| GCOUN 6029 | Vocational Development and Career Counseling | 3 |
| GCOUN 6030 | Psychology of Culture and Identity: Power, Privilege and Oppression* | 3 |
| GCOUN 6101 | Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods | 3 |
| GCOUN 6200 | Orientation to Professional Counseling and Psychology* | 2 |
| GCOUN 6201 | Issues and Standards in Professional Counseling* | 3 |
| GCOUN 6202 | Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy* | 3 |
| GCOUN 6255 | Assessments for Counseling and Psychology: Children and Adolescents | 3 |
| GCOUN 6211 | Professional Integrative Seminar | 1 |
| GCOUN 7100 | Biological Bases of Behavior | 3 |
Required Specialization Courses
| GCOUN 6260 | Issues in School Counseling for School Guidance Counselors | 3 |
| GCOUN 6102 | Child and Adolescent Psychopathology* | 3 |
| | |
| GCOUN 6252 | Counseling the Young Child and Play Therapy | 3 |
| OR | |
| GCOUN 6254 | Counseling Adolescents | 3 |
| OR | |
| GCOUN 6031 | Counseling Young Children and Adolescents | 3 |
Field Experience Courses
| GCOUN 7712 | Clinical Practice and Supervision I: School Setting** | 3 |
| GCOUN 7713 | Clinical Practice and Supervision II: School Setting** | 3 |
For current information on state testing requirements for Initial Licensure programs and for Massachusetts Tests for Educator Licensure (MTEL) test administration dates in Massachusetts, see Lesley's Certification Office website at https://lesley.edu/academics/graduate-school-of-education/certification-and-educator-licensure or the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education's website at www.doe.mass.edu/mtel/. Students should also review Lesley University's MTEL policy, which can be found at the end of the School of Education program listings in this catalog.