M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Trauma Studies Specialization 60 credits
This specialization is designed to help students develop a strong biopsychosocial theoretical framework in trauma work. The curriculum includes an overview of trauma theory and practice, as well as focus on specific client populations and topics. Students can combine different trauma courses that match their interests and specific populations they plan to work with as a counselor. The program meets the educational requirements for master's-level counseling licensure in Massachusetts and most states.
- This program can be completed in three academic years of full-time study.
- 700 hours of field experience are required with an option of taking an additional 600-hour second internship.
For the university's transfer credit policy for this and other programs, see the Transfer of Credits page.
Program of Study
Required Core Courses
| GCOUN 6007 | Psychopathology | 3 |
| OR | |
| GCOUN 6102 | Child and Adolescent Psychopathology | 3 |
| 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 |
| OR | |
| GCOUN 6300 | Theories of Holistic Counseling and Psychotherapy I | 3 |
| and | |
| GCOUN 6301 | Theories of Holistic Counseling and Psychotherapy II* | 3 |
| | |
| GCOUN 6205 | Assessments for Counseling and Psychology: Adults | 3 |
| OR | |
| 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
For the ONE Internship Option (4 trauma courses minimum: GCOUN 6035 +3 trauma courses):
| GCOUN 6035 | Psychological Trauma and Post-Trauma Therapy | 3 |
In addition to GCOUN 6035, pick any 3 courses from the following approved list of trauma courses:
| GCOUN 7200 | Disaster Mental Health and Community Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| GCOUN 7201 | Trauma in the Lives of Children and Adolescents and Play Therapy | 3 |
| GCOUN 7202 | Global Topics in Transgenerational and Ecological Trauma | 3 |
| GCOUN 6034 | Treating the Addictions | 3 |
| GCOUN 6043 | Issues in Counseling Veterans | 1 |
| OR | |
| GCOUN 7007 | Counseling Veterans: Intervention Strategies | 3 |
Additional Trauma courses might become available during a specific semester and can only be taken as a substitute with the permission of the Trauma Specialization Coordinator and the Associate Director of Advising in Counseling and Psychology.
GCOUN 7200 and GCOUN 7201 require GCOUN 6035 as a prerequisite.
For the TWO Internship Option (3 trauma courses minimum; GCOUN 6035 +2 trauma courses):
| GCOUN 6035 | Psychological Trauma and Post-Trauma Therapy | 3 |
In addition to GCOUN 6035, pick any 2 courses from the following approved list of trauma courses:
| GCOUN 7200 | Disaster Mental Health and Community Crisis Intervention | 3 |
| GCOUN 7201 | Trauma in the Lives of Children and Adolescents and Play Therapy | 3 |
| GCOUN 7202 | Global Topics in Transgenerational and Ecological Trauma | 3 |
| GCOUN 6034 | Treating the Addictions | 3 |
| GCOUN 6043 | Issues in Counseling Veterans | 1 |
| OR | |
| GCOUN 7007 | Counseling Veterans: Intervention Strategies | 3 |
Additional Trauma courses might become available during a specific semester and can only be taken as a substitute with the permission of the Trauma Specialization Coordinator and the Associate Director of Advising in Counseling and Psychology.
GCOUN 7200 and GCOUN 7201 require GCOUN 6035 as a prerequisite.
Field Experience Courses
For the ONE Internship Option:
| GCOUN 7710 | Clinical Practice and Supervision I: Clinical Setting** | 3 |
| GCOUN 7711 | Clinical Practice and Supervision II: Clinical Setting** | 3 |
For the TWO Internship Option:
| GCOUN 7710 | Clinical Practice and Supervision I: Clinical Setting** | 3 |
| GCOUN 7711 | Clinical Practice and Supervision II: Clinical Setting** | 3 |
| GCOUN 7714 | Clinical Practice and Supervision III: Clinical Setting** | 3 |
| GCOUN 7715 | Clinical Practice and Supervision IV: Clinical Setting** | 3 |
Electives (3-6 credits)
For students who choose to complete one internship, they will have 6 credits for electives and 1 additional trauma course (12 credits minimum total in trauma courses) and all courses approved by their advisor. For students who choose to complete two internships, they will take the second set of supervision courses and have 3 remaining elective credits and 9 credits in trauma courses.