Master of Arts (M.A) in Mental Health Counseling
Master of Arts (M.A) in Mental Health Counseling
The two-year Master of Arts program in Mental Health Counseling prepares students for careers as licensed mental health professionals, or to pursue further studies in psychology, counseling, or related fields. With its emphasis on social justice, this nationally accredited program will train you to serve the mental health needs of individuals, groups, communities, and systems, and to promote and advocate as necessary for social change.
With a student-faculty ratio of 11 to 1, our master’s program guides you through every stage of your professional training. Soon after you arrive at the Lynch School of Education and Human Development, an advisor and a student mentor will help introduce you to our rich and diverse on-campus community. During your second year, you will gain direct counseling experience during a yearlong practicum internship at an organization, school, or clinic in the Boston area. The Lynch School’s dedicated practicum experience team and extensive network will help you find the opportunities that best fit your professional aspirations and experience.
Curriculum
Through both academic and applied experiences, you’ll gain an understanding of developmental and cultural contexts that will help you understand and promote mental health and well-being in diverse communities. You’ll develop a solid background in counseling and mental health theory, develop strong counseling skills, engage in reflective scholarship, gain core professional competencies, and master scientifically informed best practices. You will graduate fully prepared to practice mental health counseling or pursue doctoral studies in psychology or another field.
“The ability to connect with professors set my experience at the Lynch School apart. I was able to maintain relationships with so many of them during and after the program, and I really felt taken care of. In terms of career development, they’ve been generous in helping me find the right opportunities to pursue.”
In the M.A. in Mental Health Counseling program at Boston College, you will:
- receive foundational training in counseling and direct experience working in the field
- become a competent mental health counseling practitioner and learn how science influences practice and practice influences science
- develop an understanding of how social justice informs and influences your professional work and how to promote it in your practice
The M.A. in Mental Health Counseling program at Boston College is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC), which requires institutions to disclose specific educational/training outcomes and other information to prospective doctoral students.
At a Glance
How many courses?
A majority of our students take 20 courses for a total of 60 credits.
How long will it take?
Full time students will typically complete the program in 2 years.
When can I start?
Students can begin the program only in the fall semester.
Program data
#10
National ranking for Student Counseling and Personnel Services program
U.S. News & World Report
129
# of students
11:1
student-faculty ratio
“Social justice and multiculturalism—these two words are linked to BC’s program in my mind, and that made the difference when I was choosing between schools.”
What will I study?
Curriculum
- Courses: 16 or 20
- Credits: 48 or 60
- Comprehensive Exam
During the two-year program, you can choose between a 48-credit or 60-credit program of study:
- The 60-credit, two-year program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. When you graduate from this program, you will be eligible for entry-level counseling positions and prepared, with postgraduate supervision and experience, to obtain licensure and accreditation for advanced skills/specialization.
- The 48-credit, two-year program will prepare you for further studies in counseling or fields in which a solid counseling foundation is desirable. Our graduates go on to pursue doctoral degrees in psychology and further studies in public policy, law, and business.
Each program requires you to complete an internship with one of our Boston-based partner organizations.
60-credit Master's in Mental Health Counseling
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY7444 | Theories of Personality and Counseling I First part of a year-long sequence examining personality and counseling theories. To introduce students to major theories of personality in the field of psychology and how theories are applied in constructing counseling and psychotherapy models. Students will focus on humanistic, behavioral, and cognitive personality theories and how they become operationalized in person-centered, behavioral, and cognitive counseling models, respectively. In addition to examining the theoretical foundations, client and counselor dimensions, techniques, and the active ingredients of change for these major models of personality and counseling, students examine how socio-cultural context contributes to client presenting concerns and may be addressed in counseling. |
3 |
| APSY7445 | Theories of Personality and Counseling II Second part of a year-long sequence examining personality and counseling theories. Continues introduction to major theories of personality in the field of psychology and how those theories are applied in constructing counseling and psychotherapy models. Focuses on psychoanalytic personality and counseling models as well as critical theory as manifested in the psychology of gender and counseling models that integrate gender into working with clients. Specifically, for each model, students will examine the theoretical foundations developed in its theory of personality, relevant client and counselor dimensions, counseling techniques, and the active ingredients of change that each model uses in bringing about change. |
3 |
| APSY7448 | Career Development Provides students with a comprehensive introduction to the theoretical and practice aspects of career development and the psychology of working. Students learn existing theories and related research pertaining to the vocational behavior of individuals across the life span. Through readings, case discussions, and lectures, students learn how to construct effective, ethical, and humane means of helping people to develop their work lives to their fullest potential. |
3 |
| APSY7465 | Psychological Testing Introduces psychometric theory, selection, and use of standardized aptitude, ability, achievement, interest, and personality tests in the counseling process from a social justice perspective. Includes measurement concepts essential to test interpretation, and experience in evaluating strengths, weaknesses, and biases of various testing instruments. Students will gain laboratory experience in administration, scoring, and interpretation of psychological tests. |
3 |
| APSY7518 | Issues in Life-Span Development This course addresses the major psychological and socio-cultural issues in development from childhood through adulthood. The theory, research, and practice in the field of life span development are examined and evaluated. |
3 |
| APSY7528 | Multicultural Issues Assists students to become more effective in their work with ethnic minority and LGBT clients. Increases students' awareness of their own and others' life experiences, and how these impact the way in which we approach interactions with individuals who are different from us. Examines the sociopolitical conditions that impact individuals from ethnic and non-ethnic minority groups in the U.S., and presents an overview of relevant research. |
3 |
| APSY7543 | Psychopathology Examines selected DSM-IV disorders and considers diagnostic issues, theoretical perspectives, and research. Through case examples, students will learn to conduct a mental status examination and determine appropriate treatment plans for clients suffering from various diagnoses. |
3 |
| APSY7605 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Mental Health Topics include professional codes and ethical principles; laws governing mental health professions; confidentiality, privacy and record keeping; client rights and malpractice; issues in supervision; dual role relationships; psychological assessment; and, issues specific to minorities, children and specialized treatment modalities and techniques. Emphasis is on the preparation of mental health counselors and other mental health professionals. |
3 |
| APSY7640 | Group Counseling This course examines both the theory and practice of group counseling. Among the theoretical positions discussed are client centered, behavioral, existential, and rational emotive. Important aspects of group process are also discussed including group leadership, group membership, establishing a group, and maintaining a group. As such the course covers therapist issues, patient selection criteria, group structuring as well as basic therapeutic techniques. The course prepares students to design structured counseling groups, to prepare group counseling materials, and to lead counseling groups of various types. |
3 |
| APSY7440 | Foundations of Counseling I Provides an introduction to counseling principles and techniques with an emphasis on interviewing skills. The areas of communication skills involving the use of role playing, observation, and practice components are emphasized. Training consists of peer role-plays and laboratory experiences with individual and group supervision. |
3 |
| APSY7748 | Foundations of Counseling II Pre-internship, supervised curricular experience focuses on progressive issues and the treatment of special populations. Lab training consists of peer role-plays and experiences with individual and group supervision. |
3 |
| APSY7460.12 | Interpretation and Evaluation of Research: Topics in Mental Health Counseling This course will improve a students' understanding of the empirical research literature in education and psychology. It concentrates on developing the conceptual foundations of empirical research and the practical analytic skills needed by a competent reader and user of research articles. Topics address purpose statements, hypotheses, sampling techniques, sample sizes and power, instrument development, internal and external validity, and typical quantitative research designs. Exercises emphasize the critical evaluation of published research. Each student will develop a research proposal. |
3 |
| APSY7221 | Neurological and Biological Bases of Behavior Health professionals work with many clients where biological and neurological factors play a role in influencing or exacerbating psychological problems. This course will touch on a variety of topics in psychology from a biological perspective that will be helpful in clinical practice. Areas to be covered include the basic structure and function of neurons, basic neuroanatomy, cognitive functions, substance abuse, addictions, and psychopharmacology. Discussion of these topics will be approached from a biopsychosocial approach. Students are encouraged to ask questions throughout the lecture to both clarify material and to work toward application of the material to clinical work |
3 |
Students will choose 5 electives (3 credit each) with the help of their advisor.
Students need to complete 6 credits of internship from the following courses.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY7660 | Practice and Supervision Seminar I This course is designed to be a post-practicum, curricular supervised experience, and supervised internship experience and seminar. The internship consists of seminar participation and a 600-hour, year-long clinical experience at an approved internship site. The internship and corresponding seminar are designed to enable the student to refine and enhance basic counseling skills, and to integrate professional knowlege and skills appropriate to an initial placement. |
3 |
| APSY7661 | Practice and Supervision Seminar II This course is designed to build on Internship I and corresponds to the completion of 600 clock hours the student spends in the internship. The seminar is process-oriented and thus students remain in the same year-long section. As such, it is designed to enable the student to further enhance basic and advanced counseling skills, and to integrate professional knowledge and skills through direct service with individual and group supervision. |
3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY8100 | Master’s Comprehensive Exam In order to ensure that all students graduating from the master's program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to complete a comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. |
0 |
48-credit Master's in Mental Health Counseling
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY7444 | Theories of Personality and Counseling I First part of a year-long sequence examining personality and counseling theories. To introduce students to major theories of personality in the field of psychology and how theories are applied in constructing counseling and psychotherapy models. Students will focus on humanistic, behavioral, and cognitive personality theories and how they become operationalized in person-centered, behavioral, and cognitive counseling models, respectively. In addition to examining the theoretical foundations, client and counselor dimensions, techniques, and the active ingredients of change for these major models of personality and counseling, students examine how socio-cultural context contributes to client presenting concerns and may be addressed in counseling. |
3 |
| APSY7445 | Theories of Personality and Counseling II Second part of a year-long sequence examining personality and counseling theories. Continues introduction to major theories of personality in the field of psychology and how those theories are applied in constructing counseling and psychotherapy models. Focuses on psychoanalytic personality and counseling models as well as critical theory as manifested in the psychology of gender and counseling models that integrate gender into working with clients. Specifically, for each model, students will examine the theoretical foundations developed in its theory of personality, relevant client and counselor dimensions, counseling techniques, and the active ingredients of change that each model uses in bringing about change. |
3 |
| APSY7518 | Issues in Life-Span Development This course addresses the major psychological and socio-cultural issues in development from childhood through adulthood. The theory, research, and practice in the field of life span development are examined and evaluated. |
3 |
| APSY7528 | Multicultural Issues Assists students to become more effective in their work with ethnic minority and LGBT clients. Increases students' awareness of their own and others' life experiences, and how these impact the way in which we approach interactions with individuals who are different from us. Examines the sociopolitical conditions that impact individuals from ethnic and non-ethnic minority groups in the U.S., and presents an overview of relevant research. |
3 |
| APSY7543 | Psychopathology Examines selected DSM-IV disorders and considers diagnostic issues, theoretical perspectives, and research. Through case examples, students will learn to conduct a mental status examination and determine appropriate treatment plans for clients suffering from various diagnoses. |
3 |
| APSY7605 | Ethical and Legal Issues in Mental Health Topics include professional codes and ethical principles; laws governing mental health professions; confidentiality, privacy and record keeping; client rights and malpractice; issues in supervision; dual role relationships; psychological assessment; and, issues specific to minorities, children and specialized treatment modalities and techniques. Emphasis is on the preparation of mental health counselors and other mental health professionals. |
3 |
| APSY7440 | Foundations of Counseling I Provides an introduction to counseling principles and techniques with an emphasis on interviewing skills. The areas of communication skills involving the use of role playing, observation, and practice components are emphasized. Training consists of peer role-plays and laboratory experiences with individual and group supervision. |
3 |
| APSY7748 | Foundations of Counseling II Pre-internship, supervised curricular experience focuses on progressive issues and the treatment of special populations. Lab training consists of peer role-plays and experiences with individual and group supervision. |
3 |
Students will choose 5 electives (3 credit each) with the help of their advisor.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY7468 | Introduction to Statistics An introduction to descriptive statistics. Topics include methods of data summarization and presentation; measures of central tendency and variability, correlation and linear regression; the normal distribution; probability; and an introduction to hypothesis testing. Provides computer instruction on PC and Mac platforms and in the SPSS statistical package. |
3 |
| APSY7469 | Intermediate Statistics Topics and computer exercises address tests of means, partial and part correlations, multiple regression, analysis of variance with planned and post hoc comparisons, analysis of covariance, repeated measures analysis, elements of experimental design, and power analysis. |
3 |
| APSY7460.12 | Interpretation and Evaluation of Research: Topics in Mental Health This course will improve a students' understanding of the empirical research literature in education and psychology. It concentrates on developing the conceptual foundations of empirical research and the practical analytic skills needed by a competent reader and user of research articles. Topics address purpose statements, hypotheses, sampling techniques, sample sizes and power, instrument development, internal and external validity, and typical quantitative research designs. Exercises emphasize the critical evaluation of published research. Each student will develop a research proposal. |
3 |
Students need to complete 6 credits of internship from the following courses.
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY7660 | Practice and Supervision Seminar I This course is designed to be a post-practicum, curricular supervised experience, and supervised internship experience and seminar. The internship consists of seminar participation and a 600-hour, year-long clinical experience at an approved internship site. The internship and corresponding seminar are designed to enable the student to refine and enhance basic counseling skills, and to integrate professional knowlege and skills appropriate to an initial placement. |
3 |
| APSY7661 | Practice and Supervision Seminar II This course is designed to build on Internship I and corresponds to the completion of 600 clock hours the student spends in the internship. The seminar is process-oriented and thus students remain in the same year-long section. As such, it is designed to enable the student to further enhance basic and advanced counseling skills, and to integrate professional knowledge and skills through direct service with individual and group supervision. |
3 |
| Course | Course Title | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| APSY8100 | Master’s Comprehensive Exam In order to ensure that all students graduating from the master's program have a fundamental understanding of the field which they are about to enter, they are required to complete a comprehensive examination covering the broad areas of the core courses. |
0 |
Practicum
Much of the second year of the program focuses on the internship, where you will have opportunities to hone your counseling skills as part of a practicum team. Whether you work in a community health center, school, hospital, or treatment program, you will acquire invaluable career experience while learning to critically evaluate health care systems.
Our director of practicum experience will work with you to discern your interests and determine the best opportunities for your experience, skills, and goals.
In all of our placements, we emphasize the importance of culture and context, encouraging students to acquire a community-oriented understanding of the settings in which they serve.
Program Requirements
The practicum is a major component of your experience in the master’s program. Whether you work as a member of a practicum team in a community mental health agency or with a school guidance division, your professional experience and on-campus interactions with professors and fellow students during your practicum will provide a rich context in which you can develop counseling skills and critically evaluate community and school systems of support and care.
Internships for mental health counselors and practicums for school counselors take place during the second year of the program; both are supervised. These group seminars help you integrate subject-matter knowledge, theory, and practice in a supportive environment.
Our director of practicum experience will meet with you during the placement process to learn how your prior school or work experience relates to your developing interests. Every effort will be made to help you find practicum and internship opportunities that are consistent with your goals and experiences.
Student Conservation Association
Environmental Education Coordinator
Willowglen Academy
Clinician
Massachusetts General Hospital
Research Assistant
Bay State Community Services
Mental Health Counselor
Veterans Health Administration
Research Health Science Specialist
Christiana Care Health System
Psychologist
Italian Home for Children
In-home Family Therapist
Brain Excel
Cognitive Trainer
Community Substance Abuse Centers
Substance Abuse Clinician
Career paths chosen by previous graduates of the CDEP Department.
Financial Assistance
Education should level the playing field – we feel the same way about financial aid.
The Lynch School of Education and Human Development provides more than $8.4 million in financial aid to students each year. As a result, the quality of BC’s instruction, the benefit of our alumni network, and the impact a BC degree will have on your employment options is both affordable and invaluable.
Deadlines
- Fall
Regular Decision - 1/6
- Rolling Admission
- Until 8/1
- Intl. Applicants
- Until 7/1
Apply Now
A non-refundable application fee of $75 is required, however, this fee is waived for select applicants.
Resume
To be uploaded to your online Application Form.
In addition to your academic history and relevant work experience, please include any licenses currently held, any social justice-related experience, any language skills other than English, and any research experience or publications.
Personal Statement
To be uploaded to your online Application Form.
In 1,000-1,500 words, describe your academic and professional goals, any experience relevant to this program, and your future plans, expectations, and aspirations.
Letters of Recommendation
Identification of recommenders/instructions to recommenders are outlined in the online Application Form.
Two letters of recommendation are required with at least one required from an academic source. Applicants may submit one additional recommendation of their choice.
Transcripts
Unofficial transcripts will be accepted in lieu of official transcripts for the application review process. In the event that one is admitted into a program and enrolls, our office will need official transcripts prior to course registration. To expedite application processing times, our office encourages you to send unofficial transcripts electronically to our email address at GSOE@BC.EDU. Please note that unofficial transcripts must include all of the following items:
- Course titles and grades for each course
- Year and entry term for each of the courses listed
- Translated into English by certified translation agent (if not already in English)
- Original and translated transcripts must be provided
If you are able to secure official transcripts, please note the following:
- An official postsecondary transcript must be printed on official institutional paper and include at least one of the following: an institutional watermark, the registrar’s signature, or the registrar's seal.
- Copies and unofficial transcripts sent directly from applicants are not acceptable, the transcript must come directly from the institution.
- If you are a current student and have not completed your undergraduate and/or graduate degree, the most updated version of your transcript is acceptable.
Official electronic transcripts are accepted when sent directly to gsoe@bc.edu from the institution. When requesting electronic transcripts, you must manually type in gsoe@bc.edu to ensure it is received by our office.
Mailed transcript(s) should be sent to the following address:
Lynch Office of Graduate Admissions, Boston College
Campion Hall 135
140 Commonwealth Avenue
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467
Standardized Tests
Submitting GRE test scores is optional and not required for 2021 entry term(s). If you wish to send GRE scores, the Lynch School GRE code is 3218.
Writing Sample
Not required.
International Students
Applicants that have completed a degree outside of the United States must have a course-by-course evaluation of their transcript(s) completed by an evaluation company approved by the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). Submission of falsified documents is grounds for denial of admission or dismissal from the University.
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Contact Us
gsoe@bc.edu
617-552-4214