The Lynch School’s Master of Arts program in Mental Health Counseling prepares students for careers as mental health counselors and/or to pursue doctoral studies in psychology or other fields. A core component of the MPCAC-accredited program, consistent with the University’s broader mission and Jesuit tradition, is an emphasis on social justice. Graduates are prepared to serve the mental health needs of individuals, groups, communities, and systems across contexts and cultures, and to promote and advocate for social change.

The program’s training emphasizes both academic and applied experiences that incorporate developmental-contextual and multicultural frameworks to understand and promote mental health and well-being in diverse populations. Students receive a broad background in counseling and mental health theories, develop strong counseling skills, engage in reflective scholarship, gain core professional competencies, and master scientifically informed best practices. They graduate ready to practice contemporary counseling.

The Master of Arts degree in Counseling is a two-year program with two tracks:

• The 60-credit hour program meets the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Graduates of this program are ready for entry-level counseling positions and, with postgraduate supervision and experience, prepared to obtain licensure and advanced skills/specialization. 
  
  
• The 48 credit program prepares students for further studies in counseling or fields in which a solid counseling foundation is valuable. Our graduates have gone on to pursue doctoral degrees in psychology and further studies in public policy, law, and business.