At Boston College’s Lynch School of Education and Human Development, the master’s in School Counseling places hands-on experience at the very core of its curriculum. Through practicum placements that integrate students directly into communities, future counselors transition confidently into a profession requiring collaboration, creativity, and empathy.
For alumna Rebecca Francesconi, B.A. ’21, M.A. ’24 (School Counseling), the practicum experience was more than just real-world preparation—it was an eye-opening journey that ignited her passion and affirmed her decision to pursue this career. She now applies this dedication in her role as a School Counselor at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School.
Francesconi completed two field placements: a pre-practicum placement at St. Columbkille Partnership School in Brighton, followed by a full-time practicum at Driscoll K–8 School in Brookline. Each offering distinct opportunities for her to apply what she was learning in the classroom. The practicum opportunity allowed Francesconi to learn alongside licensed school counselors and work with students of all backgrounds under the support and guidance of BC faculty and site supervisors.
Rebecca Francesconi
Francesconi completed two field placements: a pre-practicum placement at St. Columbkille Partnership School in Brighton, followed by a full-time practicum at Driscoll K–8 School in Brookline. Each offering distinct opportunities for her to apply what she was learning in the classroom. The practicum opportunity allowed Francesconi to learn alongside licensed school counselors and work with students of all backgrounds under the support and guidance of BC faculty and site supervisors.
“My practicum experiences did not feel like work,” she explained. “And the job I’m at right now is so unique, I love this job.”
“My practicum experiences did not feel like work,” she explained. “And the job I’m at right now is so unique, I love this job.”
Francesconi entered the program bringing a fresh perspective, without prior experience working in a school environment. Her passion for working with children quickly became evident during her pre-practicum, where she collaborated with counselors to support children in an urban school setting.
PRE-PRACTICUM
an early, supervised field-based experience, occurring one day a week in a PreK-12 school, designed to bridge coursework with professional practice
FULL PRACTICUM
a comprehensive, supervised field experience, typically 3-days a week in a PreK-12 school, where students apply theoretical knowledge to professional practice.
“My view of school counseling expanded so much because of what students were going through,” she said. “You see what the school is facing, and you understand the counselor’s role on a much deeper level.”
Under the supervision of licensed school counselors, Francesconi had the opportunity to shadow professionals, meaningfully contribute to teams, and work on real student caseloads. The collaborative environment gave her the confidence to bring her own ideas into the school setting, leading her to discover which areas of school counseling best fit her career goals.
“[The] practicum is all about being part of a team,” she said. “It’s practicing being a part of a team and being valued as a team member.”
Through these experiences, Francesconi was able to develop her own counseling style. Supported by faculty mentors and coursework designed to prepare her for the classroom, she felt confident in her ability to support students. She credits program mentors and faculty for fostering this growth, as their encouragement of exploration and creativity helped her tailor her approach to meet the needs of diverse learners.
“You can try different approaches to connect with a student or understand a diagnosis,” Francesconi explained. “It’s what you make of it, and you can be really creative if you want.”
Professors Belle Liang, Julie MacEvoy, and Maria Theodorokakis were particularly impactful, as they “guided [her] every step of the way,” both during her practicum and today in her career. The courses and skills learned in the program introduced her to issues within the world of counseling, preparing her to approach their practice with ethicality and empathy.
Her reflection echoes a core strength of the program:
the power of practicum experiences
"Students' practicum experiences represent an invaluable opportunity to apply academic concepts in a real-world setting,” said Professor Theodorokakis.
“Year after year, we see a profound transformation for students like Rebecca who go from learning about school counseling to doing school counseling. It is moving to witness this shift in mindset as students settle into their professional identity and solidify their sense of purpose in the field.”
As Francesconi’s experience shows, the practicum in the M.A. in School Counseling at the Boston College Lynch School of Education and Human Development—ranked #9 for Student Counseling programs from the U.S. News and World Report—is more than just a graduation requirement. It’s a one-of-a-kind opportunity for aspiring counselors to discover where they belong and how they can contribute to a field that impacts the lives of countless students every day.