The University of Massachusetts - Boston is located on the waterfront in Boston. It is ideally found next to several world class museums and the campus is within a short distance from downtown Boston. The university is part of the wider UMass system, and despite its big city location, the university boasts a 16:1 student to teacher ratio. The university offers 80 undergraduate programs and 110 graduate programs including several programs delivered solely online.
Accreditation Details
The University of Massachusetts - Boston has been awarded accreditation by the Institution of Higher Education of the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.
Application Requirements
Students who are interested in joining the University of Massachusetts - Boston can apply through either the UMass - Boston online application or through the Common Application. Along with their application, students will also have to submit the following supplementary material:
- High School Transcripts
- SAT or ACT Scores
- Personal Essay
- Letters of Recommendation
- $60 Application Fee
Students who wish to join a graduate program at the university will need to submit the following documents along with their application:
- Transcripts
- Test Scores
- Letters of Recommendation
- Statement of Intent
- Application Fee
- Any requirements specified by individual programs or departments
Tuition and Financial Aid
Students who are joining an undergraduate program at the university and are also residents of the state of Massachusetts can expect to pay $12,682 per academic year in tuition and fees. Students who are not residents of the state will pay $29,920 per year in tuition and fees.
Students who wish to embark on a graduate program at the University of Massachusetts will pay $16,115 per year in tuition and fees if they are a resident of the state while attending classes. If they are a resident of another state, they can expect to pay $31,115 in tuition and fees each academic year.
Students who are interested in pursuing a degree at the university who are residents of New England and cannot complete the degree in their home state will pay $22,733 if they are undergraduates and $25,242 if they are graduates.
The University of Massachusetts - Boston distributes $153 million in financial aid each year. The school accepts the following forms of payment and financial aid:
- FAFSA
- Grants
- Scholarships
- Employment
- Private Loans
Featured Online Programs
Figuring out where to apply? These top, accredited schools offer a variety of online degrees. Consider one of these accredited programs, and discover their value today.
Online Degrees Available
Master of Education in School Counseling
The goal of this program is to give students the theoretical and practical training that they need to successfully deliver counseling programs in a school setting. The program aims to train students who are both responsive and thoughtful to help schools and communities deal with issues on both an individual and group basis. The focus of this program is on urban schools and communities.
After successfully completing this program, students will have had training and practical experiences in the following areas:
- Human Development Theories
- Individual and Group Counseling Theories
- Abnormal Behavior Theories
- Psychological Theory
- Education Theory
- Addressing Vocational Theories
- Understanding the Physiological Theories Underlying Behavior
- Understanding Multicultural Influences in Individuals
- Practical Experience With Technology in Counseling
- System Theories
- Family Relationship Theories
The program at the University of Massachusetts - Boston aims to produce students who take a personal and human approach to their work. They should also have a firm understanding of the ethical principles involved with counseling as well as the traditional and modern standards of practice in counseling. These skills will be developed and continually assessed as the student completes both the practicum and the internship in school counseling.
The university hopes that the students who complete this program will be the instigators of change both in their communities and in the world. They train professionals who are equipped to work to improve social justice. The program provides specific training in the following areas:
- Laws Governing Counseling
- Empowerment Theories
- Oppression Theories
- Dominance Theories
- Change Theories
- Understanding the History of Counseling
The program is also designed to sharpen a student's skills to prepare them for both a successful career as well as further study. Students who successfully complete this program will significantly improve their critical reading and interpreting skills when approaching literature in their field. They will also be able to assess programs through evaluation. Finally, they will be able to successfully reflect and evaluate their own work. There are opportunities to practice these skills throughout the program but most intensively in the internship and the Capstone project.
Students will take online courses and on-campus seminars over two years that will prepare them for their practical experience. These courses include:
- Medical and Psychological Aspects of Disabilities
- Behavioral Counseling
- Research and Evaluation in Psychology
- Abnormal Psychology
- Orientation to Professional School Counseling
- Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues in School Counseling
- Vocational Development and Career Information
- Counseling Theory and Practice I
- Clinical Applications of Human Development
- Practicum in School Counseling
- Collaborative Consultation in Schools
- Cultural Diversity in Counseling
- Principles of Vocational, Educational and Psychological Assessment
- Group Counseling for Children and Adolescents
- Child and Adolescent Counseling
- Advanced Internship Seminar
- Family Therapy Theories
The Capstone project is a portfolio project that is divided into three parts. The first part demonstrates accountability within a student's school counseling practice. The second part is a case study where a student should find a solution to the issue. The third part is a workshop or a professional presentation. The third part can also be in the form of a parent or teacher workshop. The project is designed to demonstrate a student's skills in four main areas. These areas include consultation, coordination, curriculum and counseling.
Students will also undergo a practicum experience. This field work takes place directly in a school, and the position is supervised. The practicum is designed to introduce students to the school setting to prepare them for their internship.
The internship also takes place under supervision. Qualified and professional school counselors will take on students and oversee their progress in the field. The internship lasts for 300 hours. Students also meet for a weekly three-hour seminar.
The University of Massachusetts - Boston offers rigorous and beneficial programs for students pursuing higher education in the field of school counseling.