Mental health careers are currently in high demand and for those seeking accredited counseling degree programs in Massachusetts, there are several well-respected and rigorous options. In the field of mental health counseling, the gold-standard accrediting institution is the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs, also known as CACREP. CACREP accredited schools are known for their rigor and program strength and often lead to state licensure in the mental health field.
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Bridgewater State University has one of the state of Massachusetts' only CACREP-accredited mental health counseling programs. With two CACREP-approved counseling specializations, those seeking licensure as a mental health counselor or school counselor in Massachusetts will find a strong and well-respected program at Bridgewater State. Like all accredited counseling degree programs in Massachusetts, Bridgewater State University offers both research and educational courses in combination with opportunities for hands-on supervised clinical opportunities in order to provide students with the highest level of mental health counseling training available.
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Bridgewater State UniversityLocation
Bridgewater, MA
Bridgewater State University College of Graduate Studies
Bridgewater State University was founded in 1840 and currently enrolls over 11,000 undergraduate and graduate students. It is the eighth largest four-year college or university in the state of Massachusetts and 92% of faculty hold doctorate or terminal degrees.
Bridgewater State University's College of Graduate Studies has offered degree and certificate programs to graduate students since 1937. The school has 35 graduate degree programs, ranging from athletic training to special education. There are also 32 licensure programs, including programs in counseling, mental health and education.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in Mental Health Counseling
Bridgewater's M.Ed. degree in mental health counseling is a 60-credit program. The program is designed for individuals seeking licensure in the state of Massachusetts as a mental health counselor. Students will receive training to work with children, adolescents and adults in a variety of settings. Some of these settings include private clinics, hospitals, educational institutions, government institutions and health care centers.
Students may be required to take a variety of core courses on topics that include crisis counseling, substance abuse, psychopathology, group counseling, career counseling, assessment and psychopharmacology. A practicum or internship may also be required.
Accreditation
The Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling program at Bridgewater State University is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). It is one of Massachusetts' only CACREP-accredited programs.
Master of Education (M.Ed.) in School Counseling
Bridgewater's M.Ed. in school counseling offers a 51-credit program that can lead to licensure as a school counselor in the state of Massachusetts, as well by several other member states in the Interstate Certification Compact. The program trains future counselors to work in preschools, elementary schools, middle schools or secondary schools. Graduates of the program currently work in a variety of schools, including public, vocational, private and charter schools. School counselors may work with both individual students and groups of students.
Resource:What is a Typical Day Like for a School Counselor?
Students in the program will take a variety of courses, including both general counseling and school counseling courses. Some course topics include counseling theories and techniques, multicultural counseling, research and evaluation, ethical and legal issues, applied school counseling and special education issues. Students will also be required to take a 600 hour supervised practicum before completing the program. Upon graduation, students may be eligible to sit for professional examinations that lead to licensure as a school counselor.
Accreditations
Bridgewater's M.Ed. in school counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). It is also accredited by the National Council for Accreditation of Teacher Education. The Department of Secondary and Elementary Education also endorses the school counseling program.
Contact
Bridgewater State University College of Graduate Studies
Office of Graduate Admissions
Maxwell Library
10 Shaw Road
Bridgewater State University
Bridgewater, MA 02325
(508) 531-1300
[email protected]
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