The Mental Health & School Counseling Master of Education (MEd) program trains professional counselors to work within the school system and in clinical settings, serving the guidance and mental health needs of PreK-12 students and their families.
Modality
Program Overview for MEd in Mental Health & School Counseling
This program emphasizes the role of the school counselor to break down barriers in this multicultural 21st century. You'll learn to become a group worker skilled in developmental guidance, a broker of educational and community resources and a consultant to students, parents and staff.
Students are prepared to meet the licensing standards of the Massachusetts Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professionals and of the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. The Massachusetts Communication and Literacy Test (MTEL) must be passed before a student can apply for licensure.
This program is taught through a mix of on-campus, remote (Zoom) and online (asynchronous) classes. On-campus and remote classes are scheduled during evenings and weekends so you can learn outside of work and other life commitments.
Program Highlights for Mental Health & School Counseling MEd
Students learn about normal and abnormal intellectual, social and emotional development, dysfunctional behavior and mental illnesses. They learn and apply the principles and best practices of counseling and collaboration within schools and community counseling practice, including:
- Resources and skills for enhancing children’s and adolescents’ educational and vocational experiences and facilitating their ability to make good use of opportunities
- Assessment, diagnosis and treatment of learning and behavior disorders and mental illnesses
- Psychoeducational techniques for prevention and strategies for treatment of substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse, mental illnesses and violence in PreK-12 students and throughout the lifespan
- Psychotherapeutic techniques for work with individuals, couples, families and groups
- Group counseling, leadership and consulting techniques; and school and community resources for referral
Students who complete this Mental Health & School Counseling MEd program gain and apply knowledge of:
- Psychology of learning, curriculum frameworks and student testing
- Research design and methodology
- Relevant federal, state and municipal laws and regulations
Licensing and Credentials
This licensure program satisfies Massachusetts licensure requirements, based on current regulations. Graduates of the Master's in Mental Health & School Counseling degree are prepared to meet the following state licensing standards:
- Massachusetts Board of Allied Mental Health and Human Services Professionals (pre-master's requirements)
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (initial license endorsement)
In addition, graduates may apply for the following credentials:
- School Counseling Initial License (all levels) which is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education
- Mental health counseling licensure by the Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals by also passing an exam and completing two years of post-master’s supervised clinical practice.
Students completing an Addictions Counseling concentration complete the academic requirements to become a Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC). This license is governed by the Massachusetts Bureau of Substance Abuse Services (BSAS). Department of Public Health.
If you have any questions about the requirements, please speak to the program chair.
“There are some schools that give you bookwork and some schools that show you the real work. Cambridge showed us the real work. They prepared me for my current job. For so many reasons, I'm glad that I came to Cambridge College.”
Mental Health & School Counseling MEd Tuition information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Master's in Mental Health & School Counseling Program Concentrations
You can add a graduate program specialization to focus your mental health counseling master’s degree even more. Cambridge College offers these in-demand degree concentration options.
Courses
The Mental Health & School Counseling Master’s degree program features classes such as:
- Personality and Counseling Theory
- Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy: Basic Counseling Skills
- Ethics & Professional Issues for School Counselors & Mental Health Practitioners
- Psychopathology
- Group Dynamics/Group Counseling & Human Systems
Prospective graduate degree students for programs in the School of Education & Counseling must satisfy the following requirements plus any program-specific requirements your program may have.
- Complete and sign the online application.
- Pay the application fee. Pay your $50 ($100 for international students) application fee by the term start date.
- Send official transcripts. Maildirectly to Cambridge College in a sealed, unopened envelope. Learn How to Send Transcripts. Required degrees must be from accredited colleges or universities.
- Master's and most graduate certificate programs require an earned bachelor's degree.
- Post-master's certificates and CAGS require an earned master's degree.
- International transcripts must be translated and evaluated by an approved agency. See all international student requirements
- Send your résumé and work experience. Send your resume that details your education and work experience, including how they pertain to your career goals. If your SEC program has a work experience requirement, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Submit your personal statement. Write a 500-word, typed, double-spaced essay describing your professional experience, goals and objectives for graduate study. How do you expect your graduate studies to enhance your future career?
- Include two professional recommendations (not required for fully online programs). These should address your professional character and ability to perform graduate work. Download Applicant Recommendation Form
- Interview (required for some programs). If your program requires an interview, it will be listed in the Program-Specific Requirements section below.
- Satisfy Health Insurance & Immunization requirements. (Massachusetts only). These are required only for graduate students taking six or more credits per term in Massachusetts through on-campus or hybrid classes. Health insurance may be waived.
Teacher Licensure Program Requirements
In addition to the requirements listed above, our Teacher Licensure Programs have these additional requirements:
- Earned bachelor's degree with 3.0 or higher GPA.
- MA Educator Documentation from the Massachusetts Dept. of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) website. Keep copies of all documents submitted and, upon admission, post in your electronic portfolio:
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID number)
- MTEL Communication & Literacy Test, successfully completed.
Required if completed:
- Massachusetts preliminary license, if held
- Sheltered English Instruction requirement
- Fingerprinting and Criminal Offender Record Information
Applicants who do not initially meet all requirements (e.g. GPA of 3.0 or MTEL) for admission into their chosen licensure program must enroll in the corresponding non-licensure degree option. Students who achieve a 3.0 GPA upon completion of the first three SEC courses, pass the MTELs, and now meet all requirements, may request a change of program.
Disclosures: For all Licensure Programs
- Licensure requirements are subject to change per Massachusetts regulations. All Cambridge College licensure programs are based on current regulations.
- All candidates admitted for licensure programs must successfully complete the program in its entirety.
- All requirements at the time of program completion must be finalized prior to seeking Massachusetts endorsement for licensure purposes.
- If you have any licensure questions, please speak to your program chair.
Program-Specific Admission Requirements
- Massachusetts Educator Personnel ID (MEPID) number
- 3.0 GPA at entry, maintained throughout program
- An interview and approval from the School of Education and Counseling
Careers in Mental Health and School Counseling
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the greater Boston metropolitan area is one of the top five cities with the highest employment levels for substance abuse, behavioral disorders and mental health counselors. It's also one of the top 10 cities for employment levels of educational, guidance, and career counselors and advisors.
In Massachusetts, the average salary for mental health counselors is $59,780* and school counselors earn an average of $76,860 per year.**
$59,780
Average salary for mental health counselors in Massachusetts*
$76,860
Average salary for school counselors in Massachusetts**
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211018.htm#st (visited December 29, 2023).
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, Educational, Guidance, and Career Counselors and Advisors, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211012.htm#st (visited December 29, 2023).
Jobs in Mental Health and School Counseling
Many graduates of the Mental Health & School Counseling MEd advance their careers as licensed mental health counselors, school guidance counselors or social workers working specifically with students. They may work either in schools, community organizations or private practice.