Prepare for a career in mental health counseling with a Master of Education (MEd) in School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling, where you'll work with PreK-12 students and their families in schools and clinical settings.
Modality
Program Overview for MEd in School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling
The School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling program emphasizes the use of evidence-based counseling strategies and features extensive real-world training experiences. Graduates will be ready to meet required state licensing standards.
This program is available to all Massachusetts based students as all courses in this MEd program are taught through scheduled remote (Zoom) classes with some online (asynchronous) course options. However, the field experience must be completed in person.
Learning Outcomes for School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling MEd
This program prepares you to work with students, families, schools and community personnel, providing knowledge and practical skills related to:
- Therapeutic relationships
- Normal and abnormal intellectual, social and emotional development
- Learning disorders and emotional issues affecting student achievement
- State-of-the-art diagnostic instruments, procedures for testing and interpreting results
- Medical conditions and medication related to physical disabilities and learning disorders
- Prevention and treatment strategies for substance abuse, physical and sexual abuse and violence in PreK-12 students
- Laws and regulations pertaining to the legal rights of students and families
Licensing and Credentials
Graduates of the School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling MEd are prepared to meet the following state licensing standards:
- Massachusetts Board of Registration of Allied Mental Health Professionals pre-master's requirements
- Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education initial SAC license
In addition, graduates may apply for the following credentials:
- School Social Worker/School Adjustment Counselor (all levels), which is approved by the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education as preparation for initial licensure
- 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 are also eligible for Licensed Alcohol and Drug Counselor (LADC) licensing by the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.
Why Choose Cambridge College for Your MEd
Designed for working professionals, the School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling program at Cambridge College offers a flexible, affordable option for earning your master’s degree.
- Hands-on career training: Gain real-world professional preparation through extensive research opportunities, internships and field placements based on Massachusetts state standards for school adjustment counseling.
- Licensure preparation: This program satisfies Massachusetts pre-master's licensure requirements, based on current regulations. If you have any questions about the requirements, please speak to the program chair.
- Flexible, remote schedule: Earn your Master’s degree in School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling with convenient evening, weekend and online (asynchronous) class options designed to fit the needs of adult learners. Courses are taught in scheduled remote sessions with selective asynchronous options. All field experience is performed in person.
- Experienced faculty: Work closely with expert faculty who bring diverse research and professional school counseling experience to the program.
- Exceptional value: Earn your master’s degree without breaking your budget. Cambridge College is one of the most affordable four-year private nonprofit colleges in the nation, offering world-class education and low tuition.
"I greatly enjoyed my time at Cambridge College. I enjoyed interacting with other professionals in my field and enjoyed the support I received from faculty and staff."
School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling Tuition Information
*See curriculum sheet for a breakdown of credits and credit ranges.
Mental Health Concentrations
A concentration can be a key element in your counseling degree, providing unique perspectives that can enrich your counseling career or offer additional credentials.
The School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling degree offers the following concentrations:
“Being at Cambridge College truly changed my life... I am excited for the opportunities I’ve been given here as a student and all the knowledge I’ve acquired that I’ll be able to activate further as a leader in my community and in the school setting.”
Course Options
The School Adjustment & Mental Health Counseling program trains mental health professionals to work with PreK-12 students and their families in schools and clinical settings. The curriculum includes courses such as:
- Rogerian Person-Centered Therapy: Basic Counseling Skills
- Perspectives in Cross Cultural Counseling
- School Adjustment/Mental Health Internship Seminar
- Field Experience
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
An interview and approval from the School of Education and Counseling is required.
Careers in School Adjustment and Mental Health 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. The average salary for mental health counselors in Massachusetts is $59,780.*
Nationally, this career path has a faster-than-average job growth outlook of 18 percent from 2022 to 2032.**
$59,780
The median annual salary for mental health counselors in Massachusetts*
18%
Job outlook for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors, 2022 to 2023**
*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes211018.htm#st (visited December 26, 2023).
**Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/community-and-social-service/substance-abuse-behavioral-disorder-and-mental-health-counselors.htm (visited December 29, 2023).
Jobs in School Adjustment and Mental Health Counseling
Most graduates go on to careers as licensed mental health counselors, school guidance counselors or social workers working specifically with students, either in schools, community organizations or private practice.
Faculty Spotlight
Edward Thomas
LMHC
Senior Instructor
Edward Thomas provides 20+ years of experience working in the behavioral health field, and he provides students with current real-life clinical and business practices and experiences to properly and realistically prepare them on their career journey.
Edward Thomas is the clinical director and quality assurance director of a mental health clinic with locations in both Massachusetts and Florida. He is also the quality assurance director of a substance use clinic in Massachusetts. He is the...