Certificate of Advanced Graduate Study (CAGS)
Mental Health Counseling (30 credit hour minimum)
The CAGS in Mental Health Counseling is designed for students who are practicing
counselors and do not possess a 60 credit master’s degree in counseling
or related field and need a CAGS to apply for licensure in Massachusetts as a
Mental Health Counselor (CMR 262).
Admission Requirements for CAGS in Mental Health Counseling
- A master’ degree in counseling, which has included an applied
counseling internship with clinical supervision.
- 3.25 cumulative average in the master’s program.
- Three letters of recommendation at least one of which should be from a supervisor
who has knowledge of the applicant’s counseling activities.
- Successful experience in a counseling capacity demonstrated by at least
one year of full time employment as a counselor.
- Final applicants will be required to interview with a faculty member.
- A completed application including a five-hundred word personal statement
that presents a synthesized, integrated, and self-reflective description of
the applicant's career goals as they relate to mental health counseling.
Students accepted in the CAGS in Mental Health Counseling will meet with a
faculty advisor and design a program based on the current requirements for licensure
in Massachusetts. The program will compliment previous Master's level coursework
but must include research, a practicum, an internship and a comprehensive examination.
The program must be a minimum of thirty graduate credits.
Application Deadlines
Students must submit a completed application with supporting materials by October
1st for the spring semester and February 1st for the summer and fall semesters.
Download Application for Admission
(pdf)
For additional information, contact either:
School of Graduate Studies
Maxwell Library
Bridgewater State College
Bridgewater, MA 02325
gradschool@bridgew.edu
(508) 531-1300
Counselor Education
Kelly Gym, Rm 104
Bridgewater State College
Bridgewater, MA 02325
(508) 531-2836
Last Modified: February 24, 2009