CACREP Accreditation
Counseling, Mental Health Counseling Concentration, MEd and Counseling, School Counseling (PreK-8, 5-12) Concentration, MEd are CACREP approved programs.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Department of Counselor Education at Bridgewater State University is to prepare ethically responsible and culturally responsive master’s-level counselors and helping professionals to serve in diverse professional settings. We are committed to developing reflective practitioners who advocate for equity, social justice, and inclusion across all levels of practice.
Program Objectives
- Students will be able to articulate their professional identities, roles, and responsibilities in accordance with ethical and legal standards relevant to counseling and student affairs by achieving a satisfactory rating (as defined by program rubrics) in the professional identity portion of the KPI assignment for each course with a designated KPI assignment.
- Students will develop and exhibit proficiency in counseling skills by achieving a satisfactory rating in the counseling skills portion of the KPI assignments.
- Students will apply best practices in counseling and student affairs by achieving a satisfactory rating (as defined by program rubrics) in the best practices portion of the KPI assignment for each course with a designated KPI assignment.
- Students will demonstrate competence in diversity and social justice by achieving a satisfactory rating (as defined by program rubrics) in the cultural competence portion of the KPI assignment for each course with a designated KPI assignment.
Methods of Instruction
The counseling courses are taught using various dynamic and innovative methods. Our counseling lab utilizes state of the art technology allowing for technology enhanced live supervision with clinical skill development. While our courses are predominantly taught in the evening, some variances such as hybrid and intensive courses are available.
Annual Assessment Report
View our Annual Assessment Report
2024 Program Outcome Report
MEd in Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling
Graduates of the MEd Mental Health Counseling and School Counseling programs are well-prepared for employment in counseling positions across the United States. The following outcomes were reported for 2024 based on our graduate survey:
- Current enrollment: 109 students
- 2024 Graduates: 27 students
- Program completion rate: 96%
- Credentialing exam pass rate: 100% (Mental Health, Mental Health Dual and School Counseling students)
- Post-graduation employment:
- 68% worked in Mental Health Counseling positions*
- 0% worked in School Counseling positions*
- Average class size: 12-15
Credentialing and Licensure Highlights
As a CACREP-accredited program, students are eligible to take the National Counseling Exam (NCE) and/or the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) prior to graduation. These credentials support professional licensure and certification:
- National Counseling Exam (NCE):
- No Mental Health, Mental Health Dual or School Counseling students opted to take the NCE in 2024.
- National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE):
- 100% pass rate for students taking the NCMHCE in 2024.
Successful completion of the NCE qualifies counselors to apply for National Certified Counselor (NCC) status, while the NCMHCE is required for licensure in Massachusetts.
*Employment data was collected through Exit Interview Surveys completed by students prior to graduation.
Data Source: National Board for Certified Counselors, Inc. (NBCC), Fall 2023