Fieldwork
All counselor education students are required to gain practical experience through fieldwork. Working with the fieldwork director, students are placed at sites that best match their professional goals. BSU students have completed fieldwork at sites including Arbour Fuller Hospital, Bridgewater Treatment Complex, Community Counseling of Bristol County, Brockton School District, Massachusetts College of Art and Design, Northeastern University, Stonehill College, Wheaton College and other locations throughout the region.
These placements give students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a professional environment. Advisors help students plan for fieldwork opportunities that are consistent with their professional goals, and students attend seminars over the course of their fieldwork to reflect on and evaluate their professional growth.
Counselor Education Lab
This state-of-the-art lab includes five treatment rooms and a central control room where counselor education students and department faculty can observe trainees practicing skills acquired in the classroom. Learn more about the Counselor Ed lab.
Professional Associations, Organizations and Honor Societies
Through various professional associations, organizations and honor societies, students apply their knowledge, share their experiences and network with other students and professionals in the counseling field.
ACA- As the world's largest association representing professional counselors, the American Counseling Association provides credible content and support ranging from webinars, publications and journals to conference education sessions and legislative action alerts.
AMHCA-The American Mental Health Counselors Association (AMHCA) is the leading national organization for licensed clinical mental health counselors.
ASCA- The American School Counselor Association (ASCA) supports school counselors' efforts to help students achieve success in school and prepare to lead fulfilling lives as responsible members of society.
CACREP Advisory Board- Students also have the opportunity to become members of the department’s CACREP advisory board to further their professional networking skills and knowledge.
CHI SIGMA ALPHA is an international honors society comprised of graduate students, alumni, faculty and student affairs professionals to promote and recognize excellence in academics, research and service to the profession of student affairs.
CHI SIGMA IOTA- BETA SIGMA CHI Chapter is an international honor society that values academic and professional excellence in counseling. We promote a strong professional identity through members (professional counselors, counselor educators and students) who contribute to the realization of a healthy society by fostering wellness and human dignity.
MASCA- The Massachusetts School Counselors Association was founded in 1961 to work for the promotion, improvement and expansion of guidance and counseling in the Commonwealth. Membership is open to counselors active in public and private elementary and secondary schools in the Commonwealth, as well as graduate students enrolled in counselor education programs, post-secondary level counselors, counselor educators and retired counselors.
NASPA is the leading association for the advancement, health and sustainability of the student affairs profession. Through high-quality professional development, strong policy advocacy and substantive research to inform practice, NASPA works to meet the diverse needs of all its members under the guiding principles of integrity, innovation, inclusion and inquiry.