Counseling, Mental Health Counseling, MEd
Today, the challenges inherent in mental health counseling are more complex than ever. Familiarity with a myriad of medications, health insurance coverage policies and multicultural issues is a must as mental health services are increasingly offered in home and school environments instead of the traditional institutions of past decades.
The Masters of Education (MEd) at Bridgewater State University can help you develop the solid skills and experience needed to become a licensed mental health care counselor in Massachusetts. The program’s relatively low student-to-faculty ratio gives students a close, dynamic working relationship with academic advisors that many other universities cannot offer.
The Mental Health Counseling MEd at Bridgewater State University offers graduates training in a variety of mental health settings: clinics, hospitals, health care centers, educational and governmental institutions with children, adolescents and adults. This program prepares graduates who intend to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) in the state of Massachusetts.
The MEd in Mental Health Counseling offers you:
- Diverse faculty with extensive teaching and administrative experience in the fields of mental health counseling
- Development of critical thinking skills, as well as oral and written communication capabilities
- Small classes facilitating a more personalized learning experience
- Affordable tuition, whether you live in state or out of state
- Provides a comfortable learning environment for older, non-traditional graduate students
Program Director: Dr. Nikki Freeburg
Graduate Student Ambassador: Kylie Munise
Admissions Requirements
- Online application and $50 application fee
- Resume
- Transcripts - Official transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate course work
- Minimum GPA - Minimum undergraduate cumulative GPA of 2.8 (or 3.0 based upon last 60 credits). If candidate holds a Master's degree, a minimum graduate GPA of 3.5 is required
- GRE General Test Scores
- If undergraduate GPA is 3.00 or higher, then a combined GRE score of 281-290 is needed.
- If undergraduate GPA is a 2.80-2.99, then a combined GRE score of 291 or higher is needed.
- If undergraduate GPA is 2.50-2.79, then a combined GRE score of 292+ is needed.
- If candidate holds a master’s degree and GPA is a 3.5 or higher, GRE requirement is waived.
- If candidate holds a master’s degree and GPA is a 3.0-3.49, a combined GRE score of 297 is needed.
- Letters of Recommendation - Three appropriate letters of recommendation from professionals or educators outside the BSU department of Counselor Education
- Personal Statement - A 500-word personal statement that presents a synthesized, integrated, and self-reflective description of your career goals as they relate to your chosen field of counseling and how they have led you to apply to the specific counseling program at Bridgewater State University.
- Interview - Final applicants are required to participate in a one-day Admissions Day held on the third Friday of November for Spring applicants, and the third Friday in March for Fall applicants
Application Deadlines
Fall Semester: February 1
Spring Semester: October 1
Curriculum
*To be taken within the first 15 credits
Electives
Students are required to take 6 credits of Electives at the 500 level or above
Total minimum credits: 60
Additional Information:
Fieldwork
Students will meet with their adviser to plan their fieldwork experience. Students seeking licensure as a mental health counselor (LMHC) must complete a minimum of 600 hours of fieldwork at a mental health site. Students may work 10-30 hours per 15-week semester and will register for three credits for each 150 hours of field work they will complete that semester. Students must attend a clinical seminar each semester they are involved in field experience and must attend a minimum of two total seminars.
Culminating Experience
The culminating experience focuses on students’ ability to integrate counseling and development theory into direct practice. Through the culminating experience, students will demonstrate the counseling competencies that align with current CACREP standards (Council for the Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs), as well as standards that align within respective programs of study. Students will have the choice of completing one of the following options:
- CNGC 502 - Research - Masters Thesis
- CNGC 585 - Capstone in Counseling - Portfolio
- CNGC 586 - Capstone in Counseling - Project Paper
- Achieve a passing score on the CPCE Exam
Funding Opportunities
The College of Graduate Studies provides various opportunities for graduate students to receive funding while working towards their degrees. Appointments are competitive and are determined by undergraduate and/or graduate grade point averages, pertinent experience, educational preparation and interviews. For information on assistantships, fellowships and conference funding awards, please visit our Graduate Funding Opportunities page.
The MEd program in Mental Health Counseling is eligible for unsubsidized student loans and applicants are encouraged to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. For more specific questions, please visit the Financial Aid Office website or contact them directly at finaid@bridgew.edu.
Graduate Events
View our graduate events page to RSVP to information sessions, workshops and seminars.
Cost of Attending
Bridgewater offers competitive tuition and fees for graduate students both in and out of state.
