Program Director:  Dr. David Medoff, Assistant Professor

Program Faculty: Dr. Glen A. Eskedal, Chair and Professor and Dr. Rosemarie DiBiase, Advisor and Associate Professor

The concentration in Mental Health Counseling trains students to function in a variety of community mental health settings (e.g., clinics, hospitals, prisons, college counseling centers, day treatment programs, rehabilitation facilities, outreach programs, after care centers, etc.).

The ability to work with people in a variety of settings and roles will be cultivated. Through systematic completion of the curriculum, students will develop a competency base form which to perform effectively in their area of specialization.

Requirements

A minimum program involves 36 semester hours of course work, depending on undergraduate preparation. All special non-degree students wishing to apply for degree status are encouraged to interview with a member of the faculty prior to acceptance. Degree candidates are advised to consult with members of the faculty at all stages of their programs.

Note: Eligibility for Massachusetts licensure as a Mental Health Counselor requires an additional 30 credit hours including a 600 hour internship. Students are encouraged to enroll in the CAGS Program at the completion of the Master degree to satisfy academic requirements. See your advisor and for details. Please also see the Requirements for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor.

Practicum

It is during the Interpersonal Skills Lab and the two semester Counseling Practicum that a student, fully admitted into the program, demonstrates ability to translate training into professional judgments and techniques. Students are required to apply formally for the Counseling and Human Relations Practicum and to consult with their Faculty Advisors regarding their field placements.

All part-time students must successfully complete twelve (12) semester hours prior to the Counseling Practicum experience.

Prior to eligibility for the Counseling Practicum a cumulative average of B (3.0) or above is required. Any grade less than B (3.0) must be offset by an appropriate honor grade and all incomplete grades must be successfully completed prior to eligibility for Practicum.

During the Interpersonal Skills Laboratory and Practicum aspect of training the provision of earning a grade of less than B that may be offset by an appropriate honor grade does not apply. The Interpersonal Skills Laboratory and the Practicum must be completed with a grade of no less than B (3.0). Unsatisfactory performance during Practicum results in repeating the course.

Course Information

Required Core Courses (6 Semester Hours)

•  EHS 701: Child and Adolescent Development or
•  EHS 712: Adult Development
•  EHS 715: Research Methods

Concentration Requirements (18 Semester Hours )

• EHS 713: Counseling: Theory and Practice
• EHS 716: Psychological Diagnosis
• EHS 717: Psychological Testing
• EHS 737: Interpersonal skills Laboratory
• EHS 738: Counseling Practicum I
• EHS 739: Counseling Practicum II

Electives (12 Semester Hours )

For a complete list of electives and course descriptions see the Catalog.