School Counseling, PreK-8 or 5-12, Counseling, MS

Master's
On Campus, Evening
Behavioral Sciences
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In Short

Prepares highly skilled professional school counselors to work with all students and the entire school community including culturally diverse populations and students with serious emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disorders.

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What will I do?
  • Train to create comprehensive and developmental school counseling programs and services that support all students with their academic, personal/social, and career development.
  • Learn diagnosis and consultation skills to prepare them to be integral members of school teams that promote academic achievement, strive to close achievement gaps, and assist all students to graduate career and college ready.

What we're working on

We're preparing tomorrow's counselors in order to meet the demands of a growing industry.
Elementary school counselor talking to student behind laptop
Student and counselor
student and advisor at a table

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Degree Overview

Prepares highly skilled professional school counselors to work with all students and the entire school community including culturally diverse populations and students with serious emotional, cognitive, and behavioral disorders.

Students typically complete this 60 credit program in three years, taking 2-3 courses per semester, but you have six years to complete the program. We also offer an accelerated option, if you begin in the summer, where you can complete this entire program (including its year-long internship/practicum) in a little over two years! Courses are offered primarily in the evenings, with some online and hybrid courses.

Career Opportunities

Program graduates have the credentials to apply for initial licensure as an elementary school (PreK-8) or secondary school (5-12) counselor. Past graduates of our program have been employed in the Leominster, Clinton, and Gardner school districts as well as at Fitchburg State.

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Time Frame

While you can complete the program in as few as 3 years (2 years when students begin in summer semester), you have 6 years to complete the program.

Program Highlights

  • Exposure to faculty with both practical and academic backgrounds in the field.
  • Fitchburg State University is a member in good standing of the Association for Advancing Quality in Educator Preparation (AAQEP), a national accrediting organization recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation. This program has been awarded full accreditation by AAQEP through December 31, 2030. Accreditation acknowledges that a program prepares effective educators who continue to grow as professionals and has demonstrated the commitment and capacity to maintain quality.

Resources

Counseling Program Manual (PDF)

Being a school counselor means having an opportunity to connect with people and dive into a community and learn about its people. The kids, the parents, the educators, the staff, everyone. And that's really special.

Sydney Little
Current student

Degree and Other Information

Tuition and Fees

Completed applications are reviewed on a rolling admission basis. Admissions requirements are as follows:

  • Official transcript of a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
  • Three letters of recommendation (References must be from professional sources, and one must be an academic reference.)
  • Professional resume
  • Official transcripts of graduate level course work from a regionally accredited institution (if applicable)
  • Graduate application and fee
  • A personal statement (maximum 300 words) describing goals and reasons for applying to the program
  • Applicants to the school guidance counseling program must submit passing scores on the Communication and Literacy portion of the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure.
  • Successful completion of all undergraduate prerequisites (Grade of 2.5 or higher)
  • Developmental Psychology
  • Statistics, Psychological Statistics, or Applied Statistics for Counselors

The learning outcomes for the Fitchburg State School Counseling program are:

  • demonstration of effective counseling skills
  • engagement in professional behavior
  • displaying caring for clients
  • demonstration of effective oral and written communication skills

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