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MA Concentration In Mental Health And Substance Abuse Counseling
The Concentration in Mental Health and Substance Abuse Counseling (CMHSAC) is an academic and clinical training certificate program offered as an option in conjunction with the MA in General Psychology.
The curriculum brings together courses in the treatment of substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors as well as general principles of psychology, providing students with a unique foundation for work in this field.
The CMHSAC employs a harm reduction orientation, placing the program at the cutting edge of training in the treatment of substance misuse and substance use disorders and other addictive behaviors. The CMHSAC also sponsors workshops, events, and trainings that promote a harm reduction orientation.
Earning the CMHSAC certificate gives graduates an applied career opportunity that can be pursued on completion of the MA, or carried forward into PhD studies and training. Psychology MA graduates who have completed the CMHSAC will have completed the training and educational requirements to apply for certification as a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T) and may then take the exam and fulfill the supervised practical work requirements to become a Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC). CASAC-Ts and CASACs are employable as substance abuse counselors at hundreds of treatment sites in New York State.
Students who enroll in the CMHSAC are eligible to participate in field placements in New York City treatment agencies, receiving practical and applied training in treating substance use disorders. Placements range from 6-12 months, and typically begin in the Fall of their second year in the program. Although direct clinical experience is not required as part of the curriculum for the CMHSAC, it is strongly encouraged.
For more detailed information, please read below and review the CMHSAC Handbook.
New York State CASAC Requirements
Upon graduation from the CMHSAC and the MA in General Psychology, students will have met the 350-hour education and training requirements set by New York State's Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) and will be eligible to apply to New York State for a CASAC-Trainee (CASAC-T) certificate. The CASAC-T is an interim professional credential that grants trainees up to five years to qualify for full CASAC certification by passing the IC&RC Alcohol and Drug Counselor (ADC) exam and completing the required 2,000 hours of supervised work, which can be done at a variety of OASAS-approved treatment facilities in New York.
Master Of Arts (M.A.) In Mental Health Counseling
What is the average class size?The average class size is 30 students for required courses and somewhat smaller for elective courses.
Are there research opportunities for master's students in the Mental Health Counseling program?Yes, many MHC master's students participate in research opportunities with faculty members in the Counseling department.
Does the 48-credit track also prepare you for a PsyD?Yes, the 48-credit track prepares you for a PsyD as well as a PhD.
Can international students who will be returning to their country at the end of the program take the 60-credit licensure track?Yes! Many international students will choose to return to their country rather than completing the path to licensure in the state of Massachusetts. If pursuing licensure, international students will need to apply for the STEM OPT extension to complete the additional practice hours.
Is part-time study possible for this program?Yes. Typically this means completing the program in 3 years.
Can a graduate of the MA in Mental Health Counseling practice counseling prior to getting their LMHC?In the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, graduates of a Mental Health Counseling program must accrue at least 3360 total hours of full-time, or equivalent part-time, experience in mental health counseling with an approved supervisor prior to applying for an LMHC license. See the Massachusetts Requirements for Licensure as a Mental Health Counselor for more details. 262.CMR.2.00
How long does it take to complete the Dual Degree in Pastoral Counseling?The dual degree program can take anywhere between 3-4 years to complete, depending on full-time or part-time status of a student. The dual degree program we offer with the MHC program is the MA in Theology & Ministry.
MHC Program Concentrations: Is it possible to change concentrations after beginning the program?Applicants interested in the Integrated Behavioral Health concentration must make this selection at the time of their application. Students who are admitted with "No Concentration" will be able to choose one of the following paths after enrollment:
Since the IBH concentration uses 4 of 5 of your electives, it is not possible to also complete any other concentration.
Is there a school counseling concentration in this program?Our MA in School Counseling is a separate degree program.
If I know I ultimately want to work in a private practice, and I think I would like to focus on serving an urban population, would it be recommended to pursue the Urban Scholars Program?Absolutely! The MHC Urban Scholars program is geared towards social justice-oriented practice for people living in urban areas with a variety of life circumstances. It can be thought of as an approach of practice in public as well as in private practice settings.
Are the concentrations (certificate programs) optional?Yes, the concentrations are optional. With the exception of the Integrated Behavioral Health Concentration which you have to select at the application stage, students who desire to complete a concentration indicate this on their program of study at the end of their first semester in the MHC program.
Admissions and Application Process: Is there an option for a gap year after receiving admission?Yes, we allow admitted students to defer admission for one year. The deferral option requires payment of the $250 enrollment deposit.
Is there a required timeline for completing the program?Students are permitted five consecutive years from the date of acceptance into the Program for the completion of all requirements for the Master's degree.
Are interviews conducted as part of the admissions process?No, the program does not currently conduct interviews.
Is the course by course international transcript evaluation required in order for an application to be complete? Or can I upload unofficial transcripts?The course-by-course international transcript evaluation is a required component of the application for applicants who completed a degree outside the United States. Applications will not be reviewed until the official evaluation is received. We are not able to accept unofficial transcripts in this case. The evaluation serves three purposes for us: translation of transcripts that are not originally in English, determination of U.S. Equivalency of your degree, and protection against document fraud. The evaluation should be from a NACES member agency, such as World Education Services (WES).
Are there any required prerequisite courses for this program?Applicants who do not have an undergraduate degree in psychology should have completed at least 2 of the following foundational psychology courses:
Highly-qualified applicants who have not yet met this criteria may be conditionally admitted with a requirement that the courses be completed before the program begins.
How long should the personal statement be?The personal statement should be a maximum of 1,000 words.
Do both recommendations need to be received by the priority deadline?In order for the application to be considered complete by the priority deadline, yes, all materials must be received by the end of day on the priority deadline.
Is there a GPA requirement?No, we do not have a GPA requirement.
If I'm interested in both the PhD program in Counseling Psychology and the MA in Mental Health Counseling, do I need to apply to both?In this case, it is important to apply for the PhD in Counseling Psychology program by the December 1st deadline. Within the application, there will be an option to also be considered for the master's program. Therefore, it is not necessary to submit two separate applications.
Can you take classes toward the MA program as a non-matriculated student? If so, can your work in those classes help your chances of admission?Yes, it is possible to take non-degree courses at the Lynch School. Non-degree students may take up to four courses that could be counted within a degree program later on. In practice, this program's classes are often fully enrolled and priority is given to degree-seeking students. Please reach out to gsoe@bc.Edu for more information on non-degree study.
I have completed two of the prerequisite courses on Coursera. Can they be counted?Prerequisite coursework must be completed at an accredited college or university for academic credit.
How many applicants do you receive a year?The number of applications can vary significantly from year to year. For Fall 2024, we received roughly 800 applications for this program.
What's the cohort size and typical class size?Our typical incoming cohort is approximately 90 students and the typical class has 25-30 students per course.
Are GRE scores required while applying?We do not require GRE scores. All applicants are reviewed holistically, but if you have taken the GRE and have high scores, we encourage you to include them with your application!
Is there any fee waiver for applicants?Fee waivers eligibility information can be found on our webpage. Please email gsoe@bc.Edu for more information.
Is it possible for me to submit 3 letters of recommendation?Yes, you can submit 3 letters of recommendation on your application. 2 recommendations is the minimum requirement.
I am an international student, but I have been studying in an English-speaking country. May I be exempt from submitted English Proficiency scores?Applicants that meet either of the criteria below do not need to submit proof of English proficiency:
For US-based institutions, yes. You can submit either unofficial or official transcripts for the application review process. If you are to be admitted in the program and enroll, we would require you to send us your final official transcripts that show your prior degree conferral. Please note that international degrees do require the official international credential evaluation at the time of application.
If I haven't completed 2 prerequisites, do I need to specifically say in my personal statement that I intend to complete them if admitted conditionally, or is that assumed?It is not required for you to state this in your personal statement but you are welcome to share your plan to meet those requirements.
How do recommenders submit their letters of recommendation for my application?Your recommenders will receive a unique link via email to submit their recommendation. This email will be sent after you enter their contact information in your application record.
Do the admissions requirements differ for the 48 vs. The 60-credit program?No, there are no differences in requirements for the 48 vs. 60-credit tracks.
Is it possible to enroll in the 60-credit track but still get research experience in preparation for PhD studies? Also, is there funding available?Yes, however these are typically volunteer experiences.
Licensure and Outcomes of the Program: What is the difference between CACREP and MPCAC?CACREP offers accreditation to counseling programs at the master's and doctoral levels, while MPCAC only offers accreditation to programs at the master's level. CACREP's accreditation standards are designed to ensure that master's in counseling program graduates are prepared for professional licensure and/or certification in their field of practice. MPCAC's more broadly stated mission is to ensure that programs "educate students in the science-based practice ofcounseling and psychological services." In practical terms, this means that MPCAC accredits certain types of master's in psychology programs that are not designed to prepare students for LPC licensure and that would not be accredited by CACREP, such as master's in counseling psychology programs. MPCAC-accredited master's in clinical and mental health counseling programs generally meet academic training standards for LPC licensure. However, MPCAC also accredits non-clinical counseling master's programs that are not designed to prepare students for LPC licensure. While most states recognize and some now require CACREP accreditation for counseling licensure, MPCAC accreditation is newer and not currently included in state licensing board standards.
How many hours are needed for the practicum and internship?The Practicum consists of not less than 100 total hours, 40 direct service hours, and 25 hours of supervision. Once the Practicum is completed, students immediately begin the Internship. The Internship consists of not less than 600, 240 direct service hours, and 45 supervision hours. The actual total Practicum and Internship hours may range between 700 and 900 depending upon the rate at which direct service and supervision hours can be accrued in a particular clinical setting.
What are the most common career outcomes for those who complete this program?Here are some examples of careers our recent graduates are following: mental health counselor, behavioral health support specialist, case manager, licensed professional counselor, school-based mental health therapist, outpatient therapist, in-home therapist, emergency services clinician. About 10-15% of our students pursue a doctoral degree immediately following graduation.
How hands on are you in terms of helping students find their practicum and internships? Is it up to the student or do you have a database of options students can choose from? Are these positions ever paid or is that against the program policy?Dr. James Aronson, the practicum director, and he meets with students throughout the first semester to support them in preparing application materials and to explore internship sites in our database that meet their clinical learning goals. There are a few internships that offer stipends but most do not.
Are international students also eligible for graduate assistantships positions?Yes! As long as you work under 20 hours/week on the F-1 Visa and it is an on-campus job, you are able to work as a GA.
Master Of Arts In Counseling With A Concentration In School Counseling
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