Sample full-time course of study for school counseling track:

YEAR 1 FULL TIME

SUMMER

FALL

SPRING

YEAR 2 FULL TIME

SUMMER

FALL

SPRING

Total Graduate Course Credits 60

View Course Descriptions

View Summer 2020 Course Offerings

Sample full-time course of study for school social work/adjustment counseling track:

YEAR 1 FULL TIME

SUMMER

FALL

SPRING

YEAR 2 FULL TIME

SUMMER

FALL

SPRING

Total Graduate Course Credits 60

View Course Descriptions

View Summer 2020 Course Offerings

Information, Dates & Declaration Deadlines

The oral exam is required for all students in the Master’s degree School Counseling program. Students may take the exam after completing all course work or concurrent with the last semester of their course work. The questions have been selected based on this degree training program. Students will integrate knowledge and skill from all courses and experiences throughout their Master’s degree training. Questions are intentionally structured to require integration from all elements of training; thus, focusing on knowledge gleaned from one course or experience exclusively will not provide a comprehensive or exhaustive demonstration expected. To be considered for the exam, students must have submitted a complete Capstone Experience Request Form by the noted deadline for the semester intended to complete the exam.

Oral exams are scheduled during the fall semester and the spring semester. Oral exams are not given in the summer sessions. The student's oral examination committee will consist of two faculty members. The oral exam itself is a one-hour exam.

Oral exams carry the grade of pass, fail, or pass with distinction. The candidate's transcript, however, will only provide the information that the oral exam was completed and the date of the exam. If the candidate fails the oral exam, he/she will be given one (1) additional opportunity to demonstrate competence. Generally, the second exam is given no sooner than the next regularly scheduled oral exam period, unless additional course work is required.

Declaration of Intent to Take Oral Exams

Deadlines for forms are the first Friday of the Fall semester to sit for the Fall Administration and the first Friday of the Spring semester to sit for the Spring Administration. Please refer to the Assumption University Registrar’s Office for a current copy of the Academic Calendar.

To declare an intent to complete the oral exam, students must submit via email the Oral Exam Capstone Experience Request Form to express their intent to complete the oral examination. Please refer to this form and/or the assigned academic advisor for more information. Completed forms should be submitted to the School Counseling Office. Students should meet with their academic advisor to ensure all requirements are satisfied before submitting this formal email.

Students are required early in their course of study to be involved in pre-practicum experiences that are related to course assignments. Students will complete a pre-practicum of 100 hours in a school setting so that they may have the opportunity to observe and understand children and adolescents and spend time with individual students. Students will also have opportunities to learn with professional school counselors through interactive programs in the Institute for School Counseling and School Psychology.

In most cases, students are considered eligible for the practicum once they have successfully completed all prerequisite courses or when they take such courses concurrently. A candidate’s eligibility for and enrollment in the practicum will be determined by the Director of the School Counseling program based upon:

• A review of the student’s transcript, existing teacher licensure, and professional experience
• Successful performance in required graduate courses; and
• Evidence of passing scores on the Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL) Communication and Literacy Test.

The practicum for the School Counselor is 600 hours, and the practicum for the School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker is 900 hours. Both practicum commitments are governed by criteria outlined in the state regulations. Practicum students must be prepared to spend three (3) full days per week at the practicum site(s) during the practicum (two) semesters. 

Assumption University responds to the Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education in all matters of educator licensure. Therefore, the University reserves the right to revise the admission criteria and requirements of its graduate program(s) leading to eligibility for support personnel licensure in compliance with the current state regulations. Students seeking licensure as a School Guidance Counselor (PreK-8; 5-12) must meet with an academic advisor to plan an appropriate course of study before beginning their first semester of course work to ensure all license requirements are planned for.

Post-Master’s Degree Programs in School Counseling

The School Counseling Program offers students with earned master’s degrees the opportunity to pursue a Certificate of Advanced Graduate Studies (CAGS). A CAGS can enhance students’ knowledge and skill set leading to increased professional competence. A CAGS may also be pursued to complement current knowledge and skill sets allowing professionals to be more effective in their roles. CAGS programs in School Counseling typically consist of 7 courses and is based on students’ professional goals.

The C.A.G.S. program provides several customized pathways for students to choose from:

1. For professionals with an earned master’s degree in Counseling, Social Work or closely related field, a focused School Counseling C.A.G.S. program that culminates in eligibility for endorsement for the initial license in School Counseling (Level Pre-K-8 or Level 5-12) in Massachusetts.

2. For professionals with an earned master’s degree in School Counseling, Social Work or closely related field, a focused School Counseling C.A.G.S. program that culminates in eligibility for endorsement for the initial license in School Adjustment Counseling/School Social Work (All Levels) in Massachusetts.

School adjustment counseling/school social work is a specialized area of practice. School Adjustment Counselors/School Social Workers assist students with mental health issues, behavioral issues, positive behavioral supports, academic and classroom support. School Adjustment Counselors/School Social Workers collaborate and consult with teachers, parents, juvenile court system, child protective services and other community agencies. School Adjustment Counselors/School Social Workers also provide individual and group counseling. Individuals licensed as School Adjustment Counselors/School Social Workers significantly increase their opportunities for employment and advancement.

3. For professionals with an earned master’s degree in Counseling, Psychology, Social Work, Education or closely related field, a customized (minimum) 7 course School Counseling C.A.G.S. program tailored to the students’ professional interests.

4. For professionals with an earned master’s degree in a helping, human service, counseling or education profession, a 6 course Resiliency for Helping Professionals C.A.G.S. is offered. 

The Department of Human Services and Rehabilitation Studies also offers other C.A.G.S. programs to benefit school counselors such as Transition Specialist, Special Ops: Service Members, Veterans and their Families (SMVF), and Rehabilitation Counseling. Students may choose to pursue one of these options or choose courses from these programs to customize a C.A.G.S.

IMPORTANT: Students who have applied to any C.A.G.S. programs are invited to contact the School Counseling Program Director or designated program faculty to conduct a transcript review and draft an initial program of study. C.A.G.S. programs may vary with respect to credit hours and required practicum hours based on this transcript review.

Courses are offered all three semesters: fall, spring and summer. Courses in the fall and spring tend to take a full-semester format where they will meet once a week. Classes run at one of two primary time slots: 4:00pm-6:30pm or 6:45pm-9:15pm.  Classes are typically offered Monday-Thursday, especially in the fall and spring semesters.

Some classes are offered in hybrid formats where they will meet both in-person and online using Brightspace. There are some intensive courses offered on weekends, but those are most common among elective options.

Core classes are regularly offered in the traditional format meeting once a week on campus, or occasionally in a hybrid format. The structure of the hybrid class and the online weeks at the instructor’s discretion; therefore, no two hybrid classes may be the same.

The summer semester commonly offers intensive formats for courses across a 1-week, 3-week, or 6-week format.