Curriculum
The emphasis of our program is on preparing students to provide effective and ethical clinical treatment for a variety of populations, disorders, and settings. Coursework is designed to augment on-site clinical work and to prepare students for their work, as well as to promote insight of students’ relative strengths and weaknesses, areas of interest, and values.
Our course curriculum is structured in such a way as to provide instruction in basic skills during the first semester, so that students are best prepared to begin their on-site clinical training in the second semester of their first year. An introduction to science and neurology begins during the second semester. Students take a total of 30 credits during their first year. The first year practicum experience consists primarily of closely supervised and observed individual, group, and family therapy conducted in a variety of clinical settings. Students also meet in small groups with fellow students to process on-site experiences.
During year two, students are given an opportunity to explore more focused areas of interest by choosing elective courses. Clinically, students complete a year-long internship, where they gain more specialized skills working in a setting of interest. More details about clinical training sites can be found on our website.
Our curriculum is designed to meet the requirements of the Massachusetts Allied Mental Health Professions Licensing Board so that students will have met the pre-degree course and clinical training requirements for licensure eligibility in the state of Massachusetts. Students are encouraged from the outset of their training to investigate the requirements of licensure for other states where they may relocate and are provided with support in ensuring that they complete the necessary coursework required to make them eligible for licensure in those states before they graduate.
The curriculum below is that in which the typical student is enrolled. There is some variability depending on clinical site schedules and other circumstances.
MHBM PROGRAM CURRICULUM 2008-2009
Year-1 (Fall Semester 2008)
GMS MH 701 Counseling Theory (3cr)
GMS MH 703 Counseling Techniques (3cr)
GMS MH 705 Psychopathology (3cr)
GMS MH 710 Assessment (3cr)
GMS MH 901 Clinical Practicum I (3cr)
Total Semester Hours = 15 credits
Year-1 (Spring Semester 2009)
GMS MH 704 Group Work Dynamics and Process (3cr)
GMS MH 706 Social and Cultural Foundations (3cr)
GMS MH 709 Neuroscience for Mental Health Professionals (3cr)
GMS MH 711 Health & Exercise Psychology (3cr)
GMS MH 902 Clinical Practicum II (3cr)
Total Semester Hours = 15 credits
Year-1 (Summer Session I)
*Addictions (3cr)
GMS MH 707 Research & Evaluation (3cr)
Program Elective- differs year by year
Total Semester Hours = 18/12 credits
Year-2 (Fall Semester 2008)
GMS MH 708 Human Growth and Development (3cr)
**GMS MH 712 Family Therapy (3cr)
GMS MH 810 Psychopharmacology (3cr)
**GMS MH 812 Addictions (3cr)
GMS MH 922 Internship Supervision (6cr)
Total Semester Hours = 12/18 credits
Year-2 (Spring Semester 2009)
GMS MH 702 Professional Orientation and Ethics (3cr)
GMS MH 707 Research & Evaluation (3cr)
**GMS MH 713 Human Sexuality (3cr)
GMS MH 714 Behavioral Medicine (3cr)
**GMS MH 716 Career & Vocational Counseling (3cr)
GMS MH 922 Internship Supervision (6cr)
** Electives
Total Semester Hours = 9/15 credits
Please Direct All Curriculum Questions To:
Dr. Berger-Greenstein
Curriculum Director
617-414-2330
jberger@bu.edu
