Over the course of two years of full-time study, students are required to complete:

  1. A minimum of 60 course credit hours
  2. A semester-long clinical practicum (Year 1 with a choice of spring or summer)
  3. A year-long internship (Year 2)

Program faculty use various methods of instruction to ensure that students attain the clinical knowledge, skills, and practices needed to become competent, ethical, and effective mental health counselors.

Such pedagogical techniques include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Interactive lecture
  • Directed discussion
  • Experiential learning
  • Case-based learning
  • Project-based learning
  • Role-plays and simulations

Our program curriculum is designed to provide students with:

  • A foundation in general mental health and wellness
  • Psychopathology
  • Assessment and treatment
  • An emphasis in neuroscience and behavioral medicine/health psychology
  • The opportunity to explore and learn about specific areas of interest through our program electives

Learn more about Required Courses and Electives.


Curricular Timelines and Sample Coursework:

Fall Semester of Year 1:

Students are exclusively enrolled in coursework focusing on the clinical experience. Clinical coursework is front-loaded in our program to prepare students for their clinical field training, which begins either the following semester (spring) or summer. Students also participate in a mandatory group session called Learning Communities.

Coursework: 

  • Professional Orientation and Ethics
  • Counseling Techniques
  • ​Assessment
  • Psychopathology
  • Research & Evaluation
  • Theory & Practice of Child & Adolescent Counseling*
    **Learning Communities

Spring Semester of Year 1: 

Students complete their Practicum training (i.e., pre-internship) in either Year 1 spring or over the summer. Emphasis is also placed on further coursework to prepare for the second field placement training (Internship), such as Psychopharmacology. This allows students to excel as members of multidisciplinary teams and credible information sources for patients/clients.

Coursework: 

  • Neuroscience for Mental Health Professionals
  • Social & Cultural Foundations
  • Psychopharmacology
  • Practicum Supervision
  • Counseling Theory
  • Group Dynamics

Summer Semester

Optional Year 1 – Summer sessions are not required
Summer courses are optional. Students may elect to take 1-2 courses, which eases up the course load from the academic year. No required courses are offered only during the summer. Students who choose to complete their Practicum training during the summer typically do not pay extra tuition for doing so.

Coursework:

  • Practicum Supervision
  • Didactic course options vary by year; recent offerings have been Addictions, Career & Vocational Counseling, and Human Growth and Development

Year 2:

During year two, students take more specialized courses, some of which are electives. Clinically, students complete a year-long internship, where they gain more specialized skills working in a setting of interest.

Fall Coursework: 

  • Human Growth & Development
  • Behavioral Medicine & Applied Health Psychology
  • Psychological Trauma Across the Lifespan*
  • Internship Supervision
  • Addictions

Spring Coursework: 

  • Career & Vocational Counseling
  • Counseling Internship Supervision
  • Marriage & Family Counseling*
  • Advanced Ethics & Ethical Decision-Making
  • Human Sexuality*

* Program elective; students are required to take at least two elective courses

** Learning Community; 1-hour meeting/week and a time to process without formal readings or assignments

^^ Please note, this is a sample curriculum and may change by semester or year.


For questions regarding our curricular offerings or coursework, please email mhcbm@bu.edu.