Specialization & Licensure

Pathway Declaration & Specialization Process

All students admitted to the UMass Amherst School-Based Counselor Education Program will complete the same initial coursework, designed to prepare them with the appropriate skills and foundational knowledge to work as counselors in schools. During this time, students will learn about the responsibilities and work of both school counselors and school adjustment counselors, and are encouraged to further explore both pathways to determine which area they wish to specialize in.

After the first year of study, students will officially declare their specialization: school counseling, school adjustment counseling, or both. Depending on their selection, this will dictate which additional coursework students will need to complete (EDUC 607 for school counseling, additional credits of EDUC 798A for school adjustment counseling). Those wishing to pursue dual licensure will need to complete requirements for both specializations. Further information about each pathway, and their requirements, are outlined below, in the required coursework section, and the licensure section of this handbook.

School Counseling

Students interested in pursuing K-12 School Counseling Licensure in Massachusetts must be prepared to address students’ academic, social-emotional, and post-secondary goals/needs. In addition to the general program coursework, school counseling students must take EDUC 607: Counseling for Career & Postsecondary Planning and another elective within the college to help them prepare to support students’ goals and development in this domain of practice. This pathway takes three years full-time to complete.

School counseling students will complete 100+ hours of a pre-practicum and participate in 600+ hours of an internship under the joint supervision of a certified school counselor (site supervisor) and a university program faculty member (university supervisor). Students who complete this program of study are recommended for an Initial School Counselor License (K-12), which is equivalent to a provisional educator certificate with advanced standing. This license is valid for five years and can be renewed at the MA Education Commissioner’s discretion. For further information about licensure requirements and documentation, please visit the Licensure Section of this handbook.

School Adjustment Counseling

Students interested in pursuing K-12 School Adjustment Counseling Licensure in Massachusetts must be prepared to address students’ holistic development and mental health/wellbeing. In addition to the general program coursework, school adjustment counseling students also complete 18 credits of supervised field-work. This pathway typically takes three years to complete.

School adjustment counseling students will complete 100+ hours of a pre-practicum, and participate in 900+ hours of an internship under the joint supervision of a certified school adjustment counselor (site supervisor) and a university program faculty member (university supervisor). Students who complete this program of study are recommended for an Initial School Adjustment Counselor License (K-12), which is equivalent to a provisional educator certificate with advanced standing. This license is valid for five years and can be renewed at the MA Education Commissioner’s discretion. Please note: School Adjustment Counseling licensure does not qualify for reciprocity with other states, as it is a unique position in Massachusetts. For further information about licensure requirements and documentation, please visit the Licensure Section of this handbook.

School Counseling & School Adjustment Counseling Dual Pathway

Some students may wish to be dual licensed as School Counselors and School Adjustment Counselors in Massachusetts; through this program, students will complete requirements for both pathways in order to be prepared to address K-12 students’ holistic needs across domains. In addition to the general program requirements, dual-pathway students will complete EDUC 607: Counseling for Career & Postsecondary Planning, as well as additional internship credits. This pathway takes three and a half years full-time to complete.

Dual pathway students must complete the field-based requirements for both school counseling and school adjustment counseling. Students will complete 100+ hours of a prepracticum under the supervision of a certified counselor (site supervisor) and a university program faculty member (university supervisor). Students must find a dual-certified site supervisor (licensed as both a school counselor and school adjustment counselor) or seek the supervision of two counselors at the same site (with one licensed as a school counselor and the other an adjustment counselor) in order to observe and practice the skills related to both pathways.

After completion of the pre-practicum, students will complete 600+ hours of a school counseling internship (12 credits) and 750+ hours of a school adjustment counseling internship (15 credits) under the joint supervision of an appropriately certified counselor (site supervisor) and university supervisor. Per the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE), 150 hours may overlap between school counseling and adjustment counseling, bringing the total number of internship hours to 1350+ (as opposed to 1500+). Students who complete this program of study are recommended for an Initial School Counseling License (K-12) and an Initial School Adjustment Counselor License (K-12), which are equivalent to a provisional educator certificate with advanced standing. These licenses are valid for five years and can be renewed at the MA Education Commissioner’s discretion. Please note: School Adjustment Counseling licensure does not qualify for reciprocity with other states, as it is a unique position in Massachusetts. For further information about licensure requirements and documentation, please visit the Licensure Section of this handbook.