Suffolk University’s School Counseling program prepares its students to work in middle and high schools (grades 5-12) in the state of Massachusetts. Most graduates end up working in the greater Boston area, with a handful of folks moving to other states. Just under 90% of our graduates over the past 2 years have obtained employment in school counseling or a closely related field within 6 months of graduation.

We offer a 36-credit program of study leading to an M.Ed. in School Counseling, and initial certification as a school guidance counselor in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. All of the courses leading to the M.Ed. degree are required, and can be completed on either a full or part-time basis. The degree can be completed in two years of full-time study (first year is 24 credits, and the second is 12), or part-time in three years by taking two courses per semester. Most of the students pursue our program on a full-time basis during their first year, and a half-time basis during their second year. Students in the school counseling program who are engaged in their internship experience qualify for the University health insurance plan as long as they are registered for 3 credits in addition to their internship.

Our program is a small one, with about 30 students in year 1 and 2 of their studies. Our class sizes are also small, with an average class size of 15 students. We do not typically offer summer classes that count towards the M.Ed. degree, so unfortunately (for the moment), the degree does take two academic years to complete. However, there is an upside to it taking two years; when you start your internship, you are able to hit the ground running because you have already completed the majority of the coursework, and therefore have plenty of knowledge to practice school counseling with!

Regarding admissions testing, we will accept the GRE, MAT, or the MTEL as an admissions test. We prefer the MTEL, as you will need to take and pass that test to finish the M.Ed. degree (you need to pass it before you can begin your internship).

Questions can be directed to Dr. Poynton, program director, at tpoynton@suffolk.edu.