School Adjustment Counseling Concentration, M.A.

Counseling graduate student at commencement smiling at faculty member.

Guiding Students to Success – Nurturing Growth, Confidence, and Well-Being

School Adjustment Counselors play a vital role in supporting students' social, emotional, and personal well-being. They offer a variety of services to help students navigate challenges in and out of the classroom. These services include individual and small group counseling, social skills groups, mediation, and conflict resolution, as well as crisis intervention and transitional support. Counselors also collaborate with teachers, parents, and school staff to address issues such as bullying, student behavior, and academic difficulties. Additionally, they may provide referrals to community resources like family service agencies, child guidance clinics, or protective services.

For those pursuing a career in school adjustment counseling, À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ offers a comprehensive 60-credit graduate program in counseling, with a specialized track in School Adjustment Counseling. This program prepares students for licensure in Massachusetts by meeting the requirements set by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education. Key courses cover a range of topics, from counseling theory and techniques to crisis intervention, ethics, and counseling diverse populations. Students in this track also complete internship experiences and develop a professional portfolio to demonstrate their readiness to work as School Adjustment Counselors at all educational levels.

Program Highlights

  • Required courses - 60 credits
  • Meet all DESE requirements for School Adjustment Counselor licensure
  • Develop expertise in counseling, crisis intervention, and student support
  • Gain real-world experience through school and community-based internships

Building Strong Foundations – Supporting Students Every Step of the Way

Ready to make a difference? Explore how our School Adjustment Counseling program can help students overcome challenges and reach their full potential.

Transforming Challenges into Opportunities – Your Path to Becoming a School Adjustment Counselor

  • A counselor talks with a patient sitting across from them.

    Holistic Student Support

    Our program provides in-depth training in counseling, crisis management, and conflict resolution, equipping you to support students in all areas of their lives. You’ll develop the skills to address not only academic challenges but also emotional and social issues that affect student well-being. With a blend of theoretical learning, hands-on practice, and real-world experience, you’ll be prepared to guide students through key moments of growth and change.

  • Campus globe in the summer with blue skies behind it.

    Real-World Experience with Internship Opportunities

    Gain valuable, hands-on experience through flexible internship placements in schools and community settings. Our program offers the chance to work directly with students, teachers, and school staff, helping you build the practical skills necessary for a successful career as a School Adjustment Counselor. These internships bridge the gap between classroom knowledge and professional practice, providing you with the experience you need to excel in the field.

  • Psychology graduate student in classroom with laptop.

    Licensure and Career Readiness

    Designed to meet all Massachusetts Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) requirements, our program prepares you for licensure as a School Adjustment Counselor. The curriculum covers counseling theories, ethical practices, crisis intervention, and supporting diverse populations, equipping you to make a lasting impact in schools and communities.

What Can You Do with a School Adjustment Counseling Concentration?

A concentration in School Adjustment Counseling at the graduate level opens up a range of impactful career opportunities in the educational and mental health fields. With this specialized training, you can pursue roles that allow you to support students' emotional, social, and academic development. Here are some potential career paths:

  • School Adjustment Counselor
  • School Social Worker
  • Academic Advisor
  • Behavioral Interventionist
  • Crisis Intervention Specialist
  • Family Support Specialist
  • Mental Health Counselor
  • Program Coordinator for Student Support Services
Graduate student at commencement with faculty member.

Ready to learn more?

Course Requirements

Program Description

School Adjustment Counselors provide social, emotional, and personal support to students.  Students may meet individually in a one-to-one confidential setting, in small groups, and provide other services, including but not limited to:

  • Individual and small group counseling 
  • Lunch groups / Social skills groups
  • Mediation and conflict resolution for students, parents, and school staff
  • Meeting with parents, teachers, and school administrators
  • Bullying prevention
  • Serving as a liaison for a student
  • Crisis intervention
  • Transitional services
  • Offering recommendations to home, school, or community resources (e.g., family service agencies, child guidance clinics, courts, protective services)

 

The services provided by the School Adjustment Counselor are a regular education service and a child does not have to be on an educational plan to access these services.  School personnel (e.g., teachers, Principal, nurse), as well as parents, may refer a student to the School Adjustment Counselor if they believe s/he may benefit.  Students can also request to meet with a School Adjustment Counselor for assistance with various issues including academic, social or personal matters. To review student handbook on School Adjustment Counseling refer to link below.

Master of Arts in Counseling

The Department of Psychology offers a 60-credit graduate program in counseling designed to serve the student who plans to enter the applied fields of counseling after receiving the M.A. The program offers four specialized tracks: school counseling, school adjustment counseling , forensic mental health counseling and mental health counseling.

Program Policies

The M.A. program must be completed within seven years of the first course counted toward the degree. Since courses are offered in a sequence rather than each semester, planning with advisors is imperative. Upon acceptance into the program, the student is assigned an advisor who will assist in planning a program to fit individual needs. There will be continual evaluation during the course of study with students apprised of their progress. A favorable evaluation is necessary for continuation in the program. The granting of the degree is based on professional competence, completion of the program of study, and satisfactory performance in a comprehensive exam or professional portfolio.

To accommodate students who work and/or have other substantial demands placed upon their time, courses are offered during the evenings and/or late afternoon. Important exceptions to this schedule are the Pre-practicum, Practicum and Internship experiences. While some placements permit flexible scheduling, many place restrictions on scheduling. Since these experiences are an essential component of counselor training, students must plan for the flexibility that will allow them to complete these requirements.

Dispositional Assessment

Candidates will be subject to an ongoing dispositional assessment coordinated by the faculty advisor in collaboration with cooperating course instructors, faculty supervisors, and site supervisors. In order for a candidate to advance academically from semester to semester, advance to a Field Placement or graduate with an M.A. Counseling degree, they must hold no unresolved "0" or "-1" scores in their dispositional record.

Any candidate who fails to achieve and maintain a satisfactory level on the Dispositional Assessment will be subject to review by the Graduate Committee in Counseling who may determine that the candidate can proceed without intervention or may work with the candidate (or provide a designated faculty member to work with the candidate) on a remedial plan. The Graduate Committee in Counseling may also decide the candidate is not eligible to proceed academically or proceed to Field Placement. If a candidate's assessment displays "0" or "-1" scores, the Graduate Committee in Counseling may remove them from a Field Placement.

Admission Requirements

Admissions requirements for MA programs, including Mental Health Counseling, Forensic Mental Health Counseling, School Counseling, and School Adjustment Counseling  are:

  • Official transcripts indicating a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
  • Applicants with a firm foundation in psychology, education, or related field are highly preferred. [Note - applicants with degrees in unrelated fields may enhance their application through the successful completion of undergraduate courses in Statistics, Child or Adolescent Development, Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Counseling, and/or Behavior Modification, as appropriate to the targeted degree program.
  • A 3.0 overall undergraduate GPA.
  • Applicants must submit the Graduate Admissions application specifying either Mental Health Counseling, Forensic Mental Health Counseling, School Adjustment Counseling, OR School Counseling AND whether they would like to attend full-time or part-time.
  • Applicants must submit three letters of reference, including at least one academic reference.
  • Applicants must submit a personal statement that describes (1) reason for interest in the field, (2) assessment of personal strengths and limitations, and (3) goals of graduate study.
  • Applicants must submit a professional vitae or resume, including information on prior and/or current volunteer and /or employment positions.
  • Applicants selected for interviews must attend a formal interview with members of the graduate admissions committee.
  • Applicants applying to the School Counseling program or School Adjustment Counseling must submit passing scores in Communication and Literacy Skills portions of the Massachusetts Educators Certification Tests (MTEL).
  • Applicants may  transfer in up to 6 graduate credits toward their degree program, assessed following successful matriculation.
  • In extraordinary circumstances, one or more of the above requirements may be waived by the graduate admissions committee.

The closing date for receipt of all admissions materials is February 1st.

Notice of acceptance will occur on or about April 15th for study beginning the following September.

Due to the competitive natures of these programs, we require a nonrefundable program deposit of $150.00 within 10 days of acceptance. This deposit is used to ensure your space in the program. The deposit is applied to your first registration as a matriculated student in the Fall semester immediately following your acceptance. If we do not hear from you within 10 days, we will assume you have selected an alternative direction, and we will close your matriculation.

School Adjustment Counseling 60 Credits
Route to Initial Licensure: School Adjustment Counselor (Levels: All)

 

The Department of Psychology at À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ offers a 60-credit graduate Master's program in Counseling with a specialized track in school adjustment counseling (levels: all). Successful completion of the course requirements and the Professional Portfolio demonstrate that the candidates have acquired subject matter knowledge and application competencies required by the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education for the School Adjustment Counselor license. The specific subject matter knowledge and courses meeting the standards are presented below.

School Adjustment Counselors

Required Courses- 48 credits

  • *Pre-practicum Hours for Licensure are included in these courses

Internship Requirements-3-12

Additional Requirements

Professional Portfolio Must be Passed

Get Big School Features with Small School Advantages.

We offer high-quality academics, unique learning opportunities, and a gorgeous campus—and we have small classes, accessible faculty, and one-on-one support. 

You'll join fellow motivated graduate students ready to make the most of the college experience through active participation. Become part of a caring and committed community that understands and embraces the bridge between academic study and civic responsibility.

  • February 1

    Application deadline for fall admission

  • On-the-job

    experience through practicum

  • Full-time

    or part-time options

Expert Faculty with Diverse Specialties

Faculty bring diverse professional backgrounds and specialties, united by a commitment to scientific inquiry and student success. Small class sizes provide direct access to personalized guidance, while a close-knit environment fosters collaboration and networking, enriching your academic and professional growth.

Faculty member speaking with two other people in a classroom setting.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the application requirements for the Master of Arts in Counseling program?

Prospective students should access the graduate application online at 

The following material must be received for an application to be reviewed:

  1. Completed graduate application and $50 application fee. In your application, please indicate your concentration preference: Mental Health Counseling, Forensic Mental Health Counseling, Law Enforcement Co-Response Concentration in Mental Health Counseling, School Adjustment Counseling, or School Counseling. Additionally, please specify if you will be attending full-time or part-time.
  2. Official transcripts indicating a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university.
  3. Applicants must submit three letters of reference, including at least one academic reference.
  4. Applicants must submit a personal statement that describes (1) reason for interest in the field, (2) assessment of personal strengths and limitations, and (3) goals of graduate study.
  5. Applicants must submit a professional vitae or resume, including information on prior and/or current volunteer and/or employment positions.
  6. Applicants applying to the School Counseling program or School Adjustment Counseling must submit passing scores on the . 

The closing date for receipt of all admissions materials is February 1st for fall admission.

Applicants with a firm foundation in psychology, education, or related field are highly preferred. Note - applicants with degrees in unrelated fields may enhance their application through the successful completion of undergraduate courses in Statistics, Child or Adolescent Development, Personality, Abnormal Psychology, Counseling, and/or Behavior Modification, as appropriate to the targeted degree program.

Applicants selected for interviews must attend a formal interview with members of the graduate admissions committee. 

Notice of acceptance will occur on or about April 15th for study beginning the following September. 

Due to the competitive nature of these programs, we require a nonrefundable program deposit of $150.00 within 10 days of acceptance. This deposit is used to ensure your space in the program. The deposit is applied to your first registration as a matriculated student in the fall semester immediately following your acceptance. If we do not hear from you within 10 days, we will assume you have selected an alternative direction, and we will close your matriculation.

How long will it take me to complete the master’s degree?

Full-time students typically complete the program in three years, while part-time students take about four years, offering flexibility to accommodate diverse schedules.

How are courses offered?

Most courses are offered in-person during the evening on campus with the some online or remote synchronous courses offered, providing a convenient schedule for our students. It's essential to note that an exception to this is the flexibility required to complete practicum hours during the daytime.

Do I have to submit GRE/MAT or MTEL scores when I apply?

No, we do not require a GRE or MAT.  However, applicants applying to the school counseling or school adjustment counseling programs must submit passing reading and writing scores on the . 

Is graduate housing available?

Discover graduate living at  â€“ your gateway to a vibrant community and tailored amenities. Choose from four-person apartments featuring single and premium single rooms, all inclusive of utilities and internet. Make connections by signing up as a group or embark on an individual adventure with like-minded roommates. Revel in the comfort of fully furnished apartments, boasting a well-equipped kitchen with a breakfast bar, cozy bathrooms, and inviting shared living spaces.

Your convenience is our priority – enjoy free laundry facilities on campus and parking at an affordable rate. Immerse yourself in academic pursuits with easy access to the campus library or prioritize your well-being at our fitness centers.

Whether you prefer cooking with your roommates or opting for a meal plan, relish access to an array of campus dining options, including late-night and takeaway choices. Elevate your graduate experience with Welch Hall Apartments – where living meets exceptional comfort and convenience.

For more information contact housing@westfield.ma.edu or 413-572-5402.

How much does À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ cost?

À¶Ý®ÊÓƵ offers a comprehensive university experience at an affordable cost—with many options for financial aid. Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more. 

Do you offer graduate assistantships?

Yes, a limited number of graduate assistantships are available each year for graduate students. These opportunities are competitive and are awarded to students with excellent academic records who are enrolled in a graduate degree program.

This valuable opportunity can enhance your academic journey and provide valuable experience. Don't miss out on the chance to be part of this enriching program!

Learn more about graduate assistantships.

Will I receive academic support?

Yes, students have a dedicated advisor – your compass through class choices and beyond. Beyond academics, your advisor becomes a mentor, guiding you on further education and career paths. We're not just about classes; we connect you to resources like the Banacos Center and the Reading & Writing Center. At every step, we're here to ensure your success is our priority.

Do you offer scholarships?

Yes, we offer the Supporting Our Schools Scholarship for school and adjustment counseling concentrations. 

Request Information

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School Adjustment Counseling Concentration, M.A.