The purpose of the School Counseling program is to prepare thoughtful and responsive practitioners to work effectively in urban schools and communities as school counselors. The program is committed to the preparation of highly qualified professionals who effectively address the needs of children, adults, and families of diverse cultural and ethnic backgrounds, abilities, and needs. Located within an urban university, the program is dedicated to the training of professionals who most likely will work in, and provide counseling and related activities to individuals representing an urban and diverse population. Students acquire: skills in applying theories and techniques of individual, group and family counseling, knowledge in understanding of the theoretical basis of behavior, an understanding of labor market trends and occupational information, skills evaluation approaches including interpretation of vocational evaluations and the Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment System (MCAS), knowledge of statistical methods and research analyses, knowledge of the Curriculum Frameworks and their use in the schools, knowledge of consultation and of the coordination of school resources in student advocacy, an understanding of federal, state, municipal and school laws and regulations, knowledge of strategies for the prevention and treatment of substance abuse, physical abuse and sexual abuse, knowledge of the spectrum of mental illnesses and violence in Pre-K-12 students, and skills to understand and evaluate ethical dilemmas involving school counseling services.