UMass Boston's Mental Health Counseling MS focuses on a challenging and rewarding academic program to prepare you for a career as a mental health counselor. It's designed for people interested in pursuing an advanced degree and state licensure to work in mental health counseling. The program begins with a two-week in-person study at or near the UMass Boston campus where you'll get to know your cohort and complete two courses (6 credits) of your degree. Throughout the program, you'll get hands-on experience as you complete some of your required clinical fieldwork hours through an approved field placement under appropriate supervision. At the end of the program, you'll meet the academic requirements for state licensure in mental health counseling in the state of Massachusetts and will have completed all of the pre-graduation clinical fieldwork hours required for licensure.