List of Schools in Massachusetts That Offers Counseling Programs

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For those living in Massachusetts and thinking of pursuing a career as a counselor, there are a few things to consider before picking a school. Counseling isn’t a great career choice for just anyone. Students who go this route have to be dedicated to their craft and willing to put in the time and training it takes to be successful as a counselor.

The job market is tough and competition is high. Once employed, counselors have to be able to function well in high stress situations and work long hours in order to help families and individuals in crisis. A strong sense of compassion and desire to help people overcome mental and behavioral disorders is also a must.

Massachusetts Counseling School Choices

If none of the things mentioned above seem too difficult to continue, then a career as counselor could be a great fit. Of course, the first step in the process to becoming a successful counselor is picking the right school to attend in order to get a degree in psychology. For students who wish to attend school and work in the field of counseling in Massachusetts, the following schools offer quality counseling programs:

•University of Massachusetts
•Massachusetts School of Professional Psychology
•Lesley University
•Bridgewater State College
•Boston University
•Salem State University
•Northeastern University
•Suffolk University
•Boston College
•Cambridge College
•Emmanuel College – Boston

Counseling in Massachusetts Statistics

Once a degree program has been completed and its time to begin a career as a counselor, graduates should consider the following statistics in order to decide where best to pursue employment. Take a look at the following statistics regarding employment in Massachusetts to get an idea of the growth rate, salary expectations, and other important facts regarding counseling in Massachusetts.

•20,590 counseling professionals currently employed in Massachusetts
•Median salary for counselors in Boston is $51,600
•In comparison to other psychology professions, counselors in Boston earn less than average
•Between 2006 and 2010, available counseling jobs shrunk by 10%

Is Counseling a Good Fit?

It’s easy to see by the statistics listed above that working in the field of counseling in Massachusetts is a tough road to follow. Only those with a strong desire to work in the field will be successful. With stiff competition and poor job growth, anyone wanting to work as a counselor will have to prove he or she is better than the competition.

In order to do that, a student considering counseling as a career needs to step back and really consider if counseling is a good fit for their personality and career goals. Since counselors work closely with families and individuals struggling with mental, emotional, and behavioral issues, there are a few personality traits that must be present.

Counselors have to be compassionate, intelligent, patient, and able to handle high stress situations while remaining calm. Counselors must also be able to assess, diagnose, and treat psychological problems without prejudice or judgment. The work environment for a counselor is usually a clinical setting at a hospital, clinic, private practice, government office, school, or on site at a large company.

Before chasing a degree in counseling, carefully consider the characteristics necessary to become a successful counselor. Counseling takes a lifetime of commitment and only those willing to jump in with both feet will succeed.