Risk and Prevention

Program Description

Risk and Prevention is dedicated to the practical application of contemporary research on risk, resilience, and prevention programming for children and adolescents in both school and community settings. The goal of the program is to prepare professionals to promote healthy social and emotional development and academic achievement through direct intervention and prevention services, program development, advocacy, consultation and leadership.

The Risk and Prevention program draws from a wide range of human development and educational theory, public policy, and research to inform the training of counselors and specialists.

Masters of Education (Ed.M.) in Risk and Prevention

The Ed.M. in Risk and Prevention is a full-time, one-year program that combines interdisciplinary coursework with a year-long practicum or research experience. Students gain the knowledge, perspective, and skills necessary to examine psychological, academic, and social problems and their influence on human development. The program is grounded in a systems perspective and emphasizes the important role of relationships for fostering resiliency. Students explore a wide range of issues, including the influences of early attachment, violence and trauma, gender and sexuality, and resilience and motivating factors as they relate to educational process and prevention practices.

Those students who wish to continue their graduate studies beyond the master’s degree and pursue Massachusetts initial licensure as a School Guidance Counselor or a School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Worker may choose to apply for a second year of training leading to a Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Counseling.

Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S.) in Counseling

The Certificate of Advanced Study (C.A.S) provides an additional year of study and practice following the one-year Ed.M. in Risk and Prevention. The nature of this continuous program enables students to probe deeper into the theory and research of counseling in school contexts, while also increasing their professional field experience. Students who complete the C.A.S. following a master’s in Risk and Prevention will be eligible for Massachusetts initial licensure in either School Adjustment Counselor/School Social Work or School Guidance Counseling. After completing the fall semester, Ed.M. students may apply for the C.A.S. by submitting an application to the admissions office. R&P alumni who are interested in returning to HGSE to complete the CAS are invited to contact the program coordinator, Alicia Redemske, to determine their eligibility.