You Belong Here
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Counseling & Psychology

Counseling

Bachelor of Science (BS)

Help people move forward in their lives.

Do friends bring you their problems, because you’ll listen without judgment? Ever wish you could help people find direction in their lives? Your concern for others can be a stepping stone to a career in counseling.

Our program teaches you the basics of psychology—the study of how humans think, act, and feel. You’ll learn about human development and become familiar with practical ways of helping people resolve problems. And, with our reimagined general education curriculum, you'll be even more prepared to succeed in an increasingly complex, diverse, and global world.

Internships will give you the opportunity to work in places such as schools, homeless shelters, and community mental health centers. Engage your activism and approach counseling from a social justice framework. You’ll be mentored at each step by our expert faculty, and become confident in a range of professional settings.

You'll transform lives and communities as a mental health counselor, hospital music therapist, grief counselor, mindfulness coach for stress management, and more. And the connections you make in your internships in places like Doc Wayne, RESPOND, Bournewood Hospital, Boston Municipal Court and more will help launch your career.

Choose an optional specialization in expressive arts therapy (using your talents in visual art, drama, dance, music, or writing) or holistic psychology (exploring the connections between mind, spirit, and body). Our counseling program prepares you to begin a career in human services or to continue on to our graduate programs in counseling psychology or mental health counseling. 

Undergraduate Program Inquiry Form

Program Structure

Full-time or part-time on-campus program

120 Credits

  • Lesley-Somerville ARPA Scholars Application

    Lesley University has been awarded a Federal ARPA grant through the City of Somerville to financially support Somerville residents or individuals employed in Somerville who wish to pursue or advance a professional undergraduate or graduate degree at Lesley University in Social Work, Mental Health Counseling, or Human Services.  

    • New students must apply to and be accepted into one of the eligible programs at Lesley to be considered for ARPA funding.
    • Matriculated students in one of the eligible programs may apply for the ARPA funding. 
    • Accepted applicants for the ARPA funds will receive tuition relief at Lesley University for up to one year during the period from July 1, 2023 through June 30, 2024. Funding decisions will be made on a funds-available basis. 
    • Lesley’s financial aid team will work with individuals to identify additional funding opportunities beyond the first year of study. 
    • All ARPA funding applicants are required to fill out a FAFSA form regardless of need. 


    Apply for ARPA funding

Thinking about transferring here?

Log in to Transferology, add the courses you've taken, and see how they'll transfer to Lesley University.

“I had an interest in the helping professions from the start, and that’s what drew me to Lesley.”
Noa Kupfer ’13, Counseling major with specialization in expressive arts therapy
Craft Creative Combinations
As a Counseling major, you can pursue a second major or one of our 45+ minors—in art & design or a liberal arts subject—to expand your career opportunities.

Forge your own path with a creative combination:
Gain Skills & Expertise
Here's a taste of what you'll do in our counseling program:
students playing instruments

Small College, Big University

Within the dynamic environment of a larger university, you'll receive the personalized education of a small liberal arts college of 1,300 students. You'll benefit from the largest network of licensed mental health counselors in New England—with more than 1,000 Lesley counseling graduates in the last 5 years alone. Our undergraduate- and graduate-level faculty can help you explore how to use the arts to heal through the innovative Expressive Therapies field, which Lesley founded over 40 years ago.

Careers
Jobs You Could Have
The field of mental health counseling is expanding rapidly, making this an exciting time to pursue these careers. Common job titles for people with bachelor's degrees in psychology include:
Careers
Where You Could Work
Massachusetts and Greater Boston have a large concentration of medical, healthcare, and mental health-related organizations. Top employers of psychology graduates include:
doble campus during the fall

Cambridge is our campus. Boston is our neighbor.

Whether you're pursuing art therapy, counseling, or another major in psychology or applied therapies, you'll take classes on our three beautiful Cambridge campuses near Harvard Square. You'll discover the Cambridge and Boston area—a dynamic hub of professional opportunity, service work, culture, and fun few other cities can match. And, you'll build your résumé and make connections through internships with some of the most prestigious healthcare and community organizations in Greater Boston.

Faculty

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program.
Counseling
Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Software Fee
    $200
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Housing Options
Compare the cost of the program for students who live on campus in a residence hall with the cost for commuter students.
  • Tuition
    Fall Tuition
    $15,945
    Spring Tuition
    $15,945
  • Fees
    Software Fee
    $200
    Fall Comprehensive Fee
    $445
    Spring Comprehensive Fee
    $445
  • Room & Board
    Fall Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Spring Health and Wellness Fee
    $445
    Fall Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Spring Room (double, triple, or quad room)
    $5,740
    Fall Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Spring Meal Plan
    $3,790
    Housing Deposit (one-time fee)
    $300
  • Total cost before financial aid
Estimated Cost

Merit Scholarships & Financial Aid

It’s our goal at Lesley to break down financial barriers so that students who want to learn here, can learn here. That’s why we offer generous, customized aid packages for students based on their individual needs. In fact, more than 98% of our full-time undergraduate students receive some form of financial aid. Learn more about Financial Aid & Scholarships.

Tuition & Fees

Other fees may apply. Review all undergraduate tuition and fees, and what they cover.

Tuition and fees are subject to change each year, effective June 1.

Apply Now

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.

Approximate cost, before financial aid, for one year of study in this undergraduate program. Tuition and fees are for the 2023–2024 academic year.
Use our step-by-step guide to apply for federal, state, and university funding. Scholarships, grants, Work-Study, and loans. It’s all right here.

Next steps to apply

Ready to get started? We're here to make the application process as smooth as possible. Just answer a few quick questions, and get your customized application guide.