Introduction to the MS in Mental Health Counseling Program

The MS in Mental Health Counseling program is a 60-credit graduate program designed to provide students with the core knowledge and skills necessary to become effective mental health counselors. The program is registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and satisfies the educational requirements for the New York State Mental Health Counselors License.

Program Overview

Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote positive overall mental health. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction, and substance abuse. The program provides students with a comprehensive education in mental health counseling, including coursework, practicum, and internship experiences.

Program Curriculum

The program curriculum includes:

• Introductory courses (12 credits)
  • CSP 615: Professional Issues and Ethics in Counseling
  • CSP 649: Counseling Theories and Applications
  • CSP 652: Human Development Across the Lifespan
  • CSP 654: Counseling Skills and Processes
• Common core courses (12 credits)
  • CSP 659: Counseling in a Pluralistic Setting
  • CSP 660A: Group Work
  • CSP 668A: Assessment and Diagnosis in Counseling Diverse Populations
  • CSP 682: Career Development and Counseling
• Specialty courses (9 credits)
  • CSP 706: Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
  • CSP 709: Research, Evidence-based Practice and Program Evaluation
  • CSP 712: Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology
• Internship courses (15 credits)
  • CSP 661M: Practicum in Mental Health Counseling
  • CSP 665M: Mental Health Counseling Internship I
  • CSP 666M: Mental Health Counseling Internship II
• Electives (12 credits)
  • Students are required to take 4 additional elective courses to meet the 60-credit requirement

Course Descriptions

• CSP 615: Professional Issues and Ethics in Counseling - An overview of professional orientation and ethical practice.
• CSP 649: Counseling Theories & Applications - Counseling theories and techniques and their application within a diverse society.
• CSP 652: Human Development Across the Lifespan - An overview of theories of individual and family development.
• CSP 654: Counseling Skills and Processes - Counselor characteristics and behaviors that influence helping processes.
• CSP 659: Counseling in a Pluralistic Society - An exploration of the context of relationships, issues, and trends in a culturally and linguistically diverse society.
• CSP 660A: Group Work - An introduction to principles of group dynamics, approaches to group leadership and authority.
• CSP 668A: Assessment and Diagnosis in Counseling Diverse Populations - This course integrates different perspectives in individual and group assessment.
• CSP 682: Lifestyle & Career Development in Counseling - Study of the meaning of work in people's lives, career development theories, decision-making models, and programming.
• CSP 706: Foundations of Mental Health Counseling - Introduction to the history, philosophy, and current trends in mental health counseling.
• CSP 709: Research, Evidence-Based Practice and Program Evaluation - Introduction to quantitative and qualitative research methods.
• CSP 712: Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology - This course explores the major diagnostic categories of psychopathology according to the current DSM classification system.
• CSP 661M: Mental Health Counseling Practicum - Students participate in a field experience, receiving individual supervision at the practicum site and group supervision in the classroom setting.
• CSP 665M: Mental Health Counseling Internship I - Students work 300 hours in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.
• CSP 666M: Mental Health Counseling Internship II - Students work 300 hours in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional.

Admissions Requirements

• A baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution
• A minimum undergraduate and graduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
• A minimum of 12 semester hours of psychology courses or related social science courses AND a course in statistics
• A passing score on the GRE may be submitted in conjunction with an in-depth review of other supporting documents/qualifications for consideration in cases where a candidate is missing some of the academic requirements

Licensure & Certification

The School of Health Professions at Long Island University's (Brooklyn Campus) Mental Health Counseling program (MHC) is registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED), meeting the educational standards required for licensure in the state of New York. Graduates are eligible to apply for licensure in all 50 states. MHC graduates are also eligible to apply to sit for board certification through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

FAQs

• What can I do with a Master's in Mental Health Counseling? - After becoming a licensed mental health counselor, you can work in hospitals, schools, mental health centers, government agencies, and even open your own private practice.
• What is the salary for LMHCs in NY? - In NYC, the average salary for a licensed mental health counselor ranges between $70,000- $120,000.
• What is the program length? - The program is a 60-credit master's and can be completed in 2 or 3 years.
• What is the fieldwork component of the MHC program? - Students will complete 700-hours of clinical fieldwork experiences; 100-hours in a practicum placement and 600-hours of Internship.

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Overview:

• Founded in 1926 as the Brooklyn Law School
• Expanded to become Long Island University in 1954
• Currently has 6 campuses across New York State
• Enrolls over 20,000 students
• Notable achievements:
  • Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report
  • Recognized for its strong programs in business, education, and health sciences
  • Home to the Arnold & Marie Schwartz College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, one of the largest pharmacy schools in the country

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Student Life:

Extracurricular Activities:

Over 200 student clubs and organizations, including academic, cultural, social, and recreational groups

Clubs:

Examples include the Student Government Association, the Black Student Union, and the International Student Association

Sports Teams:

NCAA Division I athletics in 16 sports, including basketball, football, and soccer

• Student Support Services:

  • Academic Advising
  • Career Counseling
  • Health and Wellness Center
  • Counseling and Psychological Services

• Campus Facilities:

  • Modern academic buildings
  • State-of-the-art athletic facilities
  • Student centers with dining, recreation, and study spaces
  • On-campus housing available at most campuses

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Academics:

• Academic Resources:

  • Over 100 undergraduate and graduate programs
  • Faculty of over 1,000 full-time and part-time professors
  • Research centers and institutes in various fields

• Teaching Methodologies:

  • Traditional lectures
  • Small group discussions
  • Hands-on learning experiences
  • Online and hybrid courses

• Academic Support Services:

  • Tutoring
  • Writing Center
  • Math Lab

• Unique Academic Programs or Initiatives:

  • Honors College
  • Global Studies Program
  • Experiential Learning Program

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Top Reasons to Study Here:

Reputation:

Ranked among the top 200 universities in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report

Specialized Facilities:

State-of-the-art facilities for health sciences, business, and education

Industry Connections:

Partnerships with leading companies and organizations

Notable Alumni:

Includes politicians, business leaders, and entertainers, such as former New York City Mayor David Dinkins and actor Alec Baldwin

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Services:

Counseling:

Counseling and Psychological Services provides individual and group counseling, as well as crisis intervention

Health:

Health and Wellness Center offers medical care, vaccinations, and health education

Housing:

On-campus housing available at most campuses, including traditional dorms, apartments, and townhouses

Library Resources:

Over 1 million volumes in the university libraries, as well as access to online databases and research tools

Technology Support:

IT Help Desk provides technical assistance and support for students

Career Development:

Career Services offers resume writing, interview preparation, and job search assistance