Program Overview

Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Program Overview

The Department of Psychology offers a Master of Arts (MA) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling that is 60 credits (2 1/2 years) and is designed to fulfill the educational needs of those wishing to be licensed as Mental Health Counselors. The Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is registered with New York State as a licensure qualifying program and is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of August, 2016 through August, 2026.

Program Format and Duration

• The program format is in-person.
• The program duration is 60 credits (full-time), which typically takes 2 1/2 years to complete.

Program Description

Mental health counseling is a field within the practice of professional counseling. Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat emotional and mental disorders and to promote mental health. The settings in which mental health counselors work are diverse and include hospitals, private and public outpatient facilities, schools, agencies, employee assistance, industrial and organizational settings, advocacy, substance abuse treatment facilities, criminal justice, and private practice.

Curriculum and Faculty

The core faculty who teach and supervise student progress are concerned about the vicissitudes, the challenges, and the difficulties inherent in the human condition; our curriculum reflects these concerns as well as fulfills New York State requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor. We continually address cultural and social problems as they emerge and change in our diverse and challenging world. We teach our students to carry out their professional responsibilities in ways that promote social justice. We intend to prepare students to work with children, adolescents, adults, families, groups, and organizations using their highly developed cognitive and affective skills. We believe that counseling professionals ought to have a lifelong learning commitment that will support their continual inquiry into new ways of helping people.

Admission Requirements

Applicants to the program are expected to have a Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 undergraduate average. Applicants must have completed the following 6 undergraduate courses:

• General or Introductory Psychology
• Child or Adolescent or Developmental Psychology
• Psychopathology or Abnormal Psychology
• Personality Theory
• Methods in Psychology or Experimental Psychology
• Statistics for the Social Sciences. The prerequisite courses can be taken at any regionally accredited institution(s) of higher learning, including fully online regionally accredited programs, and may be taken at either the undergraduate and/or graduate level(s).

Application Procedures

• Graduate Application: The application must be completed online.
• Transcripts: Transcripts must be sent directly to the Graduate Admissions office from each university/college attended. Applicants who have studied outside of the United States are required to submit an official course by course evaluation for each university/college attended.
• Application Fee: Submit a non-refundable application fee.
• Letter of Intent: A one-to-two page letter of intent, detailing interest in the field, academic and related experience (if any), and the reason(s) for selecting this field of study.
• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation are required. At least one letter should come from a current or former professor.
• Interview and Writing Sample: After initial review, applicants may be selected for an on-site interview and on-site writing sample.
• English Proficiency Examination: Required for students for whom English is a second language, with minimum scores as follows:
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): 600 (Paper), 250 (Computer), or 100 (Internet)
  • International English Language Testing System (IELTS): 7 (overall band)
  • Pearson Test of English (PTE): 68
  • Duolingo English Test: 100

Program Director and Manager

• Program Director: Dr. Frances Melendez
• Program Manager: Dr. Lorianne Crowder

Eligibility for Admission

All CUNY licensed health professions programs will consider students to be eligible for admission consistent with the regulations of the New York State Education Department (NYSED) that make professional licensure available not only to U.S. citizens but to non-citizens so long as they are "not unlawfully present in the United States," including those with Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) and those who are permanently residing in the United States under color of law (PRUCOL).