Program Overview

Mental Health Counseling (MSEd) Program

The Mental Health Counseling program prepares graduates to work as mental health counselors in hospital, agency, and community settings, as well as in private practice. Students can complete the program part-time or full-time.

Academic Plan

• The program code is MENHC-MSED.
• Students must earn at least 60 credits to complete the program.

Program Mission Statement

Our mission is to train clinicians who are clinically insightful, capable of practicing in various clinical settings, and committed to serving a diverse population that reflects the fabric of New York City. We value an education that promotes cultural humility, curiosity, empathy, critical thinking, self-awareness, ethical practice, advocacy, and an appreciation of human diversity. Our aim is for trainees to provide therapeutic interventions that are evidence-based, offer practical solutions to everyday concerns, foster personal insight, and promote self-efficacy and overall well-being.

Program Objectives

Counselor education students will demonstrate a set of values and attitudes consistent with the highest professional standards. They are expected to identify with the counseling profession and to adhere to the counseling program's objectives. The objectives include:

1. Students develop a professional identity aligned with the roles and functions of professional school counselors.
2. Students become effective counselors who use clinical skills and evidence-based strategies to improve the lives of their clients.
3. Students apply ethical standards, principles, and legal considerations in their work with clients.
4. Students develop and demonstrate multicultural humility, knowledge, skills, and advocacy by actively minimizing stereotyping, prejudice, and stigmatization.
5. Students develop an awareness of and a strengths-based approach to human development across the lifespan, including the impact of family, community, and environmental factors, and apply strategies to promote wellness.
6. Students demonstrate the competencies to work both individually and systemically within complex systems by advocating for access, equity, and social justice.

Advisors and Faculty

• Veronica Muller, Program Leader
• Alex Fietzer, Program Faculty
• Linzy Andre, Program Faculty
• Uzma Khan, Program Faculty
• Michelle Lask, Clinical Coordinator of Field Placements
• Hadeel Elder, Program Faculty/Fieldwork Site Development
• Valerie Lyons, Academic, Licensure, and Graduation Advisor

Annual Report and Student Outcomes

The Counseling Programs Student Outcomes Report is provided in compliance with The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), the body that accredits the Hunter College School of Education's program in clinical rehabilitation counseling.

Program Sequence

Consult the program sequence for course information.

Transfer of Credits

A matriculated student may request a transfer of credit for a graduate-level course completed at another institution. To be eligible, the course must have been taken within the past five years and closely match the content of a required course in the student's Hunter College program. The request will be reviewed by faculty for equivalence. Each program sets the courses for which a transfer will be considered. Graduate students are limited to 12 transfer credits.

Courses Permitted for Transfer

Graduate students are limited to 12 transfer credits. The program will review transfer of credit requests for the following courses:

• COCO 70000 Life Stage Development
• COCO 70200 Theories of Counseling
• COCO 70300 Psych Social, Cultural, and Political Aspects of Disability: Rehabilitation and Special Education
• COCO 70800 Measurement and Appraisal
• COCO 70900 Research Methods in Counseling
• COCO 71000 Chemical Dependency: Issues in Counseling
• COCO 71100 Supervision and Administration in Counseling
• COCO 71200 Career Counseling, Assessment and Placement
• COUNM 71600 Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
• COCO 71500 Family Systems And Counseling Issues
• COUNM 71700 Psychopathology: Diagnosis and Treatment
• COUNM 72000 Program Development & Evaluation
• COUNR 72000 Medical Aspects of Disability
• COUNR 72100 Intev. Children/ Adolescence

Transfer of Credit Not Approved

Transfer of Credit is never approved for the following courses:

• COCO 70100 Counseling Skills and Interviewing Techniques (KC)
• COCO 70600 Group Counseling (KC)
• COCO 70700 Multicultural Aspects of Counseling
• COUNM 71800 Practicum in Mental Health Counseling (KC)
• COUNM 71900 Advanced Counseling Skills and Contemporary Issues
• COUNM 72500 Internship in Mental Health Counseling 1 (KC)
• COUNM 72600 Internship in Mental Health Counseling 2 (KC)

Clinical Experiences

Students in the Mental Health Counseling program are required to complete two fieldwork experiences during their academic program: practicum and internship.

Fieldwork Manual

The Mental Health Counseling Fieldwork Manual is available for students.

Practicum

Practicum is a one-semester placement, which may be completed in the fall or spring semester. Practicum requires students to be in the field a minimum of 100 hours per semester (approximately one full day each week). There are two corresponding courses required to register for during the practicum semester.

Internship

Upon successful completion of practicum, students are eligible to start internship, their second fieldwork experience during their academic program. Internship is a two-consecutive semester placement, which starts in the fall semester and is completed in the spring semester. Internship requires students to be in the field a minimum of 300 hours per semester (approximately three full days each week). There is one corresponding course required to register for during each internship semester.

Application and Placement

Registration permission is required to register for Practicum and Internship courses. Counseling students are responsible for identifying their placement in collaboration with the fieldwork coordinator. Once placement has been approved, registration permission will be granted.

For the Practicum

Students are required to attend one fieldwork orientation session prior to applying for practicum. Of the two sessions scheduled each semester, students may choose one to attend. At this orientation, students will learn about the fieldwork search process and application process. Students are encouraged to apply from the list of pre-approved fieldwork sites, however are allowed to choose a new site to complete fieldwork, pending all requirements may be met at that new site. The Fieldwork Coordinator must vet all new sites for final approval.

For the Internship

Students must apply for internship submitting a complete internship application by the first Thursday in May, the semester prior to starting.

Certification and Licensure

This program leads to eligibility for the Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential in New York State. Professional licensure is required to practice mental health counseling.

Graduation

Graduation is the official completion of your program and conferral of an academic degree. In order to graduate, students must apply for graduation using CUNYFirst the semester before the semester of their planned graduation and complete any outstanding requirements by the stated deadlines.