Program Overview

Introduction to the Masters Program in Mental Health Counseling

The Masters Program in Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit master's degree program designed to prepare students for work in mental health settings, including mental health centers, hospitals, college counseling centers, and residential treatment centers. This program is licensure-qualifying in New York and aims to train master's-level practitioners in assessment and intervention in mental health care settings.

Program Objectives and Outcomes

The primary objective of this program is to provide students with the necessary skills and knowledge to work as independent mental health care professionals. Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to provide direct clinical and counseling services to patients in a wide range of medical, research, mental health, and independent practice settings.

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission into the master's degree program in Mental Health Counseling must have earned a baccalaureate degree. Consideration will be given for applicable experiences. Students who possess a bachelor's degree but do not have a relevant background may be required to take a prerequisite course for admission. Additional requirements include:

• A Narrative Statement of Interest in the Mental Health Counseling program
• Two letters of reference
• An interview with the Director is recommended prior to admission

Program Structure and Requirements

The Mental Health Program consists of 60 credits and requires:

• A major paper
• A one-semester practicum
• A two-semester internship
• Periodic consultation with the academic advisor to ensure proper sequence and progress in developing competencies as a counselor
• Program participants are responsible for giving evidence of having acquired the required competencies and met standards through periodic performance reviews, completion of course and program requirements, and for maintaining a B or better average in coursework

Mental Health Counseling Licensure

Manhattan College's program meets the State of New York educational requirements, and graduates are license-eligible. Upon graduation, students will need to meet the additional requirements for licensure by passing an exam and acquiring post-graduate clinical experience and supervision. The requirements in other states may vary, so students should discuss licensure in other states with their academic advisor.

Degree Program Details

Students preparing for mental health counseling must earn:

• 57 credits of core courses
• 3 credits of an elective course Students should consult with the academic advisor to select an elective course most suitable for their goals. A research paper is also required.

Core Courses

The following courses are part of the program:

• EDUG 713: Methods of Educational and Psychological Research (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 721: Introduction to Counseling Practices and Theories (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 722: Techniques in Counseling the Individual
• EDUG 714: Psychology of Career Counseling (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 723: Life Span Development (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 725: Practicum in Groups
• EDUG 727: Organization and Administration of the Guidance Program
• EDUG 732: Practicum in Counseling
• EDUG 780: Psychopathology (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 807: Measurement and Assessment for Counselors
• EDUG 821: Internship in School Counseling I
• EDUG 827: Internship in School Counseling II
• EDUG 851: Data Analysis and Report Writing in Educational & Psychological Research (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 853: Counseling the College Applicant (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 859: Approaches to Multicultural Counseling: Theory and Practice (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 817: Cross Cultural Counseling
• EDUG 867: Professional Orientation to Counseling: Standards, Law, Ethics, and Evaluation
• EDUG 866: Practicum in Leadership, Supervision and Consultation in Counseling
• EDUG 850: Advanced Practicum for Counselors in Group Procedures

Recommended Electives

• EDUG 802: Foundations, Theory and Practice of Bilingual General and Special Education (Online Synchronous)
• EDUG 913: Hip-Hop & School Counseling Praxis

Total Credits

The total credits required for the program is 60.