Master of Science (MS) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program

1 in 5  U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year.
1 in 6  U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.*

In 2022, among the 59.3 million adults with any mental illness, only about ½ received mental health treatment in the past year.**

If you’re passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives, now is the time to step forward. The need for skilled, compassionate mental health counselors has never been greater—and with the right training, you can be part of the solution, helping individuals and communities thrive.

Key Benefits of the ��Ĵ�ý CMHC Program:

Meets the educational requirements for licensure in NYS as a mental health counselor
Flexible weekend classes (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) designed for working professionals
Small class sizes led by experienced faculty for personalized learning
Hands-on field experience: 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships in diverse clinical settings, including placements through our program’s partnership with the New York State Office of Mental Health Graduate Schools Project for Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health
Dedicated field placement coordinator to match you with the right internship—no searching on your own
Evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive curriculum
Robust network of agencies for yearlong field placements in mental health and substance use/abuse
Focus on behavioral health and integrated care to prepare you for today’s counseling challenges
No GRE or Prerequisites: Begin your path to a meaningful career without unnecessary barriers to entry.
Licensure Preparation: Benefit from a curriculum that embeds ongoing preparation for licensure examination throughout your training.

Together, we can bridge the gap in mental health care for those who need it most.

Mission Statement

The mission of ��Ĵ�ý’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is to prepare culturally responsive and compassionate professional counselors committed to ethical practice. Through a rigorous curriculum, students develop the knowledge, awareness, and skills necessary to serve as reflective practitioners, leaders, and advocates. Graduates are prepared to provide client-centered, developmentally appropriate services—including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and evidence-informed interventions—to diverse individuals, couples, families, and groups across the lifespan in a variety of clinical mental health settings.

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ACCREDITATION

National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE), administered by the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC).

��Ĵ�ý Meets the educational requirements for licensure or certification in these States	��Ĵ�ý Does Not Meet the educational requirements for licensure or certification in these States
NY	AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, LA, ME, MD, MA, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NJ, NM, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY

Admissions Requirements
- Completion of application for graduate study at ��Ĵ�ý
- Evidence of the possession of a U.S. baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution through submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary education.
- Transcripts showing a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), overall and in the undergraduate major, and/or evidence of recent academic achievement.
- At least two letters of recommendation, one from a supervisor or professor which addresses the applicant’s character and potential to be a counselor, and one which addresses the applicant’s scholarship and is written by a professional qualified to make that assessment.
- A statement of purpose in essay format discussing the applicant’s objectives and motivation for pursuing a graduate degree in mental health counseling, an understanding of mental health counseling as a career, and a discussion of how this degree will meet the applicant’s professional development plans.
- A resumé demonstrating work and/or volunteer experience in the human services field
- Interview with program director and/or program faculty
Program Objectives
The CMHC program has three overarching program objectives:
1. Students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and ability to practice as an ethical counselor in a multicultural and pluralistic society.
2. Students will develop knowledge and skills to use data and research to inform and evaluate counseling practice.
3. Students will demonstrate a professional counselor identity consistent with the principles of social justice/advocacy, wellness/prevention and ethical practice.

Course Sequence

First Year: First Semester
Course		Credits
CSL 500	Counseling Theory & Practice	3
CSL 501	Professional Orientation & Ethical Practice in Counseling	3
CSL 502	Mental Health Systems of Care	3
CSL 503	Lifespan Development	3
		12
First Year: Second Semester
CSL 504	Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling Practice	3
CSL 505	Research & Program Evaluation	3
CSL 508	Psychopathology & Diagnosis	3
CSL 510	Counseling Relationships & Skills	3
		12
First Year: Third Semester
CSL 506	Assessment in Counseling	3
CSL 507	Career Development & Counseling	3
CSL 512	Group Counseling	3
		9
Second Year: First Semester
CSL 582	Counseling Children & Adolescents	3
CSL 583	Mental Health Counseling Interventions	3
CSL 592	Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling	3
		9
Second Year: Second Semester
CSL 509	Differential Diagnosis & Treatment Planning	3
CSL 578	Substance Use & Behavioral Addictions Counseling	3
CSL 593	Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship 1	3
		9
Second Year: Third Semester
CSL 581	Counseling Couples & Families	3
CSL 594	Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship 2	3
CSL 580	Special Topics in Counseling (elective)	3
		9

Tuition & Fees

Tuition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,200 / credit

Technology & Services Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,100 / semester

	Credits	Tuition	Fees	Books & Supplies (may vary)
First Year
First Term	12	$14,400.00	$1,100.00	$1,000.00
Second Term	12	$14,400.00	$1,100.00	$500.00
Third Term	9	$10,800.00	$1,100.00	$500.00
				$44,900.00	$44,900.00
Second Year
First Term	9	$10,800.00	$1,100.00	$500.00
Second Term	9	$10,800.00	$1,100.00	$200.00
Third Term	9	$10,800.00	$1,100.00	$200.00
				$36,600.00	$36,600.00
					$81,500.00

Scholarships & Loan Forgiveness
1. Scholarships for graduate students in Counseling information can be found here.
2. The forgives the remaining balance on after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an , and while working full-time for an .
3. The in NYS provides up to $30,000 for mental health professionals to repay qualified education loans and student debt.

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