Study Master’s in Counseling in New York

The state of New York offers a broad range of colleges and universities to choose from for your graduate education. You can enroll in a small, private school in New York City, a large public university in Upstate New York, or many different types and sizes of campuses in between.

One of the distinct advantages of getting a graduate degree in New York is that so many institutions have graduate schools. And as a prospective counseling graduate student, you will be pleased to learn that New York has a large selection of programs from which to choose.

Better still, New York has many schools with online counseling programs that give you the flexibility of completing your coursework online while enabling you to complete your fieldwork at a location that’s convenient to you. There are many other hybrid programs that have on-campus classes at night, on the weekends, or during short intensive residencies that last a few days.

With all of these choices and possibilities, it’s understandable that you might not know where to begin your search for an online graduate counseling program in New York. This guide offers some of the popular possibilities New York has to offer.

Best Accredited Online Master's in Counseling Programs in New York

Online Master’s in Counseling in New York

Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online master’s in counseling in New York:

  • NYU Steinhardt
  • New York Institute of Technology
  • Manhattan College
  • New York University
  • St. Bonaventure University
  • Touro University
  • Southern New Hampshire University
  • Capella University
  • Arizona State University Online

New York Institute of Technology

Online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

The online MS in Mental Health Counseling program at the New York Institute of Technology is a licensure track program that readies you for a career as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York. You can complete the coursework online, or, if you choose, you can take classes in New York City or at the university’s Long Island campus.

This 60-credit program takes about 2.5 years to complete as a full-time student taking courses year-round. The program’s first year includes studies of foundational counseling concepts like Theories of Counseling and Psychotherapy, Human Development, and Group Counseling and Psychotherapy. The program’s second year branches out into other areas of study, including the following:

  • Trauma and Crisis Counseling: Intervention, Practice, and Theory
  • Multicultural Issues in Counseling and Human Relations
  • Marital and Family Counseling
  • Research, Assessment, and Technology
  • Counseling and Psychopharmacology

This program also requires a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship experience, which takes place over two semesters during the final portion of the curriculum. The internship not only builds on the knowledge and skills you have learned in your coursework, but it also gives you the opportunity to apply those skills in a real-world environment.

Each internship component is 300 hours, of which 120 must be in direct contact with clients. These hours might include individual counseling or group counseling. You will also participate in weekly supervision at your internship site with your assigned supervisor as well as weekly video conference seminars with your internship coordinator.

As a result of this and other work in the program, you will graduate with an extensive counseling toolkit. You will understand how to evaluate clients, conduct psychological assessments, and develop appropriate interventions. You will also be well-versed in counseling theories and techniques. Graduates of this program also have a strong understanding of cultural factors and how our diverse experiences greatly influence our perception of the world around us.

To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution and have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (though applicants with a 2.85-2.99 GPA might be conditionally accepted). You must also provide official transcripts from every college and university you have attended, as well as three letters of reference. A face-to-face interview with the counseling program chairperson is also required.

Manhattan College

Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling

The MS in Mental Health Counseling from Manhattan College requires at least 60 credits to graduate. You will earn these credits in a hybrid format, with some courses occurring online and others occurring on campus in Manhattan. The in-person courses meet four evenings a week during the fall and spring semesters, while summer classes convene twice a week to give you more scheduling flexibility.

This program can be completed in as little as two years of full-time study (e.g., taking courses in the fall, spring, and summer of both years). However, it’s more common for students to take 2.5-3 years to finish this degree. You have a maximum of five years to finish the degree requirements from the date of enrollment.

As a graduate of this program, you are eligible for New York State Licensure as a mental health counselor. You will take a broad spectrum of courses, each of which is taught by a licensed psychologist or mental health counselor with real-world experience working in this field. Among the 51 credits of coursework include the following:

  • Marriage and Family Counseling
  • Introduction to Counseling Practices and Theories
  • Techniques in Counseling the Individual
  • Group Counseling
  • Foundations of Mental Health Counseling

Other topics you will study include leadership and supervision in counseling, data analysis and report writing, and approaches to multicultural counseling.

Furthermore, you must complete a three-credit practicum in counseling, the purpose of which is to introduce you to a real-life counseling environment. You will practice skills like individual counseling, group counseling, and case conceptualization and do so while getting valuable supervision from a qualified counselor. The practicum requires you to have at least 100 clock hours of experience.

After the practicum, you will complete a year-long mental health counseling internship that occurs in two three-credit experiences. Both components of the internship must be completed at an approved agency, hospital, or college counseling center. Likewise, you must have a qualified and approved supervisor.

To apply, you must have a bachelor’s degree with a GPA of 3.0 or higher from an accredited institution to apply. You must also submit the following materials with your application:

  • Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
  • A resume
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A statement of interest

New York University

Online Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness

By pursuing the MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness at NYU, you will get a high-quality degree from a well-respected school that prepares you for a career as a licensed mental health counselor. The program is generalist in nature, meaning you will graduate with a large set of skills you can use to provide counseling services to clients of varying ages, backgrounds, and mental health needs.

This 60-credit program is a rigorous study of essential counseling theories and techniques. You will take these courses online in a live, interactive environment where you will meet with your classmates and professors, complete assignments, and work with your peers on projects. Some of the topics you’ll study include the following:

  • Multicultural counseling
  • Group counseling
  • Counseling theory and techniques
  • Ethics for professional counselors
  • Program evaluation

You will also work with a classmate in a virtual setting to practice essential counseling skills, like active listening, speaking with empathy, and providing structured guidance for your client. This virtual training is done prior to the 100-hour practicum experience that you are required to complete in an approved mental health setting near where you live.

The practicum, in turn, prepares you for a more intense 600-hour internship experience. The internship also takes place in an approved mental health setting, but you will have greater responsibilities than during your practicum experience. This build-up of experience over the course of the program gives you ample opportunities to put what you’ve learned into practice. It also gives you much-needed feedback during supervision.

In addition to these activities, you can visit NYU’s campus for an intensive experience of networking and training. This campus visit requires three to four days of work. Though the timetable is short, the learning experiences are rich with information, skills practice, and feedback that will help you become an even better-equipped counselor.

Admission to the program is considered on a rolling basis, so you can apply at any time, provided you have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally-accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA or higher. You must submit the following with your application:

  • Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • A resume or curriculum vitae
  • A personal statement
  • Proof of English proficiency if English is not your native language

St. Bonaventure University

Online Master of Science in Education in School Counseling

The MS in School Counseling at St. Bonaventure is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and qualifies you to pursue certification or licensure as a school counselor in New York. Throughout the program, you will gain knowledge, learn skills, and acquire techniques that allow you to provide counseling services to children in elementary, middle, and high schools.

However, the skills you learn can translate into school counseling-related careers outside of typical K-12 settings. For example, you might work in a collegiate setting as a career counselor or you might work for a state agency to help develop school-based counseling programs that address critical issues like school safety.

To gain the necessary knowledge and skills to practice competently, you will take courses like the following:

  • Group Counseling
  • Multicultural Counseling
  • Introduction to Play Therapy
  • Interventions for School Counseling
  • Foundations of School Counseling

As is common for school counseling graduate programs, you must also complete one practicum and two internships. The practicum and internships all take place onsite at an approved school location. During your time there, you will practice essential school counseling skills while being supervised by a licensed or certified school counselor.

Each internship requires 300 hours of clock time, which must include a mix of direct contact with clients as well as weekly supervision. The purpose of supervision is to help you gain insight into your application of the skills you have gained, find areas of improvement, and generate a path for building additional skills that will be helpful to you in your career as a school counselor.

The St. Bonaventure program provides you with an intimate learning experience with small class sizes. This program also has a strong track record of success – nearly three-quarters of students that begin the program graduate, and nearly 90 percent of graduates pass their licensure or certification exam. Additionally, the program has an 86 percent job placement rate.

You can apply to this program online. You must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited college or university and have a GPA of 3.0 or higher to apply. In some instances, students are considered for admission with a 2.75 GPA or higher. When applying, you must provide the following documentation:

  • Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
  • A personal statement
  • Two letters of recommendation

You must also participate in an interview with representatives of the graduate counseling program.

Touro University

Online Master of Science in School Counseling

The online MS in School Counseling at Touro University is a 60-credit program that focuses on two very important roles of the school counselor: providing academic guidance counseling to K-12 students and providing emotional support for children and their families.

You will address these dual responsibilities in a well-designed curriculum that includes individual coursework and supervised field experiences. Some of the courses you will take include the following:

  • Assessment of Individual Differences in General and Special Education: A Socio-Cultural Perspective
  • Child Development
  • Legal and Ethical Issues in School Counseling
  • Counseling Theory and Techniques
  • Topics in Educational Psychology

Other courses explore topics like educational interventions, counseling exceptional children, and classroom management.

Since this is a licensure track program (you will be eligible to apply for certification as a New York School Counselor upon graduation), you must complete a 100-hour supervised practicum during the spring semester of the program’s second year. The final year of the program is dedicated to a 600-hour internship that takes place in a supervised school setting.

These field experiences enable you to apply what you have learned in your courses to real-world school counseling settings. Your skill set will include the ability to lead individual and group counseling, observe students in class, interview techniques, and more. Weekly supervision sessions enable you to hone these skills and incorporate your supervisor’s feedback into the way you practice as a counselor.

To apply, you must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Additionally, Touro University prefers applicants with an undergraduate concentration in education or psychology. You will need to submit the following along with your application:

  • Official transcripts from every college or university you have attended
  • A personal statement
  • Two professional references
  • An immunization record
  • Proof of English proficiency if English is not your native language

Counseling Work Opportunities in New York

To say that the work opportunities in New York are abundant is an understatement. As one of the most populous states in the country, you will likely find more job opportunities in counseling than in the vast majority of states.

For example, given the size and scope of New York City Public Schools, you might pursue a career as a school counselor. With public schools throughout the five boroughs, you can work in schools with highly diverse student bodies where you provide individual counseling, group counseling, and career counseling services.

Another potential career opportunity for you in New York is to work in a community mental health setting. For example, with a master’s degree in mental health counseling, you might specialize in working with victims of domestic abuse. You might provide trauma counseling, serve as an advocate for your client’s mental health needs, and provide psychoeducational training that helps your clients get back on their feet.

It’s also worth considering applying your counseling background and experience in an academic setting as a professor. Though most counseling professors have a Ph.D. and extensive experience in the field, you might find a junior teaching position after getting your master’s degree and a few years of experience.

These are just a few options, of course. With the broad-based nature of training in most graduate counseling programs, you will have the background needed to pursue virtually any master’s-level counseling job in New York.

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