Master's in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

 

Mental health counselors provide sensitive and structured support to individuals, families, and groups to help them work through mental health challenges, improve wellness, and move towards career goals. A clinical mental health counseling degree will get you started in the field.

Our 60-credit CACREP-accredited MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program lays the groundwork for aspiring counselors to begin work in a highly competitive and rewarding field helping clients. In this graduate program, you'll learn the counseling theory and clinical training you need to become a licensed professional counselor. Taught by clinically active faculty, you'll benefit from their experience and expertise.

Licensure and Certification

The CACREP-accredited CMHC program is registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED), meeting the educational standards required for licensure in New York State. The coursework in our program includes the 350-hour educational requirements needed to apply for the CASAC-Trainee certificate. Graduates of the program are also eligible to apply to become a Nationally Certified Counselor (NCC's) upon graduation and the passing of either the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) or the National Counselor Examination (NCE). Further information about the NCC credential as well as licensure information for other States may be found on the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC) website.

What Can I Do with a Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling?

After becoming a licensed mental health counselor, you can work in hospitals, schools, mental health centers, government agencies, and even open your own private practice. In NYC, the average salary for a licensed mental health counselor is around $80,000 (Salary.com).

Other career options include specializing in substance misuse, crisis, group, career, and couples and family counseling. Licensed Mental Health Counselors work with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds, experiences and age groups.

If you decide to work outside of New York, you’ll also be eligible to apply for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico.

Program Length

The 60 credit master’s can be completed in two or three years.

Fieldwork to Full-Time Job

We have a designated fieldwork coordinator, great affiliations, and many of our students are hired after graduation by their fieldwork site.

Manhattan & Brooklyn Classes

Our primary campus is in Manhattan, with select classes in Brooklyn. At these two NYC locations we offer culturally sensitive classroom settings for diverse students.

Scholarships

Looking at a combination of merit and need, we offer a limited number of scholarships to qualifying students.

Mental Health Counseling Vs. Social Work

Mental Health Counselors and Social Workers help people deal and cope with problems in their lives. So which degree is right for you? Mental Health Counselors are focused on counseling individuals and families, address a specific problem, and offer crisis management techniques. A social work degree addresses a wider range of services, working with organizations and communities, and includes advocacy, policy and access to social services. If you know you're interested solely in counseling, a mental health counseling degree is the most direct path.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Admissions

Our Mental Health Counseling program offers rolling admissions with a fall admit; we accept students until the class is full. We encourage applicants who are currently employed or have some clinical experience in counseling or a related field. While it is encouraged, prior clinical experience is not required for acceptance.

To apply, you’ll need a minimum of 12 semester hours of psychology courses or related social science courses AND a course in statistics, as well as a 3.0 GPA. The GRE is not required, but can be submitted as supporting material to your application. Visit our admissions page for more information or to apply.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program of Touro University is to guide our students to develop into ethically and multi-culturally competent clinical mental health counselors, who strive to provide individual, group, family and marriage counseling services that empower change in client mental health, wellness, education, and career goals. The program integrates theoretical knowledge with practical counseling experiences that promote the development of the professional counseling skills needed to practice successfully in the field. Graduates of the program fully identify with the clinical mental health counseling profession and are well-prepared to function as mental health professionals in multiple roles including treatment, assessment, advocacy, and consultative modalities with diverse populations and across a wide range of mental health concerns. The goal is to strive for excellence in faculty and graduates who contribute to the counseling profession and the promotion of wellness and mental health across diverse communities.

Accreditation

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs
500 Montgomery Street, Suite 350
Alexandria, VA 22314
P: (703) 535-5990
https://www.cacrep.org