The world of mental health counseling is evolving, and New York is at the forefront with its online accredited mental health counseling programs. These programs offer a flexible and accessible pathway for those aspiring to become licensed mental health counselors.
Online mental health counseling programs in New York are tailored to meet the needs of diverse learners, including working professionals. These programs blend the convenience of online learning with the rigor and quality of traditional on-campus education. These programs also ensure that graduates are well-prepared for licensure and the challenges of the mental health field.
This article explores some of the popular online mental health counseling programs available in New York, highlighting their unique features and benefits.
Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in New York
Listed below are some of the popular schools offering online mental health counseling programs in New York:
- New York University – Steinhardt
- New York Institute of Technology
- St. Bonaventure University
- Capella University
- Northwestern University
- Southern New Hampshire University
New York University – Steinhardt
Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling
NYU Steinhardt offers a 60-credit online Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness. This program is designed to prepare you for licensure and employment as a mental health counselor in various settings, such as addiction treatment centers, community agencies, and private practice.
The university holds regional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education, and the program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Board (MPCAC).
This program is designed to support your career advancement as a therapist by enabling you to assist clients of various ages and backgrounds in creating healthy, meaningful lives. The program is taught by faculty members who possess professional licenses, have been part of editorial review boards, and have been recognized with various awards and honors.
The program includes:
- 60 graduate-level credit hours of live, online classes.
- Interactive simulations in a counseling lab.
- A 100-hour practicum in a mental health setting, with 40 hours of direct practice.
- A 600-hour internship at an NYU-approved clinical location, with 240 hours of direct practice.
- A three-day on-campus immersion in New York City.
The program also offers you the flexibility to tailor your learning experience with elective courses that match your interests. Elective topics cover a range of subjects, including substance-related disorders, marriage and family counseling, adolescent sexual decision-making, responses to trauma, and issues facing immigrant-origin youth.
Core courses of the program include:
- Human Growth and Development
- Individual Counseling: Theory and Process
- Foundations of Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
- Abnormal Psychology
- Cross-Cultural Counseling
- Research and Evaluation in Behavioral Sciences
- Group Dynamics: Theory and Process
- Dynamics of Vocational Development
The learning experience includes weekly live courses delivered through streamed video and audio. Classes are kept small to foster intimate learning environments, including breakout sessions and direct interactions.
The curriculum is optimized for online learning, ensuring effective collaboration with professors and peers nationwide. As a student in this program, you will engage in various activities to enhance your learning experience, such as:
- Examining content through a multicultural perspective.
- Receiving personalized attention during faculty office hours.
- Accessing asynchronous content anytime.
- Utilizing a mobile app for coursework, class materials, and a dashboard for easy access to assignments and grades.
This program aims to prepare you for a career as a mental health counselor, where you can be a leader and advocate for social justice in diverse communities. Students from states outside New York may also be eligible for licensure, though requirements vary by state.
Upon graduation, you will be equipped to:
- Assess individuals and groups with consideration to various cultural factors.
- Apply diverse counseling skills.
- Build effective counseling relationships.
- Work in settings such as outpatient care centers, family service centers, hospitals, community agencies, and private practices.
Graduates from NYU Steinhardt have established successful careers in public and private sectors, including mental health programs, university counseling centers, and substance abuse treatment centers.
NYU accepts students on a rolling basis. To apply, you must hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university. Specifically for the online program, you need an undergraduate degree with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA, based on a 4.0 scale. Other admission requirements include:
- Statement of Purpose
- Current Resume/CV
- Transcripts
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- A $75 Non-Refundable Application Fee
New York Institute of Technology
Online Master of Science – Mental Health Counseling
You have the opportunity to enroll in the fully online 60-credit M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program at the New York Institute of Technology. This program offers high-quality training that aligns with the latest best practices, preparing you to effectively address the challenges and needs of a 21st-century mental health population.
In the program, you will receive the necessary training to offer both individual and group counseling to a diverse client base, equipping you to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor.
The program’s distinctive cross-disciplinary approach includes a comprehensive 700-hour practicum and internship experience. You will also have the chance to collaborate with expert faculty on research projects that have significant implications for the profession and society.
Core courses of the program include:
- Theories of Psychopathology
- Clinical Assessment
- Foundations of Counseling
- Group Counseling and Psychotherapy
- Career Counseling and Lifestyles Development
- Marital and Family Counseling
- Advanced Counseling and Psychotherapy Techniques
- Legal, Ethical, and Professional Issues in Counseling
As a student, you will become a skilled clinician committed to social justice, cultural sensitivity, and technological awareness, adapting to the evolving landscape of human services.
In this program, you will learn to:
- Initiate, conduct, and evaluate clinical assessments, research, and outreach interventions.
- Diagnose and formulate a treatment plan based on a client’s diagnosis and theoretical models.
- Employ effective counseling techniques for client engagement, rapport building, and establishing a therapeutic alliance.
- Address the effects of crisis and trauma on individuals with mental health diagnoses.
- Understand cultural factors relevant to mental health counseling to serve a diverse population.
- Advocate for clients requiring specialized mental health assistance and support, applying a social justice agenda to address policy and practice inequities.
The 100-hour field practicum gives you direct experience in a setting that aligns with your specialization. You will work with clients under supervision in individual and group settings, applying your knowledge of counseling theories and techniques.
The mental health internship involves obtaining a minimum of 300 hours in the first and second semester (120 direct and 180 indirect hours). Along with these hours, you are required to participate in a weekly structured seminar via Zoom led by your NYIT internship supervisor, receive weekly on-site supervision, and complete course assignments.
This internship aims to provide you with direct experience in mental health/psychiatric agency settings, where you will conduct individual and group counseling to develop professional competencies. You will also learn about the policies, procedures, and culture of your future profession.
Upon completing the master’s in mental health counseling program, you will be ready to sit for the New York State Mental Health Licensing Examination and practice under the supervision of a licensed professional.
To apply for this online Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program, you must:
- Submit a graduate application and a personal essay explaining your reasons for choosing New York Tech and the mental health counseling profession, along with your career goals post-graduation.
- Have a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Applicants with a GPA between 2.85 and 2.99 may be conditionally accepted and must achieve a 3.0 GPA in their first 12 credits.
- Provide three letters of reference from employers and professors.
- Participate in a face-to-face interview with the program chairperson.
Transfer credits from accredited colleges and universities are accepted, up to a maximum of six graduate semester hours, provided the courses are relevant, grades are B or better, an official transcript is submitted, and the courses have not been used for another degree.
Research assistantships are available for qualified students, although admission to the graduate program does not automatically include financial assistance.
St. Bonaventure University
Online Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
In the 60-credit Online Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at St. Bonaventure University, you will be trained as a highly skilled counselor dedicated to serving individuals and their communities.
During the program, you will engage in coursework and clinical practice, learning how to support individuals, families, and groups in overcoming challenges and achieving their goals. The program prepares you for diverse environments and changes lives.
The program is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) and offers a combination of quality and affordability. It includes a focused curriculum, support from faculty and advisers, and internship placement. Graduates have an excellent pass rate on the licensed professional counselor exam.
Key features of the program are:
- It prepares you for the licensed professional counselor exam.
- It is ideal for current counselors seeking licensure and newcomers to the field.
- You will practice your learning in the community through a practicum and two internships.
- There is an option to add an Advanced Certificate in School Counseling after your master’s.
- You will become a community leader, advocate, and practitioner who models compassionate service and fosters societal well-being.
During the program, you will develop skills in:
- Individual and Group Counseling Competencies: You will learn various approaches for prevention, intervention, crisis intervention, and use data for program efficacy.
- Cultural Competencies: You will explore diversity, equity, advocacy, opportunity, and understand different cultures.
- Communication: You will master listening, socialization, boundary setting, and empathy.
- Critical Thinking: You will evaluate research to make assessments, diagnoses, and treatments.
- The Business of Counseling: You will examine the counseling profession, including roles, ethical and legal responsibilities.
The program provides internship placement services. A coordinator will help you find local sites for a 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships, offering valuable experience.
Upon completing the program, you will:
- Understand professional functioning aspects, including history, roles, responsibilities, professional credentialing, advocacy, and ethical standards.
- Demonstrate counseling skills like individual and group counseling, prevention and intervention approaches, and crisis intervention.
- Show multicultural competencies related to diversity, equity, advocacy, and opportunity.
- Display skills related to factors affecting individuals and groups’ personal, social, and intellectual functioning.
- Critically evaluate counseling practice research, develop measurable outcomes, and use data to enhance program efficacy.
- Implement strategies to promote effective teamwork within institutions and communities.
To graduate, you must complete all 60 credits, pass your clinical experience and comp exam, and maintain a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
Admission requirements for the program include:
- A bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a minimum 3.0 GPA.
- Completion of an online application.
- Submission of a personal statement.
- Two professional or academic letters of recommendation.
- Participation in an interview.
Since 2013, St. Bonaventure has provided graduate degree programs tailored for online learners. As an online student at St. Bonaventure, you can:
- Customize your degree based on your educational background, work experience, and goals.
- Receive individualized attention from faculty members.
- Contact faculty through email, video, and telephone during your courses.
- Master new skills and concepts through various learning methods, including readings, projects, and videos.
- Access virtual professional development opportunities from the career center to support your future career success.
Is NYU Steinhardt Online?
No, NYU Steinhardt is not a fully online university, however, it offers various online programs. Some of the popular online graduate programs include:
- Online Master’s in Counseling
- Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling
- Online Master of Science in Communicative Sciences and Disorders
- Online Doctorate in Education (EdD) in Leadership and Innovation
Are Online Mental Health Counseling Degrees Respected?
The respect and acceptance of online mental health counseling degrees largely depend on several factors, including the reputation of the institution offering the program, the accreditation of the program, and the perception of online education in the field of counseling.
- Institutional Reputation: Mental health counseling degrees from well-regarded universities with established online programs tend to be more respected. These institutions often mirror the curriculum of their on-campus programs in their online offerings, ensuring a high quality of education.
- Accreditation: Accreditation plays a crucial role in the respectability of any degree, including online counseling degrees. Mental health counseling programs accredited by recognized bodies, like the CACREP, meet rigorous educational standards and are generally held in high esteem. Employers and licensing boards often look for graduates from accredited programs.
- Changing Perceptions of Online Education: The perception of online education has been evolving, especially in recent years. With advancements in technology and the necessity for remote learning options, online degrees are becoming more mainstream and accepted. This shift in perception is enhancing the respectability of online degrees, including those in counseling.
- Licensure and Employment Opportunities: The ultimate test of an online mental health counseling degree’s respectability often lies in whether graduates can obtain licensure and employment in their field. Online programs that prepare students for licensure and have strong job placement rates are typically well-respected.
- Clinical Training Components: For mental health counseling degrees, the clinical training component is crucial. Online programs that offer comprehensive fieldwork and practicum opportunities, allowing students to gain hands-on experience, are more likely to be respected.
- Alumni Success: The success of alumni, such as their impact in the field, licensure rates, and career advancement, also contributes to the respectability of a program.
In short, while there may still be some variation in how different employers and professionals view online degrees, the overall trend shows increasing acceptance and respect for online mental health counseling degrees, especially those from accredited, reputable institutions.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Mental Health Counselor in New York?
To become a licensed mental health counselor in New York, the entire process from the start of the master’s program to obtaining licensure typically takes around 4 to 6 years.
However, the time required to become a mental health counselor in New York can vary based on several factors, including the duration of the educational program, the time taken to accumulate the required supervised experience, and the licensing process. Here’s a rough timeline:
- Education: Completing a master’s in mental health counseling typically takes about 2-3 years. This degree must include at least 60 semester hours and a supervised internship or practicum of at least 600 clock hours.
- Supervised Experience: After obtaining your degree, you need to complete at least 3,000 hours of supervised experience. Assuming a full-time work schedule (40 hours per week), this could take about 1.5 years. However, this duration can vary depending on the number of hours worked per week.
- Licensure Examination: Preparing for and passing the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE) can vary in duration depending on when you take the exam and whether additional study time is needed.
- Licensure Process: The time for processing your licensure application can vary. This includes gathering and submitting all required documentation, which can take additional months.
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