M.S. in Mental Health Counseling
Mental Health Counseling is a distinct profession with national standards for education, training and clinical practice. Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat mental and emotional disorders and to promote positive overall mental health. They are trained in a variety of therapeutic techniques used to address issues such as depression, anxiety, addiction and substance abuse, suicidal impulses, stress, trauma, low self-esteem, and grief. They also help with job and career concerns, educational decisions, mental and emotional health issues, and relationship problems. In addition, mental health counselors are involved in community outreach, advocacy, and mediation activities. The field of counseling includes knowledge and awareness of social justice, trauma, racial trauma, and inclusivity.
Mental health counselors work in community health and social service organizations, day treatment programs, outpatient mental health clinics, hospitals, or private and group practices. Mental health counselors are highly skilled professionals who provide a full range of services including assessment and diagnosis, psychotherapy, treatment planning and utilization review, brief and solution-focused therapy, alcoholism and substance abuse treatment, psycho-educational and prevention programs, and crisis management.
The 60-credit M.S. in Mental Health Counseling program lays the groundwork for aspiring counselors to begin work in a highly competitive and rewarding field helping clients. This graduate program provides students with core knowledge to be effective helpers in a variety of clinical settings. This graduate program is registered with New York State Education Department (NYSED) and satisfies the educational requirements for the New York State Mental Health Counselors License. Upon completion of educational requirements, 3,000 hours of supervised experience in the practice of mental health counseling and a passing grade on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination are required for licensure.
Admissions Requirements
We encourage applications from those employed in counseling or a related field who are ready to advance their skills and careers. The program is challenging, as is the process of gaining licensure, so expect to encounter numerous growth and learning opportunities! We are particularly interested in students who are interested in working with populations that have long been underserved and underrepresented.
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited academic institution
- A minimum undergraduate and graduate grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- A minimum of 12 semester hours of psychology courses or related social science courses AND a course in statistics
- A passing score on the GRE may be submitted in conjunction with an in-depth review of other supporting documents/qualifications for consideration in cases where a candidate is missing some of the academic requirements. Admission to the program is highly competitive and on a selective basis. Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
Ready to Apply?
Every applicant must fill out the online application which includes:
- Official undergraduate and graduate transcripts mailed directly from the issuing institutions
- Two recommendation letters from employers and/or professors
- Personal statement of goals and objectives, including your reasons for choosing this field and Long Island University
- Proof of immunization
Licensure & Certification
The School of Health Professions at Long Island University’s (Brooklyn Campus) Mental Health Counseling program (MHC) is registered with the New York State Education Department (NYSED), meeting the educational standards required for licensure in the state of New York. The curriculum is aligned with the 2016 programmatic goals and learning standards set by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).
License:
LIU-Brooklyn MHC graduates are eligible to apply for licensure in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Northern Mariana Islands, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. All states except New York will likely request a syllabus review of the MHC curriculum. Licensure requirements for clinical mental health counselors, titles (e.g. LMHC, LPC, LPCC, LCPC, LCMHC, LMHP), and application procedures vary by state. Please visit the American Counseling Association’s (ACA) list of state licensure requirements. The ACA list is updated regularly; however, states’ licensure requirements evolve, and it is recommended graduates always access the specific state licensure board website. States may require success on either the NCE or the NCMHCE or both. Please note that NYS requires MHC applicants to pass the NCMHCE.
Please visit the NBCC State Certification Exam Lookup website for a directory of all states’ licensure boards for more information about which exam is required.
Students are encouraged to visit NYSED website for an outline of the licensure requirements for the State of New York.
Certification:
MHC graduates are eligible to apply to sit for board certification through the National Board for Certified Counselors (NBCC). Exams include both the National Certification Exam (NCE) and the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Exam (NCMHCE) leading to certification as a National Certified Counselor (NCC) and a Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor (CCMHC) respectively. Please visit the NBCC Board Certification website for complete and up-to-date information about the NCE and the NCMHCE.
FAQs
What can I do with a Master’s in 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 (after completing practice hours and passing the NCMHCE). 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.
What is the salary for LMHCs in NY?
In NYC, the average salary for a licensed mental health counselor range between $70,000- $120,000. This salary varies based on role and experience such as, direct care counselors, and administrative roles. (Salary.com).
What is the program length?
The program is a 60-credit master’s and can be completed in 2 or 3 years.
What is the fieldwork component of the MHC program?
Students will complete 700-hours of clinical fieldwork experiences; 100-hours in a practicum placement (CSP 661M) and 600-hours of Internship (CSP 666M and CSP 665M). Within their community-based placement, students will receive practical opportunities as well as weekly 1-hour supervision from a mental health professional. These off-site experiences are further supported by weekly 1.5-hour supervision from program faculty and coursework.
All internship sites must be approved by the program chair prior to the start of a student’s formal internship experience. Long Island University will assist students in finding placements but is not responsible for securing a placement for any individual student.
Who is eligible for their internship and when?
Eligibility for fieldwork placement is determined by student readiness as measured by courses completed, grades, and approval by the department Chair/Program Director. Formal fieldwork procedures are outlined in the student Practicum and Internship Handbooks.
All practicum and internship sites must be approved prior to the start of a student’s formal practicum and/or internship experience. Students are not permitted to accrue internship or practicum hours unless they are concurrently enrolled in the appropriate supervised course at LIU-Brooklyn and have secured documented site approval from program administration.
Please note that CSP 712 Psychopathology and Psychopharmacology is a pre-requisite to practicum (CSP 661M) and internship courses (CSP 666M and CSP 665M).
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