Masters Program in Mental Health Counseling

Applicants must have an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution of higher learning. An undergraduate major in psychology is preferred; however, students with another major who have completed the five (5) required prerequisite courses in psychology will be considered. Specifically, all applicants should have successfully completed Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Psychological Statistics and Experimental Psychology/Psychology Research Methods or their equivalents.

In general, we expect applicants to have an overall GPA of at least 3.2 and a GPA in psychology of at least 3.5. Moreover, we expect students to earn at least a B in their Psychological Statistics and Experimental Psychology classes. At least one letter of reference should be from a past instructor; ideally, a past psychology instructor for a course with clear relevance to counseling.

In addition to the prerequisite coursework, applicants should also have had some type of hands-on experience working with others in a helping capacity, either through paid work or by volunteering. At least one letter of reference should be from someone familiar with the applicant’s work in this capacity (e.g., a trainer or supervisor for one’s relevant applied experience).
 

Complete applications require the following:

• The CCNY Graduate Admissions Application Form.
• Personal Statement. The personal statement should be no more than one single-spaced page/two double-spaced pages describing why one is interested in the field of Mental Health Counseling and any formative educational and/or applied experience to-date.
• Two letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be academic (i.e., from a past instructor). If relevant to one’s experience, then another letter should be from someone who is familiar with the applicant’s training, extant skills, and aptitude for the counseling profession.
• Academic transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended. Unofficial transcripts can be submitted with the initial application, but official transcripts must be submitted if and when one is admitted into the program.
• Current Resume/Curriculum Vitae.
• Test scores such as GRE & TOEFL. The GRE is NOT required for admission, however, if the GRE was taken then test scores should be submitted in the associated section of the application form.
  
  Depending upon the country-of-origin, prospective international students are required to complete the TOEFL to demonstrate proficiency with the English language. See question #26 of the FAQs for the list of countries exempt from this requirement. See also the CCNY Graduate Studies page for International Applicants: International Applicants | The City College of New York (cuny.edu).

The Mental Health Counseling program requires the following minimum TOEFL/IELTS scores: 550 (PBT), 79-80 (IBT) or 6.5.

Application Deadline: February 1^st.
Applications completed by January 1^st receive a decision by March 15th.

To learn more about Graduate Studies at CCNY and apply for admission to the Mental Health Counseling Program, please visit the CCNY Graduate Studies Admissions website.

The Mental Health Program is a full time, 60-credit program designed to be completed in two years. The program admits a small cohort of students (≤ 30) each year, each of whom is assigned a faculty advisor upon enrollment. All students enter the program in the fall semester and take a set sequence of courses in tandem with their fellow cohort members.

The full program curriculum is comprised of 20 courses (see “Curriculum” section for more details): 19 fixed courses and one elective course that can be taken at any point during the two years, including the summer or winter sessions. In addition, the elective course can be taken within the CCNY General MA in Psychology program or at any other CUNY institution.

The 19 fixed courses are offered in a set sequence. Students take five courses during each of Semesters 1 through 3 and four courses during semester 4. (Note: Many students opt to take the elective course during Semester 4, thus making the program an even 5 courses/semester; however, as noted above, the elective can be taken at any point during the program).
 

The 19 required courses are:

• Held on Tuesdays and Thursdays
• Scheduled during one of the following time slots: 10 am-12:30 pm (generally just one day of the week), 2-4:30 pm, and 5-7:30 pm
• Offered exclusively during the fall and spring semesters. (The MHC program does not run courses over the summer or winter sessions)
   

Students must agree to commit to the above-outlined course schedule. We are sorry that we are unable to accept part-time students into the program. Students are required to enroll in at least four classes in each of the four semesters. Enrolling in fewer than four courses would, in most cases, mean extending one’s time in the program by one full year given that each required course is offered only once per year.
 

Year 2 Internship

During Year 2 of the program (i.e., Semesters 3 and 4), in addition to their full-time coursework, students also work approximately 20 hours per week at a program-approved internship site. The internship is where student get applied experience working in the field, including conducting intakes, assessments, and direct counseling under the guidance of their site supervisor. Students are expected to be proactive about applying to potential internship sites beginning in Semester 2. They are supported in this process by the Internship Coordinator.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, then please contact Dr. Tiffany Floyd at  tfloyd@ccny.cuny.edu

The Mental Health Counseling program curriculum offers courses in various aspects of understanding psychological adjustment, including the etiology, development, assessment, diagnosis, and treatment of psychological distress. This includes specialty foci in areas such as substance abuse and trauma and resilience. 

The degree requires 60 credits to be completed in two years, with 4 – 5 classes taken during each of four semesters. As a full-time program, students are required to enroll in at least four classes per semester. Classes are commonly scheduled on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 2:00 - 4:30 PM and 5:00 - 7:30 PM, with one 10 AM - 12:30 PM course on either day.  To be accepted into the program students must agree to commit to this schedule.  We are sorry that we are unable to accept part-time students into the program.
 

The Two-Year, 4 Semester Sequence*

Semester 1 - Fall

• Developmental Psychology (PSY V2000)
• Psychopathology (PSY V5500) 
• Theories and Techniques of Counseling (PSY V6532)
• Professional Orientation and Ethics (PSY V6584)
• Foundations on Mental Health Counseling and Consultation (PSY V6597)

Semester 2 - Spring

• Trauma and Resilience (PSY V6540)   
• Group Dynamics and Group Counseling (PSY V6556) 
• Assessment and Appraisal of Individuals, Families, Couples, and Groups (PSY V6575)
• Clinical Instruction (PSY V6587)
• Drug and Alcohol Abuse: Diagnosis & Treatment (PSY V7000)

Semester 3 - Fall

• Multicultural Issues in Counseling (PSY V6560)
• Research and Program Evaluation (PSY V6563)
• Counseling Adolescents (PSY V6582)
• Practicum in Counseling I (PSY V6589)
• Family and Couples Counseling - I (PSY V6593)

Semester 4 - Spring   

• Psychoeducation and Community-Based Interventions (PSY V6564)
• Practicum in Counseling II  (PSY V6590)
• Lifestyle and Career Development (PSY V6591)
• Family and Couples Counseling - II (PSY V6594)

 Elective (may be taken in any semester or during a summer or winter session)

* Updated 5/03/2021

If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, then please contact Dr. Tiffany Floyd at  tfloyd@ccny.cuny.edu

Q1: What is the Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling Program?
It is a two year, full-time, 60-credit Master of Arts program accredited by the State of New York. The program is offered by the Department of Psychology, which is situated within the Colin Powell School of Civic and Global Leadership at The City College of New York of the City University of New York.

Q2: Will completion of this program allow me to become a licensed professional counselor?
Yes. The CCNY MA in Mental Health Counseling program meets all education requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in the state of New York. Graduates are automatically eligible to take the licensing exam once they fulfill the state post graduate supervised work requirement. For information regarding licensure requirements, see the website for the New York Education Department Office of the Professions.

Q3: Is the program CACREP-accredited?
At this time, the CCNY MA in Mental Health Counseling program is not accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). The program is, however, aware of the value of CACREP-accredited status for programs and students, and is actively working towards becoming accredited.

Q4: What is the deadline for applications?
February 1st is the annual application deadline. Applicants whose applications are completed by January 1st will receive a decision by no later than March 15^th. 

Q5: How do I apply for admission?
To apply, visit the Graduate Studies Admissions page on the College website:
https://www.ccny.cuny.edu/admissions/graduate-studies 

Q6: I’ve submitted my application. What happens next?
All applications are thoroughly reviewed by Mental Health Counseling program faculty. Strong candidates are invited for a one-on-one interview with up to 2 MHC faculty members. Invitations to interview usually begin mid-February, regardless of when an application was received, and continue to as late as early April, depending upon the total number of applications in the admissions cycle. Final decisions are generally rendered by April 15^th, although accepted applicants are generally informed within two weeks of interviewing. All applicants can track the status of their application in ApplyYourself, the system where all applications are submitted.

Q7: How many students apply for the program and how many are accepted?
In recent years we have received up to 190 applications and have accepted 20-30 applicants (modal cohort size: 24). We are unable to accept more than 30 applicants per year.

Q8: Do you accept students for the spring semester?
No. We only accept students for the fall semester of each year.

Q9: Do you take part-time or non-matriculating students?
No. We are a full-time program that requires students to be able to take five classes for three consecutive semesters and four classes in
the fourth semester while also completing 600 hours of internship (approximately 20 hours per week) during their last year in the program. In addition, students complete one elective course of their choosing at any point during the program, including either the summer or winter sessions.

Q10: What academic requirements must be met to be eligible for admission?
The minimum requirements are classes in introductory psychology, child development, abnormal psychology, psychological statistics, experimental psychology, or their equivalents. Most applicants have completed a bachelor’s degree majoring in psychology.

Q11: What is the minimum grade point average (GPA) to be considered for admission?
In general, we expect applicants to have an overall GPA of at least 3.2 and a GPA in psychology of at least 3.5. Moreover, we expect students to earn at least B’s in their undergraduate psychological statistics and experimental psychology classes.

Q12: Do students who do not meet these academic criteria have any chance of being considered for admission?
We try to be flexible in our evaluations and examine each transcript in detail, taking into account the nature of the courses completed and whether the student shows improvement towards the end of their undergraduate training.

Q13: Will classes taken years ago be accepted?
We have no set policy regarding number of years since completed coursework, but we do expect at least some required classes to have been taken within the last five years.

Q14: What other requirements are there aside from academics?
Applicants are expected to have supervised work or volunteer experience helping others and to be able to substantiate that experience by providing a letter from their supervisor. Applicants who advance to stage two of the admissions process are also required to participate in an interview with faculty as part of their evaluation for admission.

Q15: Are letters of reference required?
Yes, at least two letters of recommendation are required, three are preferred. We request that at least one be from a supervisor for any relevant applied experience (e.g., work or volunteer experience that demonstrates generalized counseling skills) and one from an academic instructor.

Q16: Is the GRE required?
No. The GRE is not required for admission; however, if an applicant has taken the GRE then it is requested that they submit their scores with their online application.

Q17: When are classes scheduled?
Classes are scheduled on Tuesday and Thursday from 10 am – 12:30 pm, 2 pm to 4:30 pm, and 5 pm to 7:30 pm. One day will have all three times filled and the other only two, with the specific days (T/Th) and times varying by semester.

Q18: Is it possible to work while completing the program.
It is very difficult to work more than 20 hours per week during the first year in the program. Students must be full-time and carry five classes per semester. During the second year (semesters 3 and 4 in the program) it is difficult to work even part-time: Students work at their internship for roughly 20 hours per week in addition to the full-time required coursework.

Q19: Do students find their own placements for the required internship?
The program provides students with a list of pre-approved internships to which they can apply; however, the list is not exhaustive, and students are encouraged to look for and recommend additional options that suit their professional interests. New internship sites must be approved by the program before a student is allowed to officially select it as a placement. Placements are competitive, so students are encouraged to being applying as soon as January for placements beginning in August/September. All of our students have found placements if they began their search in the spring semester prior to the fall in which their placements must begin.

Q20: What if I am accepted and discover that I cannot attend - may I defer admission?
Students may defer beginning the program for one year, after which they must file a new application.

Q21: What is the tuition?
Please check the City College Bursar's Website for the list of current tuition and other fees.

Q22: Is funding available? 
Although there are no internal fellowships, grants, or other direct funding streams available for Mental Health Counseling students, applicants are encouraged to seek external awards to offset the cost of tuition. Applicants can also consult with the CCNY financial aid office to see if there are any loans or programs for which one is eligible. There are also opportunities to work as a Teaching Assistant, which is a salaried position within the department.

Q23: Can I work as a Teaching Assistant (TA)?
Yes!  All accepted MHC students are guaranteed a job as a Teaching Assistant within the Department of Psychology if they so desire. Pay is determined by the specific course being taught. Details regarding the TA opportunities are provided upon acceptance to the program, and prior to having to make a decision regarding attendance.

Q24: Are there research opportunities?
Research is neither a required nor integrated part of the MHC program; however, there are many faculty members in the department with active programs of research. This includes faculty who do not teach within the MHC program. Students are welcome to reach out to any faculty members to inquire about research opportunities. It is recommended that students weigh carefully the additional demand that this would represent. The MHC program is designed to train students to become professional counselors, and there is little time available to invest in other endeavors.

Q25: Can I transfer classes from another institution?
No more than 9 credits may be transferred from other accredited graduate programs. In all cases, the classes must be approved by the director of the program. First semester classes must be approved before the first day of classes. Students must provide an official unopened transcript from the institution at which the classes were taken and as well as syllabi for any courses meant to replace required courses in the MHC curriculum. In some instances, a catalogue course description may be acceptable if a syllabus is not available. The classes should have been completed within the last 5 years.

Q26: I am an international student. Do I have to take the TOEFL or another test of English language proficiency, and if so, what are the minimum required scores?
International applicants may be required to take a test of English language proficiency.  Citizens from certain countries are exempt from this requirement (see below for a list of exempt countries).  If you are not a citizen of an exempt country, then a language test is required with the following minimum scores:

Minimum TOEFL/IELTS scores: 550 (PBT), 79-80 (IBT) or 6.5. See below for the list of countries exempt from the TOEFL/other English proficiency exams.

TOEFL EXEMPT COUNTRIES: Anguilla, Antigua and Barbuda, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Bermuda, Botswana, British Virgin Islands, Canada (except Quebec), Cayman Islands, Dominica, England, Fiji, Gambia, Ghana, Gibraltar, Grenada, Guyana, Ireland (Northern), Ireland (Republic of), Jamaica, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Malawi, Malta, Montserrat, Mauritius, Namibia, New Zealand, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Scotland, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, Singapore, Solomon Islands, South Africa, Swaziland, Tanzania, Tonga, Trinidad and Tobago, Uganda, United Kingdom, Vanuatu, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
(List current as of Spring 2021)

Q27: Does the program offer any online courses? The MHC program does not offer any online options at this time. All courses are offered in-person and students are expected to be on campus and in class for all required classes.

If you have any questions or would like more information about the program, then please contact Dr. Tiffany Floyd at  tfloyd@ccny.cuny.edu