As the largest city in the United States, mental health is an important topic in New York City. According to the first-ever report on the state of mental health in New York City, NYC Health, 1 in 4 adults in the city experience a mental health disorder. While this number may seem small, remember that the city’s population is 8.5 million people, 6 million of whom are adults.
Efforts to improve mental health at the city level include holistic programming such as mindfulness exercises in schools, tele-counseling for teens, clubhouse services, and access to substance use treatment. With the new programs and funding for mental health services in the city, there remains a shortage of qualified mental health professionals. According to the Mayor’s Office of Community Mental Health, new incentives are offered to bring more professionals to the field.
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Masters in Counseling Programs in New York City
Since the city’s population is larger than that of 38 states, the number of master of counseling programs is 14. These programs and their graduates are important to upholding the mental health of many people in the city.
Online Master of Counseling Programs in New York City
There are many benefits to attending an online Master of Counseling program. Some of these benefits include flexibility, continued access to course materials, and the ability to complete your courses while enjoying the Big Apple. Many programs in New York offer the flexibility of online courses and meet the requirements for licensure.
There are two master of counseling programs online in New York City.
New York University Steinhardt
- New York, New York
- Online + In-person
Program:
Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
Accreditation: Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC)
60 Credit Hours
Online and in-person programs located in New York, New York
Tuition: $126,061 tuition for the entire program
Program Description: With programs based completely online and on-campus, New York University Steinhardt offers a well-rounded education for all counseling students. For those seeking a more specialized program, New York University Steinhardt offers a certificate in counseling LGBTQ+ individuals. Beyond the classroom, extracurriculars include the Student Counseling Association, Student Alliances Fighting Against Racism, Power in Presence, and the International Student Facebook Group.
New York Institute of Technology
- Old Westbury and New York, New York
- Online + In-person
Program:
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
60 Credit Hours
Online and in-person programs located in Old Westbury and New York, New York
Tuition: $1,155 per credit hour
Program Description: Based online, this program offers high-quality training along with a practicum and internship to help create well-rounded counselors. This program teaches students how to conduct clinical evaluations, diagnose, create treatment plans, and use counseling techniques tailored to specific patients. This program offers an advanced counseling certificate for those looking to expand their opportunities in the mental health realm.
CACREP-Accredited Master of Counseling Programs in New York City
Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accreditation is becoming an increasingly popular feature of many master of counseling programs nationwide. Attending a CACREP-accredited graduate program can help you meet the counseling licensure requirements in most states.
There are three CACREP-accredited master of counseling programs in New York City.
St. John’s University
- Jamaica Queens, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: CACREP
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in Jamaica Queens, New York
Tuition: $1,470 per credit hour
Program Description: Located in Queens Borough in New York City, this program equips students with a CACREP-accredited education in counseling. Objectives of this program include training students in assessment, case conceptualization, diagnosis, treatment planning, and treating co-morbid substance use and mental health conditions. Beyond the classroom, high-achieving students have the opportunity to join the Sigma Tau Epsilon chapter of Chi Sigma Iota, the counseling honor society.
Touro University
- Brooklyn and New York, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: CACREP
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in Brooklyn and New York, New York
Tuition: $650 per credit hour
Program Description: Touro University’s campuses are in Times Square, Manhattan, and Brooklyn. They offer culturally sensitive classrooms for a diverse student body. This CACREP-accredited program prepares students for licensure in New York and all other states, such as the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico.
No GRE Required Master of Counseling Programs in New York City
The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is a standardized test used to test the aptitude of potential college students. If you struggle with standardized tests, finding a program that does not require it is ideal. New York State recently made it so that most schools do not require the GRE. There are many master of counseling programs in New York City that do not require the GRE for admission. Two programs in the Online Programs category do not require the GRE for admittance: New York University Steinhardt and the New York Institute of Technology. Under the CACREP-accredited programs category, three programs do not require the GRE. These programs are at St. John’s University, Touro University, and the City University of New York Queens College.
Master of counseling programs in New York City that do not require the GRE and are not listed above are as follows:
Columbia University
- New York, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Education in Counseling Psychology
Accreditation: MPCAC
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in New York, New York
Tuition: 5 Credits is $9,850, 7 Credits is $13,790, and 9 Credits is $17,730 plus fees
Program Description: Located in Manhattan, the Ivy League University of Columbia offers a robust master of counseling program. This program provides an education that is culturally rounded, experiential training, and research exposure. Those who study counseling at Columbia have the opportunity to join the many extracurricular activities offered by the university.
The City University of New York Baruch College
- New York, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: New York State Education Department (NYSED)
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in New York, New York
Tuition:
- $5,545 per semester plus fees for full-time students
- $470 per credit hour plus fees for part-time students
Program Description: This program located just a few blocks from Madison Square Park offers a well-rounded counseling education. The program is rigorous and requires full-time attendance during the day. Those enrolled will complete practicum and internship requirements when not in class.
The City University of New York Brooklyn College
- Brooklyn, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: N/A
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in Brooklyn, New York
Tuition:
- $5,545 per semester plus fees for full-time students
- $470 per credit hour plus fees for part-time students
Program Description: Located by the South Midwood and Little Haiti neighborhoods in Brooklyn, this program offers a well-rounded counseling education by utilizing cultural and artistic diversity. This program focuses on developing the talents of those with a psychological background and offers support from instructors all with a unique background.
The City University of New York Staten Island
- Staten Island, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: MPCAC
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in Staten Island, New York
Tuition:
- $5,545 per semester plus fees for full-time students
- $470 per credit hour plus fees for part-time students
Program Description: This program, located on Staten Island, focuses on teaching its students about the vicissitudes, challenges, and difficulties of the human condition. The program is 60 credits and can be finished in just two and a half years. Those enrolled can also expect to learn about cultural and social challenges in an ever-changing world.
The City University of New York Hunter College
- New York, New York
- In-person
Program:
Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: N/A
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in New York, New York
Tuition:
- $5,545 per semester plus fees for full-time students
- $470 per credit hour plus fees for part-time students
Program Description: Located near the Flatiron District and the East Village, CUNY Hunter College offers a unique coursework and practical experience mix. This program prepares students to work in various sites such as hospitals, agency and community settings, and private practice.
The City University of New York John Jay College of Criminal Justice
- New York, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Arts in Forensic Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: NYSED
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in New York, New York
Tuition:
- $5,545 per semester plus fees for full-time students
- $470 per credit hour plus fees for part-time students
Program Description: Located just blocks from Central Park, this program offers a unique mental health counseling program. This program is unique because it focuses mostly on forensic mental health counseling. With this specialization, one is equipped to work in settings such as victim services, correctional facilities, juvenile detentions, and probation/parole.
Fordham University
- Bronx, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: MPCAC
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in Bronx, New York
Tuition: $1,638 per credit hour plus fees
Program Description: Fordham University is another program located close to Central Park. It offers a 60-credit-hour master of counseling degree. This program prepares students for employment in mental health clinics, community mental health facilities, hospitals, non-profit counseling centers, colleges and universities, and corporate mental health programs. Those studying at Fordham University can also expect a strong “multicultural emphasis” on courses to promote diversity in the field and educate students on various cultural differences.
Long Island University Brooklyn
- Brooklyn, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: Commission of Higher Education of the Middle States Association of Colleges and Secondary Schools
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in Brooklyn, New York
Tuition: $1,352 per credit hour plus fees
Program Description: This program located in the heart of Brooklyn trains future counselors to treat mental health issues such as depression, anxiety, substance abuse, and trauma. Those enrolled can also expect to learn how to use a variety of interventions to help treat these conditions.
Mercy University
- Bronx and Dobbs Ferry, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in Bronx and Dobbs Ferry, New York
Tuition: $1,005 per credit hour plus fees
Program Description: Mercy University offers a flexible program allowing for full or part-time completion of courses. This program focuses on courses on topics such as counseling and ethics, trauma and crisis, family assessment, research methods, and diagnosis/treatment. Those enrolled can expect to have a well-rounded experience in the classroom and the field.
Yeshiva University
- New York, New York
- In-person
Program:
Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
Accreditation: NYSED
60 Credit Hours
In-person program located in New York, New York
Tuition: $1,589 per credit hour plus fees
Program Description: Yeshiva University has been offered a master of counseling degree for around 15 years. This program prepares students to work with the Jewish and minority communities within New York City. Instructors of this program also work in practices within the community and bring both educational and on-the-job experiences to the classroom.
Most Affordable Master of Counseling Programs in New York City
When choosing a Master in Counseling program, many people look toward the price of the program. While the quality of education is important, it is also important to be able to afford it. When looking at the price of a program it is important to consider how much you will be paying out of pocket, student loans, and your ability to pay back the loans after graduation.
The most affordable master of counseling program in New York City is a tie between a few programs. With a price of $470 per credit hour, the programs at CUNY Queens College, CUNY Baruch College, CUNY Brooklyn College, CUNY Staten Island, CUNY Hunter College, and CUNY John Jay College of Criminal Justice.
Accelerated Master of Counseling Programs in New York City
After four years of undergraduate education, many people are often looking forward to completing their master’s as quickly as possible to get into the workforce. Due to accreditation standards at some programs and state licensure requirements, most master of counseling programs take around two to four years to complete.
While no programs on this list are advertised as accelerated, CUNY Staten Island reports that their program can be completed in two and a half years. All programs on this list require 60 credit hours to graduate but vary on completion time due to course sequencing.
New York City Counseling FAQs
What Are the Largest Employers of Counseling Degree Graduates in New York City
New York City is a largely populated metropolitan area on the East Coast of the United States. Due to the city’s large population and area, there are many mental health counselors. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the largest employers of counselors in NYC are outpatient care centers, individual and family services, offices of other health practitioners (primary care doctors/OBGYN, etc), residential facilities for individuals with developmental disabilities, and local government agencies.
What is the Average Salary for a Counseling Degree Graduate in New York City
According to the employment site Glassdoor, the average salary of posted counseling positions is between $66-120,000 with the median being $86,000.
