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Master of Arts / Advanced Certificate
Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness / LGBT Health, Education, and Social Services

In this dual degree, our combination of course work and clinical training will prepare you for a career as a licensed mental health professional. You’ll be ready to work in a broad spectrum of settings, with a focus on working with LGBT populations and the organizations that serve them. Graduates meet the academic requirements for New York State licensure.

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Degree Details

Official Degree Title

Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness and Post-Master’s Advanced Certificate in LGBT Health, Education, and Social Services

Licensure or Certification
Format
Full-time
Credits
66
Start Date
Fall
Application Deadline

The Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness degree is designed for aspiring mental health counselors who want to treat mental illness and help clients reach their potential. This dual-degree option enables you to prepare for your licensure as a mental health counselor while focusing on expanding your knowledge of the issues that affect lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people. 

This degree is registered by New York State as a licensure-qualifying program in mental health counseling. You’ll graduate ready to work in a broad range of settings including community agencies, college counseling centers, HIV and AIDS outreach programs, and private practice.

Students who pursue the advanced certificate in LGBT Health, Education, and Social Sciences may count 6 credits from the curriculum toward the elective component of their Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness MA.

This program is accredited by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for 2015 through 2025. Graduates of this program meet the academic requirements for licensure in the state of New York. Each state sets their own policies, regulations, and standards for licensure. If you intend to pursue licensure in a state other than New York, you should consult our Licensure page for more information on whether our program meets the academic requirements for licensure in that state and whether there is additional course work you may need to complete to meet that state’s requirements.

Program Benefits for International Students

If you’re an international student, you may be able to work in the United States after graduation for an extended period of time. Most students studying on F-1 visas will be eligible for 12 months of Optional Practical Training (OPT) off-campus work authorization. F-1 students in our program may also be eligible for the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, or Mathematics) OPT extension, allowing you to extend your time in the United States to pursue degree-related work experience for a total of 36 months or 3 years. For more information on who can apply for this extension visit NYU’s Office of Global Services: STEM OPT.

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