About This Degree
Prepare for a career as a professional clinical counselor in a broad spectrum of settings, including community agencies, mental health centers, hospitals, integrated behavioral health centers, and substance abuse treatment centers. This degree is ideal for those interested in improving people’s lives on an individual level within a variety of contexts.
We are committed to generating, advancing, and disseminating knowledge related to all aspects of research and practice in counseling. We teach our students to understand people across the lifespan in cultural contexts, promote equity and social justice in our work, and help all people craft lives of wellness, health, and meaning.
You will gain the skills to:
- Form helping counseling relationships and demonstrate a commitment to the growth and development of your clients
- Apply counseling skills such as assessment, case conceptualization, practice, and advocacy
- Assess clients within various socio-historical contexts with attention to issues of power and privilege – including gender, race and ethnicity, class, sexual orientation, and ability/disability
- Official title
- Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
Fall Start
Application deadline
- December 15
Admissions
Application Guidelines
Please visit the How to Apply Page for more information on application requirements.
Information Session
Individuals interested in learning about and applying to the Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program can attend the Office of Graduate Admissions' program-specific in-person or virtual information sessions. Tune in to hear from our faculty and admissions staff, and get your questions answered. Visit the Grad Admission Info Session for more details.
GRE Requirements
Not required.
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.
Licensure and Accreditation
The Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program at New York University is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of January 2015 through February 2027.
On Probation
As required by MPCAC, please find the admissions and enrollment statistics for the period June 1, 2024, through May 31, 2025, here.
Graduates of this program meet the academic requirements for licensure in the state of New York. Each state sets its 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 coursework you may need to complete to meet that state’s requirements.
Diagnostic Privileges
Graduates are eligible to qualify for diagnostic privileges in New York State. This privilege allows licensed mental health counselors to independently diagnose mental disorders and create assessment-based treatment plans, and permits them to take on a more comprehensive role in providing mental health services. Many employers prefer or require professionals with diagnostic abilities.
Academic Experience
This MA combines core courses and content electives with counseling labs and internships. You’ll study counseling foundations, theory and process, ethical issues, group dynamics, cross-cultural counseling, abnormal psychology, and human growth and development, then apply your knowledge within your internship placement.
Elective courses focus on applied content areas such as bereavement counseling, career counseling, marriage and family counseling, and addiction counseling, as well as on counseling special populations such as LGBT people, women, people with disabilities, and individuals with addiction disorders.
Graduate Study Abroad Opportunities
Students in the Applied Psychology graduate programs can take part in short‑term, faculty‑led global learning opportunities offered through the Office of Global Affairs, exploring psychological theory, research, and practice in diverse cultural and community settings.
Careers and Outcomes
Through rigorous coursework, hands-on clinical training, and a strong emphasis on multiculturalism and social justice, alumni develop the skills to navigate the complexities of mental health care with empathy, insight, and adaptability.
You’ll be prepared for a fulfilling career in:
- Community mental health programs
- College counseling centers
- Trauma-focused programs
- HIV and AIDS outreach programs
- Substance abuse treatment centers
Take the Next Step
Advance your personal and professional journey – apply to join our community of students.