Coursework
The Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness Master of Arts is a 60 unit program. Students take 45 units of required coursework and 15 units of counseling-related elective courses. Read below for the full program and visit a sample schedule of classes.
Foundational Courses (21 units)
| Course No. | Course Title | Units |
| APSY-GE 2138 | Human Growth and Development | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2651 | Prof. Orient. & Eth. Issues in Coun. for MH &W | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2661 | Foundations of Couns. For MH & W | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2657 | Counseling: Theory and Process | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2658 | Lab in Individual Counseling Skills | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2812 | Practicum in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2070 | Research & Evaluation in Behavioral Sciences | 3.0 |
Intermediate Courses (15 units)
Advanced Courses (12 units)
| Course No. | Course Title | Units |
| APSY-GE 2663 | Program Development & Evaluation (Spring) | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2672 | Interp. and Use of Tests in Counseling Adults (Fall) | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2655 | Internship in Counseling for MH & W I (Fall) | 3.0 |
| APSY-GE 2656 | Internship in Counseling for MH & W II (Spring) | 3.0 |
Other Requirements (15 Units)
| Course # | Course Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Content Course | 3.0 | |
| Applied Content Course | 3.0 | |
| Applied Content Course | 3.0 | |
| Applied Content Course | 3.0 | |
| Applied Content Course | 3.0 | |
| CPC exam | 0.0 | |
| Non-Credit Workshop for Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse | 0.0 |
Counseling Lab
As part of your graduate study, you’ll complete one counseling lab in Individual Counseling Practice, developing your counseling skills, sharpening your self-awareness and insight. Centered around establishing the basic counseling micro-skills, this lab is part of our training model to develop expertise in communication in the counseling process.
The Counseling Lab (APSY-GE 2658, Lab in Individual Counseling Skills) is designed to present students with an opportunity for experiential learning and practice in communication skills and counseling process. Based on a training program called Interpersonal Process Recall (IPR), the class involves the use of training DVDs and audio-visual recording of counseling sessions to help students develop self-awareness, personal and professional insight, and basic counseling skills.
Enrollment is open to matriculated NYU graduate students in the following departments:
• Applied Psychology;
• Drama Therapy;
• Dance Therapy;
• Speech Pathology
Be advised that Lab is a prerequisite for Practicum. Lab and Practicum are prerequisites for Internship I and Internship II.
Students in lab will receive a letter grade. Those students in Lab who have not acquired the necessary insight or skill level required for advancement to Practicum will be required to repeat Lab.
Practicum
The practicum sequence consists of a minimum of 100 hours of supervised practice over a 12-week period with students spending at least one full day per week at their site. The experience allows for theoretical learning to be translated into practical experience and for the intern to engage in those activities that will prepare them for the professional role they will assume. Students will also develop a sense of professional identity and gain an understanding of the actual work of the counselor in a variety of settings. Students must be supervised by a licensed mental health professional. The practicum takes place in the summer semester of the first year (or second year for part-time students).
Internships
Hands-On Clinical Experience. You will complete a two-semester, 600-hour internship at an approved mental health setting, where you’ll develop, refine and practice your clinical skills under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional, and apply theory to practice. This is a requirement for state licensure.
Field learning is considered by many to be the center point of any counselor education program. It is strongly believed that counselors-in-training need the opportunity to combine their didactic learning with actual experience in a fieldwork setting where they can observe, develop clinical skills and practice the tasks typically associated with a professional counselor.
This clinical component of the program helps the counselor-in-training acquire an understanding of the role of the professional counselor. The student also develops a sense of professional identity and gains proficiency and confidence by applying his or her overall learning and emerging skills under the supervision of experienced, qualified and approved supervisors.
Typically students will spend both semesters in the same internship site. In addition to the required hours in the field, students are enrolled in an Internship seminar class. The internship experience is a preparation requirement for certification and /or licensure in all states.
For more information please email the Field Placement Team.
Other Requirements
Applied Content Area (15 units)
These courses are intended to broaden the skills, knowledge, and breadth of understanding of a counseling-related topic. They should be selected with the approval of the student's adviser. Additional courses may be considered by advisement.
All course options can be found in Albert. For additional questions about course offerings, please reach out to your advisor.
Non-Credit Workshop for Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse
All Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness students are required to register for and complete the state-mandated workshop on Identifying and Reporting Child Abuse. Students will be provided with a link to access the workshop. Students complete this workshop while taking APSY-GE 2651, Professional Orientation and Ethical Issues in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness, and APSY-GE 2661, Foundations of Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness.