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Curriculum

MA, Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness

How to Apply

The Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness is a comprehensive 60-credit program designed to prepare you for a career as licensed mental health counselor. This program emphasizes the development of counseling competencies in understanding diverse populations across the lifespan, promoting social justice, and fostering wellness. As a graduate of this program, you will meet the academic requirements for licensure and diagnostic privilege in New York State and gain practical experience through a practicum and internship.

Core Course Sequence

The core curriculum for the Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program is designed to provide you with a solid foundation in mental health counseling. Courses cover topics such as human development, counseling theories, multicultural counseling, and ethics. Our unique curriculum integrates theoretical knowledge with practical skills, ensuring that you are well-prepared for your future career in diverse settings. By the time you graduate, you will have developed strong therapeutic, clinical assessment, and cultural competence skills for effective mental health counseling. Courses are carefully selected to ensure that you can confidently address a wide range of mental health issues and promote overall wellness for your future clients. 

Sample Elective Courses

  • Social Justice Practice for Counselors 
  • Trauma: Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives 
  • Substance Related and Addictive Disorders 
  • Cognitive Behavior Therapy 

Culminating Experience

The culminating experience in the Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program includes a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship. These field experiences are conducted in accredited mental health facilities, providing students with hands-on practice in real-world settings. During the practicum, you will engage in activities such as intake assessments, clinical evaluations, and formulating counseling strategies. The internship offers extensive supervised counseling practice, allowing you to apply your knowledge and skills under the guidance of licensed professionals. These experiences are crucial for developing practical expertise and preparing for successful careers as mental health counselors.

CPC Exam Required

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Program Requirements

The program requires the completion of 60 credits, and students can elect to take the on-campus option or the online option.

Course Title Credits
Major Requirements
Foundational Courses
To be taken during the first year (including summer)
APSY-GE 2661Foundations of Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (First Semester) 13
APSY-GE 2658Lab in Individual Counseling Skills (First Semester) 13
APSY-GE 2657Individual Counseling: Theory and Process (First Semester) 13
APSY-GE 2138Human Growth and Development (First Semester) 13
APSY-GE 2651Prof Orientation & Ethics for Counseling in Mental Hlth & Wellness (Second Semester) 13
APSY-GE 2812Practicum in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (Summer) 13
Intermediate Courses
To be taken before or during internship, as noted
APSY-GE 2038Abnormal Psychology 13
APSY-GE 2070Research and Evaluation Methods in Behavioral Sciences3
APSY-GE 2620Group Dynamics: Theory and Practice 13
APSY-GE 2634The Dynamics of Vocational Development3
APSY-GE 2682Cross-Cultural Counseling 13
Advanced Courses
To be taken during the second year
APSY-GE 2655Internship in Counseling Mental Health and Wellness I3
APSY-GE 2656Internship in Counseling Mental Health and Wellness II3
APSY-GE 2663Program Development and Evaluation in Counseling (spring only)3
APSY-GE 2672Interpretation and Use of Tests in Counseling Adults (fall only)3
Applied Content Area15
Culminating Experience
Students must pass the Comprehensive Exam (CECE Exam) during their final semester
Total Credits60
1

Indicates successful course completion required prior to internship.

Note: Foundational Courses are to be taken first, in conjunction with intermediate courses, followed by advanced courses. Other requirements may be taken as they fit into student programs. For part-time students, the sequencing of courses remains the same. Part-time students need to pay special attention to pre- and co-requisites in planning their programs.

Applied Content Area

To fulfill their requirements for applied content area credits, students may choose courses from offerings in the program, department, and school that enable them to pursue specialized interests. Students may also elect to take applied coursework in other schools within the University. Applied content areas may include grief and bereavement counseling; career counseling; women and mental health; gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender studies; drama therapy, art therapy, or music therapy; and marriage and family. Students in the Program in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness should consult with an adviser to develop this applied content area sequence.

Comprehensive Exams

All students in the MA Programs in Counseling must pass the Counselor Education Comprehensive Examination (CECE) for satisfaction of the terminal experience requirement. The exam is taken in the final semester of study and students can take the exam up to two times. If they are unsuccessful in their second attempt, they will complete an alternative assignment.

Sample Plan of Study

Plan of Study Grid
1st Semester/TermCredits
APSY-GE 2657 Individual Counseling: Theory and Process 1 3
APSY-GE 2658 Lab in Individual Counseling Skills 1 3
APSY-GE 2661 Foundations of Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness 1 3
APSY-GE 2138 Human Growth and Development 3
APSY-GE 2038 Abnormal Psychology 1 3
 Credits15
2nd Semester/Term
APSY-GE 2651 Prof Orientation & Ethics for Counseling in Mental Hlth & Wellness 1 3
APSY-GE 2620 Group Dynamics: Theory and Practice 1 3
APSY-GE 2682 Cross-Cultural Counseling 1 3
APSY-GE ----Applied Content Area course 3
APSY-GE ----Applied Content Area course 3
 Credits15
3rd Semester/Term
APSY-GE 2812 Practicum in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness 3
Applied Content Area course 3
 Credits6
4th Semester/Term
APSY-GE 2655 Internship in Counseling Mental Health and Wellness I 3
APSY-GE 2672 Interpretation and Use of Tests in Counseling Adults 3
APSY-GE 2070 Research and Evaluation Methods in Behavioral Sciences 3
APSY-GE ----Applied Content Area course 3
 Credits12
5th Semester/Term
APSY-GE 2656 Internship in Counseling Mental Health and Wellness II 3
APSY-GE 2663 Program Development and Evaluation in Counseling 3
APSY-GE 2634 The Dynamics of Vocational Development 3
APSY-GE ----Applied Content Area course 3
 Credits12
 Total Credits60
1

Must be completed before start of internship

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