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Counseling for Mental Health is an online and on-campus program. 

The New York University Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program is an academic program designed to enable a graduate to meet the educational requirements to qualify for licensure in New York and in certain other states. This program places students in supervised field experiences both within and outside of New York State (NYS).  

Note, state regulations change frequently, and the information posted here may have changed at the time of your specific application to or enrollment in our program of study.   

The Program is not authorized in all states. If a student changes their state of primary residence following initial enrollment in the Program, that student may not be able to continue in the Program, complete placement requirements, sit for any required state examinations, or be eligible for licensure in the student’s new state. If a student moves or plans to move, the student should contact the Field Placement Office. Please check with the Field Placement Office if you have specific questions about the educational requirements for licensure or other licensure requirements in a specific state.

Please see the table below for eligibility by state for licensure. 

Please note that certain states may require individualized plans of study to meet certain state specific requirements, or require that a student take certain State-required courses in lieu of electives. If required to meet State licensure requirements, NYU will provide students in those states with an individualized plan of study to meet the requirements, and such an individualized plan of study may not allow such students to take other electives in the Program.

In addition to the information listed below, most states require  candidates to pass the National Counseling Exam (NCE), the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination (NCMHCE) or the Commission on Rehabilitation Counselor Certification exam (CRCC).

License eligibility by state
StateState License Contact InfoMeets the Academic Requirements for State Licensure?Additional Information
Alabama

Board of Examiners in Counseling

 

Yes 
AlaskaBoard of Professional CounselorsYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements: 
Alaska requires a course in marriage and family counseling (APSY-GE 2684 Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling). Students will take this course as an elective for no additional time or cost to meet Alaska state requirements.
ArizonaArizona Department of EducationYes 
ArkansasBoard of Examiners in Counseling & MFTNoAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Arkansas requires a 1-credit Use of Technology course. NYU does not offer such a course.  

Other Licensure Requirements:
Arkansas requires that classes be completed in a residential setting. Online students cannot meet this requirement. At this time, NYU is not recruiting students from Arkansas for the online program.
CaliforniaBoard of Behavioral SciencesYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
California requires a 3-credit psychopharmacology course. Students will take NYU's course in psychopharmacology as an elective for no additional time or cost to meet California state requirements.

Other Licensure Requirements: California requires applicants who attend an out of state institution to complete a 3-credit California law and ethics course prior to issuance of the associate license.
ColoradoState Board of Licensed Professional Counselor ExaminersYesOther Licensure Requirements:
Candidates must obtain a content equivalency evaluation and report from the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE). Additional cost for this may be required.
ConnecticutDepartment of Public HealthYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Connecticut requires a course in addiction and substance abuse (APSY-GE 2691 Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment) and a course on trauma (APSY-GE 1500 Trauma: Theoretical and Clinical Perspectives). Students will take these two courses as electives for no additional time and cost to meet Connecticut state requirements.
DelawareBoard of Mental Health and Chemical Dependency ProfessionalsYes 
FloridaBoard of Clinical Social Work, Marriage & Family Therapy and Mental Health CounselingYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements: 
Florida requires a course in human sexuality. Students will take NYU's course in human sexuality as an elective for no additional time or cost to meet Florida state requirements.
GeorgiaBoard of Prof. Counselors, Social Workers, and Marriage & Family TherapistsYes 
HawaiiDept. of Commerce and Consumer Affairs - Professional and Vocational LicensingYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Hawaii requires 300 hours of supervised client contact. NYU requires 280 hours. NYU will work with the candidate to acquire and document the additional hours.
IdahoBoard Of Professional Counselor And Marriage And Family TherapistsYes 
IllinoisDepartment of Financial and Professional RegulationYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Illinois requires a substance abuse course (APSY-GE 2691: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment) and a family dynamics course (APSY-GE 2684 Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling). Students will take these as electives for no additional time or cost to meet Illinois state requirements.
IndianaBehavioral Health And Human Services Licensing BoardYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Indiana requires 66 hours of face-toface supervision in a counseling setting. NYU will work with the candidate to acquire and document supervision hours to meet Indiana state requirements.
IowaBoard of Behavioral ScienceYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curricular Requirements: Iowa requires a 3-credit psychopharmacology course. Students will take NYU's course in psychopharmacology as an elective for no additional time or cost to meet Iowa state requirements.
Other Licensure Requirements:
Candidates must obtain a content equivalency evaluation and report from the Center for Credentialing and Education, Inc. (CCE). Additional cost for this may be required.
KansasBehavioral Sciences Regulatory BoardYes 
KentuckyBoard of Professional CounselorsNoOther Licensure Requirements:
Kentucky requires CACREP programmatic accreditation for licensure. NYU is accredited by MPCAC.
LouisianaLicensed Professional Counselors Board of ExaminersYes 
MaineBoard of Counseling Professionals LicensureYes 
MarylandBoard of Professional Counselors and TherapistsYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Maryland requires courses in alcohol and drug counseling (APSY-GE 2691: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment), psychotherapy and treatment of mental and emotional disorders (APSY-GE 2025: Cognitive Behavior Therapy: Theory and Application), and marriage and family counseling (APSY-GE 2684 Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling). Students will take these three courses as electives for no additional time or cost to meet Maryland state requirements.
Additional Licensure Requirements:
Candidates must pass the Maryland law exam.
MassachusettsBoard of Registration of Allied Mental Health and Human ProfessionsYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Massachusetts requires specific amounts of group and individual supervision hours. NYU will work with the student to acquire and document these hours to meet Massachusetts state requirements.
MichiganDepartment of Licensing and Regulatory AffairsYesAdditional Licensure Requirements:
Michigan requires applicants for licensure to complete training in identifying victims of human trafficking. Students may satisfy this requirement by taking a teleconference or webinar course, online presentation, live presentation, or printed or electronic media prior to applying for licensure.
MinnesotaBoard of Behavioral Health and TherapyYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Minnesota requires a course in marriage and/or family counseling therapy (APSY-GE 2684: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling). Students will take this course as an elective for no additional time or cost to meet Minnesota state requirements.
MississippiBoard of Examiners for Licensed Professional CounselorsYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Mississippi requires a course in marriage and/or family counseling therapy (APSY-GE 2684: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling). Students will take this course as an elective for no additional time or cost to meet Mississippi state requirements. 
MissouriCommittee for Professional CounselorsOnline: No
Residential: Yes
Other Licensure Requirements:
Missouri requires that online programs be accredited by CACREP. NYU is accredited by MPCAC. At this time, NYU is not recruiting students from Missouri for the online program.
MontanaBoard of Behavioral HealthYes 
NebraskaDepartment of Health & Human ServicesYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Nebraska requires 300 clock hours of direct client contact of which 150 clock hours must be face-to-face in a work setting under the supervision of a qualified supervisor. NYU requires 280 hours. NYU will work with the student to acquire and document these hours to meet Nebraska state requirements. 
NevadaBoard of Examiners for Marriage and Family Therapists & Clinical Professional CounselorsNoAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Nevada requires a course in substance abuse counseling (APSY-GE 2691 Substance-related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment) and two courses in human development across the lifespan. NYU offers only one course, which is required of all students, that covers the lifespan (APSY-GE 2138 Human Growth and Development). Students will take APSY-GE 2691 as an elective at no additional time or cost to meet Nevada state requirements, but must take a second human development course on their own at additional cost. 

At this time, NYU is not recruiting students from Nevada for the online program.
New HampshireBoard of Mental Health PracticeYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements: 
New Hampshire requires a course in addictive behaviors (APSY-GE 2691 Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment). Students will take this course as an elective for no additional time or cost to meet New Hampshire state requirements.
New JerseyProfessional Counselor Examiners CommitteeYes 
New MexicoNew Mexico Counseling and Therapy Practice BoardYes 
New YorkNew York State Education Department - Office of the ProfessionsYes 
North CarolinaBoard of Licensed Professional CounselorsNoOther Licensure Requirements:
North Carolina requires CACREP programmatic accreditation for licensure. NYU is accredited by MPCAC. At this time, NYU is not recruiting from North Carolina for the online program.
North DakotaBoard of Counselor ExaminersYes 
OhioCounselor, Social Worker and Marriage and Family Therapist BoardYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Ohio requires coursework in the evaluation, diagnosis, methods of intervention and prevention, and treatment of mental and emotional disorders. Students will take NYU's course in psychopharmacology and APSY-GE 2182 Psychopathology and Use of the DSM as electives at no additional time or cost to meet Ohio state requirements. 
OklahomaState Board of Behavioral HealthYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements: 
Oklahoma requires courses in addictions counseling (APSY-GE 2691: Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment); and marriage/family counseling (APSY-GE 2684: Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling). Students will take these courses as electives at no additional time or cost to meet Oklahoma state requirements.
OregonBoard of Licensed Professional Counselors & TherapistsYes 
PennsylvaniaState Board Of Social Workers, Marriage And Family Therapists And Professional CounselorsYes 
Rhode IslandDepartment of Health - Marriage, Family and Mental Health TherapyYes, with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
RI requires a course in cognitive behavioral therapy (APSY-GE 2025 Cognitive Behavioral Therapy) or a course in marriage/family counseling (APSY-GE 2684: Marriage, Couple, and Family Counseling). Students will take one of these courses as an elective at no additional time or cost to meet RI state requirements.
South CarolinaBoard of Examiners for Licensure of Professional Counselors, Marriage and Family Therapists, Addiction Counselors and Psycho-Educational Specialists

Yes

 

 
South DakotaCounselors and Marriage and Family Therapist ExaminersYes 
TennesseeBoard for Licensed Professional Counselors, Licensed Marital and Family Therapists and Licensed Clinical Pastoral TherapistsYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Tennessee requires a course in psychopathology and use of the DSM (APSY-GE 2182 Psychopathology and Use of the DSM). Students will take this course as an elective at no additional time or cost to meet Tennessee state requirements. 
TexasState Board of Examiners of Professional CounselorsYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Texas requires courses in substance abuse counseling (APSY-GE 2691 Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment), marriage and family counseling (APSY-GE 2684 Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling), and APSY-GE 2182 Psychopathology and Use of the DSM. Students will take these courses as electives at no additional time or cost to meet Texas state requirements.
UtahDept. of Commerce - Division of Occupational and Professional LicensingYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curricular Requirements:
Utah requires a course in substance abuse counseling (APSY-GE 2691 Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment). Students will take this course as an elective at no additional time or cost to meet Utah state requirements.
VermontBoard of Allied Mental HealthYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Vermont requires a course in psychopathology and use of the DSM (APSY-GE 2182 Psychopathology and Use of the DSM). Students will take this course as an elective at no additional time or cost to meet Vermont state requirements.
VirginiaBoard of CounselingYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curriculum Requirements:
Virginia requires courses in substance abuse counseling (APSY-GE 2691 Substance-Related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research, and Treatment) and marriage and family counseling (APSY-GE 2684 Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling). Students will take these courses as electives at no additional time or cost to meet Virginia state requirements.
WashingtonDepartment of HealthYes 
West VirginiaBoard of Examiners in CounselingYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curricular Requirements:
West Virginia requires coursework in one of the following areas: substance abuse counseling (APSY-GE 2691 Substance-related and Addictive Disorders: Theory, Research and Treatment) and marriage and family counseling (APSY-GE 2684 Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling). Students must also take either APSY-GE 2008 Adolescent Sexual Health and Healthy Relationships or NYU's course in psychopharmacology. Students will take these courses as electives at no additional time or cost to meet West Virginia state requirements.
WisconsinDepartment of Safety and Professional ServicesYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curricular Requirements:
Wisconsin requires a course in clinical mental health counseling diagnosis and treatment planning (APSY-GE Psychopathology and Use of the DSM). Students will take this course as an elective at no additional time or cost to meet Wisconsin state requirements.
WyomingMental Health Professions Licensing BoardYes  

U.S. Territories

License eligibility by U.S. territory
TerritoryLicense Contact InfoMeets the Academic Requirements for State Licensure?Additional Information
American Samoa No 
District of ColumbiaBoard of Professional CounselingYes with certain specificationsAdditional Curricular Requirements:
District of Columbia requires a course in marriage and family counseling (APSY-GE 2684: Marriage, Couple and Family Counseling). Students will take this course as an elective at no additional time or cost to meet District of Columbia requirements.
GuamGuam Board of Allied Health ExaminersYes 
Northern Mariana IslandsCNMI Board of Professional Licensing and the Health Care Professions Licensing BoardYes 
Puerto RicoBoard of Examiners of Professional CounselorsNo 
U.S. Virgin IslandsDepartment of Licensing and Consumer AffairsYes