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A group of students standing in front of a bronze statue of a man, in Accra, Ghana

Ghana: Cross-Cultural Counseling

Graduate Study Abroad

This course is designed to provide graduate students in the helping and aligned and allied professions with an introduction to social justice and multicultural and cross-cultural counseling. Participants will explore how behavior and experiences are shaped by cultural influences and society in the West African city of Accra, Ghana, a dynamic and traditional city of historic significance with a strong sense of community. In the first half of the semester, students will learn the fundamental concepts in social justice, cross-cultural and multicultural counseling through readings, online lectures, and online coursework; they will also meet weekly in an online classroom to discuss the materials and to prepare for the one-week, immersive study abroad experience.

During the one-week travel component in Accra, students will gain experiential knowledge of contemporary Ghanaian culture, its traditions and social justice challenges, and local models of wellness and healing through guest lectures and field visits with local educators, mental health professionals, and other service providers. After the spring break travel abroad, the class will convene again to reflect on their experiences and connect them to principles of cross-cultural counseling. The course will offer an in-depth examination of what it means – and what it takes – for counselors, educators, and other helping professionals to develop cultural competence and cultural humility in a globalizing context.

Location:

Accra, Ghana

Program Dates:

Travel component: March 22-29, 2025

Required class meetings: January 31, February 21, February 28, March 14, and April 11; all 3-5:30 pm ET

Faculty:

Frandelia Moore, Clinical Assistant Professor of Applied Psychology, Department of Applied Psychology

Application Deadlines:

  • Priority Deadline: Tuesday, September 17, 2024
  • Regular Deadline: Thursday, October 17, 2024 (admissions continue thereafter on a space-available basis)

Find the application link and instructions on the "How to Apply" page

Who can participate:

  • NYU graduate students
  • NYU undergraduate students who have:
    • 96+ earned credits by course start date
    • related coursework
    • approval from the faculty director as well as their advisor
  • Non-NYU graduate students and professionals who both:
    • Are U.S. citizens or permanent residents
    • Currently hold a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States

Related areas of study:

  • Applied Psychology
  • Counseling
  • Drama, Art, and Music Therapy
  • Physical and Occupational Therapy
  • Higher Education and Student Affairs
  • International Education

This is not a complete list. We value diverse perspectives in our programs and encourage students from other majors and professions.

How to apply:

The application link and instructions, as well as the deadlines and notification timelines, can be found on the "How to Apply" page

This is a credit-bearing graduate Global course. Students self-register in Albert and choose one of the following two courses for a total of 3 credits:

  • APSY-GE 2682, Section 095 (Class #19165) - Cross-Cultural Counseling (3 credits)
  • APSY-GE 2300, Section 095 (Class #20698) - Independent Study (3 credits)

Offered through the Department of Applied Psychology.

Important Note: All program applicants are encouraged to meet with their academic advisor to determine if and how this course may be applied toward their program requirements and degree completion.

Direct Costs Billed by NYU

Participants will be billed for the cost of the graduate course following the standard per-credit rate for NYU Steinhardt Graduate Study Tuition and Fees. In addition, study abroad courses have a supplemental Program Fee that covers the cost of housing abroad, program activities and visits, group transportation in-country, and international health insurance. Students can expect to be billed:

  • Steinhardt Graduate Tuition (3 credits) - $6,555
  • Steinhardt Graduate Registration and Services Fees - $714
  • Program Fee - $1,200
  • GeoBlue International Health Insurance - Included

Estimated Direct Cost Total - $8,469

Tuition, Registration, and Program fees will be due based on Bursar's Payment Schedule for the Spring term.

Out-of-Pocket Costs

Students are responsible for purchasing flights to and from the program location. Students will be notified when to book flights. We recommend comparing tickets on multiple sites to ensure the best fare. Past participants have used the following flight search engines: KayakGoogle Flights, and Student Universe.

In addition to airfare, participants should budget for other out-of-pocket costs, including daily meals (except for included welcome and farewell meals); transportation to and from the airport; passport and/or visa fees (if applicable); vaccination costs (if applicable); and other personal incidentals. These costs will vary depending on individual students' budgets, preferences, and choices. Students are encouraged to research potential costs by using online budgeting tools such as Numbeo, Expatistan, and Budget Your Trip.

Scholarships

NYU Steinhardt offers several graduate study abroad scholarships and maintains a list of additional external funding opportunities.

Study Abroad Budget Worksheet

Download and use this Study Abroad Budget Worksheet to estimate the cost of your study abroad experience. 

PLEASE NOTE: This spreadsheet lists possible expenses and may not be all-inclusive of program costs. In addition, your costs may fluctuate based on changes in currency exchange rates, airfare, varying personal lifestyles, etc. While this is a good tool for reviewing study abroad expenses, the results should be considered to be an estimate of the total cost of participation.

Housing

Students stay in shared-occupancy housing arranged by the Office of Global Affairs. Your housing is included in your Program Fee. Group accommodation dates correspond with the program dates listed above.

Flight, Travel, and Visa Information

Flight: Students book their own travel to coincide with program dates. Please keep in mind that flights arriving in Accra typically depart New York a day in advance. All participants are strongly encouraged to purchase refundable flights.

Passport: All program participants are required to have a valid passport, which must be valid for at least six months beyond the program's end date.

Visa: A visa is required for all U.S. citizens, which requires a copy of a valid Yellow Fever Vaccination card. See more information on the visa process on the Global Affairs Study Abroad Resources site; further instructions for obtaining a visa to Ghana will be provided by the Office of Global Affairs to all confirmed students.

All other passport holders should check their visa requirements on the embassy/consulate website. For further guidance on visas, contact OGS Outbound Student Services at ogs.outbound@nyu.edu.

Helpful links: US State DepartmentCenter for Disease ControlNYU Accra

Pre-Departure Resources

Visit the Steinhardt Study Abroad Resources website and get a head start on preparing for your study abroad program experience.

Policies

All applicants should review the Office of Global Affairs Short-Term Graduate Courses Policies page prior to applying to study abroad.

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