Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
Asynchronous Online | Live Online | On-Campus
Credits
Degree Level
Maximum Flexibility
Career
Program Overview
The 60-credit MA in Mental Health Counseling program at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology prepares students to become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) in New York State. Established over 15 years ago as one of the first such programs in New York, our curriculum offers both theoretical foundations and practical applications of psychological counseling, taught by faculty who are recognized experts in their fields.
Program Options
Enrollment Options: Full-time or part-time study available
Delivery Formats:
- Asynchronous online coursework with flexible scheduling
- Live online synchronous sessions
- On-campus classes at our Bronx, New York campus
Key Benefits
- New York State Education Department (NYSED)-approved licensure-qualifying program for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) credentialing
- Extensive field placement network throughout the New York metropolitan area
- Opportunity to study alongside doctoral students, providing advantages for future doctoral pursuits
- Faculty comprised of practicing LMHCs with extensive clinical experience
- Training in multicultural competencies to serve diverse populations
Field Placement
Students complete a minimum of 600 supervised field placement hours before graduation. Our program maintains partnerships with numerous community mental health centers, hospitals, and agencies throughout New York City, offering diverse clinical experiences across various populations and settings.
Licensure Pathway
Graduates who complete the required post-graduate experience and pass the NCMHCE examination qualify for licensure as Mental Health Counselors in New York State.
Accreditation
The program has been approved by the New York State Education Department as meeting the requirements for licensure-qualifying programs in mental health counseling. Graduates of this program, with required post-graduate experience, and who pass the NCMHCE examination, are eligible for licensure as Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC) in New York State.
BA/MA Accelerated Option
Psychology majors at Stern College and Yeshiva College can complete both their BA in Psychology and MA in Mental Health Counseling in just 5 years (10 semesters) instead of the traditional 13 semesters.
Application Process for BA/MA Pathway:
- Contact the Pathways coordinator at pathways@yu.edu to arrange an informational meeting
- Notify your Undergraduate Psychology Department Chair by the end of your sophomore year
- Apply through Ferkauf Admissions by December 1st of your junior year
- Begin coursework in the spring semester of your junior year
Full Program Breakdown
Admissions Contact
On-Campus and Live Online
ferkaufadmissions@yu.edu
646.592.4380
Online Asynchronous
Jozette Kauffman
jozette.kauffman@yu.edu
Program Directors
Stella Kim Hansen, PhD
stella.kimhansen@yu.edu
646.592.4377
Linsdale Graham, PhD
linsdale.graham@yu.edu
646-592-4545
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Prospective Students
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Student Resources
Quick Links
Requirements
The 60-credit MA program offers theoretical and applied principles of psychological counseling.
Required Core Courses: 42 credits
- PSM 6515 Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan
- PSM 6405 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
- PSM 6120 Basic Principles of Counseling
- PSM 6815 Psychopathology: Child, Adolescent & Adult
- PSM 6461 Principles in Group Therapy
- PSM 6503 Lifestyle and Career Development
- PSM 6225 Appraisal of Individuals, Couples, Families & Groups
- PSM 6430 Statistics, Research and Program Evaluation
- PSM 6371 Ethics & Issues in Professional Practice (includes New York State required Syllabus on Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment)
- PSM 6181 MHC: Multicultural and Diversity Issues
- PSM 6500 Advanced Issues in Mental Health Counseling
- PSM 6191 Concepts and Techniques in Mental Health Counseling (Clinical Instruction)
- PSM 6943 Supervised Field Placement I - 1.5 credits (includes group supervision requirement)
- PSM 6944 Supervised Field Placement II -1.5 credits (includes group supervision requirement)
- PSM 6946 Supervised Field Placement III - 1.5 credits (includes Proseminar on Professional Identity Development and Comprehensive Exam- Part I)
- PSM 6947 Supervised Field Placement IV - 1.5 credits (total supervised hours must meet minimum of 600 hours; Comprehensive Exam- Part II)
Other Required Courses: 12 credits
- PSM 6193 Counseling Skills Development
- PSM 6816 Advanced Issues in Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- PSM 6945 Counseling Practicum
- PSM 6483 Substance Abuse and Treatment
Elective and Specialized Courses: 6 credits
Choose a minimum of two from the following additional coursework acceptable upon approval of the program director.
- PSM 6100 Neuropsychology Basic Principles
- PSM 6622 Counseling in Public Settings
- PSM 6485 Crisis Counseling
- PSM 6170 Sexuality and Gender Counseling
- PSM 6510 Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy Principles for Counseling
- PSM 6194 Principles of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Counseling
- PSM 6440 Couples and Family Counseling
- PSM 6450 Counseling with Children and Adolescents
- PSM 6484 Grief, Loss and Bereavement Counseling
- PSM 6182 Attachment Across the Lifespan
- PSM 6195 The Resilient Counselor
- PSM 6230 CBT for Anxiety Disorders & OCD
- PSA 6601 History and Systems of Psychology
- PSH 6930 Physiological Psychology
- PSA 6071 Psychopharmacology
MHC Concentrations (optional): 9 credits
Must take three courses in an area of specialization and successfully complete field placement hours in the same specialized area.
Addictions Counseling
- Substance Abuse and Treatment
- Treatment and Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders
- Practicum in Integrated Recovery and Treatment Evaluation Methodologies
Couples and Family Counseling
- Couples and Family Counseling
- Counseling with Children and Adolescents
- Practicum in Assessment, Intervention and Ethical Issues in Couples and Family Counseling
Multicultural Counseling
- Sexuality and Gender Counseling
- Diversity, Racism, Oppression and Privilege in Counseling
- Practicum in Multicultural Counseling in Community Agencies
Policy on Student Interpersonal and Emotional Functioning and Disclosure
Self-observation and self-reflection or mindfulness are core aspects in the training of all professional counselors. The mental health counseling faculty supports this view. Applicants to this program need to be aware that some classes and field placements may require disclosure of personal information in course or program-related activities either in writing or in class discussions.
Students are evaluated both academically and on their interpersonal and emotional functioning in their development as mental health counselors and their ability to acquire and integrate professional standards into their professional behavior and their work with clients.
For more information on the Ferkauf MA in Mental Health Counseling program, please read the MA FAQs guide (PDF). You can also contact either of the program directors.
Student Handbook: A Vital Resource
The MA in Mental Health Counseling Program Student Handbook (PDF) includes important information regarding academic outlines and requirements, policies and procedures, academic standards, curriculum planner and much more. All students are urged to refer to this handbook continually throughout their education here, as it will be updated whenever necessary.
Student Resources
- Ferkauf Academic Calendar
- Ferkauf Academic Catalog (PDF)
- YU Student Standards and Policies
- Parnes Clinic Manual (PDF)
Student Groups
- Association of Neuropsychology Students in Training (ANST)
ANST Website - Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR)
PsySR (PDF) - The Organization of Psychology Students (OPS)
The Organization of Psychology Students (OPS) is the student organization of Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology.
Quick Links
Requirements
The 60-credit MA program offers theoretical and applied principles of psychological counseling.
Required Core Courses: 42 credits
- PSM 6515 Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan
- PSM 6405 Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling
- PSM 6120 Basic Principles of Counseling
- PSM 6815 Psychopathology: Child, Adolescent & Adult
- PSM 6461 Principles in Group Therapy
- PSM 6503 Lifestyle and Career Development
- PSM 6225 Appraisal of Individuals, Couples, Families & Groups
- PSM 6430 Statistics, Research and Program Evaluation
- PSM 6371 Ethics & Issues in Professional Practice (includes New York State required Syllabus on Identification and Reporting of Child Abuse and Maltreatment)
- PSM 6181 MHC: Multicultural and Diversity Issues
- PSM 6500 Advanced Issues in Mental Health Counseling
- PSM 6191 Concepts and Techniques in Mental Health Counseling (Clinical Instruction)
- PSM 6943 Supervised Field Placement I - 1.5 credits (includes group supervision requirement)
- PSM 6944 Supervised Field Placement II -1.5 credits (includes group supervision requirement)
- PSM 6946 Supervised Field Placement III - 1.5 credits (includes Proseminar on Professional Identity Development and Comprehensive Exam- Part I)
- PSM 6947 Supervised Field Placement IV - 1.5 credits (total supervised hours must meet minimum of 600 hours; Comprehensive Exam- Part II)
Other Required Courses: 12 credits
- PSM 6193 Counseling Skills Development
- PSM 6816 Advanced Issues in Psychopathology and Diagnosis
- PSM 6945 Counseling Practicum
- PSM 6483 Substance Abuse and Treatment
Elective and Specialized Courses: 6 credits
Choose a minimum of two from the following additional coursework acceptable upon approval of the program director.
- PSM 6100 Neuropsychology Basic Principles
- PSM 6622 Counseling in Public Settings
- PSM 6485 Crisis Counseling
- PSM 6170 Sexuality and Gender Counseling
- PSM 6510 Cognitive and Behavioral Therapy Principles for Counseling
- PSM 6194 Principles of Psychodynamic Psychotherapy for Counseling
- PSM 6440 Couples and Family Counseling
- PSM 6450 Counseling with Children and Adolescents
- PSM 6484 Grief, Loss and Bereavement Counseling
- PSM 6182 Attachment Across the Lifespan
- PSM 6195 The Resilient Counselor
- PSM 6230 CBT for Anxiety Disorders & OCD
- PSA 6601 History and Systems of Psychology
- PSH 6930 Physiological Psychology
- PSA 6071 Psychopharmacology
MHC Concentrations (optional): 9 credits
Must take three courses in an area of specialization and successfully complete field placement hours in the same specialized area.
Addictions Counseling
- Substance Abuse and Treatment
- Treatment and Recovery for Co-Occurring Disorders
- Practicum in Integrated Recovery and Treatment Evaluation Methodologies
Couples and Family Counseling
- Couples and Family Counseling
- Counseling with Children and Adolescents
- Practicum in Assessment, Intervention and Ethical Issues in Couples and Family Counseling
Multicultural Counseling
- Sexuality and Gender Counseling
- Diversity, Racism, Oppression and Privilege in Counseling
- Practicum in Multicultural Counseling in Community Agencies
Policy on Student Interpersonal and Emotional Functioning and Disclosure
Self-observation and self-reflection or mindfulness are core aspects in the training of all professional counselors. The mental health counseling faculty supports this view. Applicants to this program need to be aware that some classes and field placements may require disclosure of personal information in course or program-related activities either in writing or in class discussions.
Students are evaluated both academically and on their interpersonal and emotional functioning in their development as mental health counselors and their ability to acquire and integrate professional standards into their professional behavior and their work with clients.
For more information on the Ferkauf MA in Mental Health Counseling program, please read the MA FAQs guide (PDF). You can also contact either of the program directors.
Student Handbook: A Vital Resource
The MA in Mental Health Counseling Program Student Handbook (PDF) includes important information regarding academic outlines and requirements, policies and procedures, academic standards, curriculum planner and much more. All students are urged to refer to this handbook continually throughout their education here, as it will be updated whenever necessary.
Student Resources
- Ferkauf Academic Calendar
- Ferkauf Academic Catalog (PDF)
- YU Student Standards and Policies
- Parnes Clinic Manual (PDF)
Student Groups
- Association of Neuropsychology Students in Training (ANST)
ANST Website - Psychologists for Social Responsibility (PsySR)
PsySR (PDF) - The Organization of Psychology Students (OPS)
The Organization of Psychology Students (OPS) is the student organization of Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology.
