NYU Steinhardt MA in Mental Health Counseling | OnlineNYU Steinhardt MA in Mental Health Counseling | OnlineNYU Steinhardt MA in Mental Health Counseling | Online

NYU Steinhardt’s online master of arts in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness program prepares aspiring mental health counselors to pursue licensure in a variety of professional settings.NYU Steinhardt’s online master of arts in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness program prepares aspiring mental health counselors to pursue licensure in a variety of professional settings.NYU Steinhardt’s online master of arts in Mental Health Counseling and Wellness program prepares aspiring mental health counselors to pursue licensure in a variety of professional settings.

  • 21-Month Completion — Depending on your start date, you could earn your mental health counseling master’s online in as few as seven terms.
  • Real-World Training — Help a wide range of real clients during a practicum and internship at NYU-approved sites near your community.
  • No GRE Required — NYU Steinhardt values compassionate professionals ready to change lives through the lens of social justice and equity.

NYU Steinhardt offers an online mental health counseling master’s program through Counseling@NYU. The program is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) and equips you with the skills and field training to pursue certification as a counselor in your community.

Full-time and part-time study options are available for the master’s in mental health counseling.

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Online Master’s in Mental Health Counseling

The online master’s in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program prepares you to become a counselor who works with culturally diverse populations across the life span. After graduating, you will be able to:

  • Help clients of all ages and backgrounds craft lives of health, wellness, and meaning.
  • Apply critical counseling skills, including case conceptualization, practice, and advocacy.
  • Conduct assessments and interventions with children, adolescents, and adults.

The master’s in mental health counseling allows you to tailor your program by choosing from a variety of elective courses on topics like cognitive behavioral therapy, substance-related disorders, marriage and family counseling, adolescent sexual decision-making, responses to trauma, and immigrant-origin youth.

Learn more about the mental health counseling curriculum.

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Take the next step toward serving your community as a mental health counselor.

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Admissions Deadlines and Requirements

Counseling@NYU admits students on a rolling basis, and we are currently accepting applications for our mental health counseling program.

GRE scores are not required for admission.

Review the application requirements and upcoming cohort deadlines.

The master’s in mental health counseling program is designed to help you promote social justice in your community by helping people of all backgrounds realize and reach their potential.

A Curriculum That Empowers You to Empower Others

Through courses that develop your expertise in areas such as counseling theory and practice, cross-cultural counseling, and research methods, you will:

  • Use evidence-based and data-informed practices.
  • Prepare for real-world practice with a wide range of populations.
  • Strengthen your commitment to cultural inclusion, diversity, and innovation.

Explore the course catalog for Counseling@NYU.

Taught by Award-Winning Practitioners

The counseling master’s programs are led by faculty members who hold professional licenses, have served on editorial review boards, and have received numerous awards and honors, such as the Outstanding Contribution Award in The Counseling Psychologist External link  from the Society of Counseling Psychology.

Our faculty support your development as a counselor by applying real-world experiences and case examples in the online classroom and in-person field training.

They are experienced, active practitioners and researchers with clinical expertise in areas such as trauma counseling, LGBTQ+ counseling, stress management, strategic career planning, cognitive rehabilitation, bilingual education, cross-cultural diversity, and career and college readiness.

Start Collaborating with Experienced Faculty

Join the dedicated, compassionate community that defines NYU Steinhardt. Learn more about our online counseling master’s programs.

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Online and In-Person Training for the Master’s in Counseling

Counseling@NYU provides an intimate and collaborative learning experience that prepares you for a successful counseling career.

Our three-pronged approach to counselor education includes live class sessions, an on-campus immersion, and in-person field practicums to help you build relationships with peers and faculty.

Live Classes and Course Content

In real-time, discussion-based classes, you will learn key concepts and form relationships with professors and fellow students who share your passion for changing lives.

Self-paced course content on the interactive virtual campus informs class discussion on topics such as cognitive behavior therapy, behavioral research methods, and counseling ethics.

You can also meet with your professor one-on-one during live office hours.

On-Campus Immersion

As a student in the online counseling master’s program, you will attend an immersion experience on the NYU campus in New York City, where you will engage in experiential activities focused on learning the group therapy process.

During the immersion, you will deepen your connections with faculty and peers, become better acquainted with the NYU Steinhardt community, and practice the counseling skills you have developed in class.

Extensive Field Training

You will receive the real-world training and field preparation to succeed as a mental health counselor through the following experiences:

Online counseling lab

Role-play various counseling scenarios with a classmate to prepare for your work with real clients or students.

Practicum

Complete 100 hours under the direct supervision of a licensed mental health counselor. You will complete 40 hours of direct practice.

Internships

Complete three internships at 200 hours each at the same site under the direct supervision of a counselor. Each internship requires 80 hours of direct practice.

You will work with a dedicated placement team to secure an appropriate field placement within a 75-mile radius of your preferred address. Counseling@NYU welcomes your insight and suggestions so that placements are relevant and appropriate to your interests and the needs of your community.

Learn more about field training for the online counseling master’s program.

Take the Next Step toward Change

Start making a greater impact on your community. Pursue your counseling master’s online from NYU Steinhardt.

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Counseling Career Preparation

In the Counseling@NYU program, you will develop as a counselor in stages: beginning with classroom learning, progressing to practicing in secure virtual settings, and ultimately helping real clients in practicums and internships.

Online and on-campus students have access to the resources and services provided by the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development, which includes one-on-one coaching, webinars, virtual career fairs, and access to staff who can help guide you toward internships and counseling careers.

Once you graduate, you will be prepared to pursue counselor licensure and employment in settings nationwide.

Careers in Mental Health Counseling

Graduates of the mental health counseling master’s program may serve as counselors in public and private agencies, community mental health programs, university counseling centers, hospitals, outreach programs, substance use treatment centers, outpatient care centers, and family service centers.

Counseling Career Outlook

The US job market for mental health counselors is expected to grow, with the demand for mental health counselors projected to rise 19 percent between 2023 and 20331.

Our online counseling master’s program features the same curricula as the on-campus programs and are taught by our distinguished faculty in applied psychology. Make a difference in the lives of people in your own community by earning a master’s in counseling online from NYU Steinhardt.

22%

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mental health counselors

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Mental Health Counseling

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About NYU Steinhardt and the Department of Applied Psychology

The NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in fields ranging from applied psychology to education, the arts, and media. NYU Steinhardt is dedicated to educating people from all backgrounds for social change, inspiring the pursuit of knowledge, creativity, and innovation.

The Department of Applied Psychology prepares you to work effectively with people across a wide range of contexts and cultures. After graduating, you will be able to employ psychological theory and research in the school, home, classroom, community, and other real-world settings.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

Our online counseling master’s programs feature the same curricula as the on-campus programs and are taught by our distinguished faculty in applied psychology. Make a difference in the lives of people in your own community by earning a master’s in counseling online from NYU Steinhardt.

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  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors  (accessed November 1, 2024) ↩︎