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 two online counseling master’s programs through Counseling@NYU: one in school counseling and one in mental health counseling. These programs are both accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) and equip 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 both the master’s in school counseling and the master’s in mental health counseling.

Jump to:

School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling

Admissions

Careers

Online Master’s in School Counseling

The online master’s in School Counseling program prepares you to guide pre-K–12 students toward success by becoming a school counselor. After graduating, you will be able to:

  • Create school programming that promotes the wellbeing of students, families, and communities.
  • Facilitate the social, cultural, and academic development of pre-K–12 students.
  • Develop approaches that foster cultural inclusiveness.
  • Use relationship-building skills to help close achievement and opportunity gaps.

The master’s in school counseling offers an optional concentration in bilingual school counseling, in which you will focus on bilingual and multicultural theory and learn how to approach challenges facing students who speak English as a second language. Ask an admissions counselor about the School Counseling or Bilingual School Counseling Dual Degree option.

Learn more about the school counseling curriculum.

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.

Join Our Next Cohort of Aspiring Counselors

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

Request Information

Jump to:

School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling

Admissions

Careers

Admissions Deadlines and Requirements

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

GRE scores are not required for admission.

Review the application requirements and upcoming cohort deadlines.

The master’s in school counseling and master’s in mental health counseling programs are 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.

Request Information

Jump to:

School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling

Admissions

Careers

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 school counselor or 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 school counselor or 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.

Note: School Counseling students will be placed in two different sites simultaneously to comply with K-8 and 9-12 requirements.

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.

Request Information

Jump to:

School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling

Admissions

Careers

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 School Counseling

Upon passing a licensure exam and meeting additional state-specific requirements, as needed, graduates of the school counseling master’s program are prepared for positions in elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools. School counselors may also pursue leadership positions that enable them to oversee programming and resources within a school district.

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 both pre-K–12 school counselors and mental health counselors is expected to grow, with the demand for school counselors projected to rise 8 percent between 2018 and 20281 and the demand for mental health counselors to rise 22 percent.2

Opportunities in LA, DC, and Other Major Cities

Learn more about professional counselor career opportunities in cities across the country: Los Angeles; Washington, DC; Chicago; San Francisco; Orlando; Houston; Seattle; Raleigh-Durham; Buffalo; and Phoenix.

Read about opportunities for counselors in each selected area.

8%

increase

school counselors

22%

increase

mental health counselors

Jump to:

School Counseling and Mental Health Counseling

Admissions

Careers

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.

Request Information

1 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, School and Career Counselors (accessed September 13, 2019)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference

2 Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Substance Abuse, Behavioral Disorder, and Mental Health Counselors (accessed September 13, 2019)arrow_upwardReturn to footnote reference