Graduate Catalog 2012-2013

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Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling

Program Coordinator: Professor Judith Kuppersmith

Building 4S, Room 106

Telephone: 718.982.4185 or 718.982.4186

Email: MHC@csi.cuny.edu

The Department of Psychology offers a 60 credit (2 1/2 year) program leading to the Master of Arts (MA) in Mental Health Counseling and is designed to fulfill the educational needs of those wishing to be licensed as Mental Health Counselors. The program is registered with New York State as a licensure qualifying program and is based on the model recommended by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Education Programs (CACREP). The program is competitive and only a small number of students are accepted to the program each fall. The curriculum is composed of 16 courses as well as one (1) practicum and three (3) internship courses (for a total of 700 hours of fieldwork experience). There is a weekly Pro-Seminar for first year students, and comprehensive examinations after the second year of classes. Through this demanding program of academic coursework and clinical internship training, students learn how to apply mental health approaches to contemporary practice, assessment, and treatment. Upon completion of the program students satisfy the educational requirements for licensure. After graduation and 3,000 hours of supervised experience under a limited-permit in an appropriate workplace setting applicants will be eligible to sit for a state exam in order to become a licensed mental health counselor. Under New York State Education Law Article 163, the practice of mental health counseling includes:

• the evaluation, assessment, amelioration, treatment, modification, or adjustment to a disability, problem, or disorder of behavior, character, development, emotion, personality or relationships by the use of verbal or behavioral methods with individuals, couples, families, groups, in private practice, or organized settings; and
• the use of assessment instruments and mental health counseling and psychotherapy to identify, evaluate and treat dysfunctions and disorders for purposes of providing appropriate mental health counseling services.

Mental Health Counseling Admission Requirements

Applicants to the program are expected to have the Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Science degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 undergraduate average, a minimum of 15-19 undergraduate credits in the following areas of psychology:

• General or Introductory
• Child or Adolescent or Developmental
• Psychopathology or Abnormal
• Personality Theory
• Methods in Psychology or Experimental Psychology and possibly Statistics for the Social Sciences.

Applicants must also submit a one- to two-page statement of intent detailing interest in the field, background information, academic and related experience, field placements, and the reasons that led the student to choose this field of study; and two letters of recommendation. At least one letter must be from a former professor . If invited, students participate in an on-site interview and complete a writing sample.

The priority deadline for receipt of applications for admission for the fall semester is March 10. Applications are accepted only for the fall term. There are no admissions for the spring term. The department admissions committee will give full consideration to applications received after these respective dates, space permitting.

Clinical Mental Health Counseling Degree Requirements

The curriculum is composed of 16 required courses as well as one practicum and three internship courses.

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