Mental Health Counseling

Designed to meet the changing needs of health care and social services, the 60-credit Mental Health Counseling program (MA) at Ferkauf Graduate School of Psychology offers theoretical and applied principles of psychological counseling. Courses are taught by faculty who are recognized experts in their fields.

When New York State revised its scope of practice law several years ago, Ferkauf was the first school in New York City—and one of the first in the state—to take advantage of the new legislation to offer the MA in mental health counseling. The quality and number of applicants to the program have steadily increased, and we are constantly strengthening our course offerings, clinical training and faculty, as well as helping our students to make the all-important transition from training to practice.

As a student in this program, you will be required to complete a minimum of 600 hours in supervised field placement before graduation. The program's field placement options span the New York metropolitan area, and many of our long-established community mental health centers, hospitals and agency affiliates are willing to accept our students as externs to fulfill this requirement. We maintain an active directory of field placements (PDF) that is frequently updated. Studying in one of the most diverse cities in the world affords you the opportunity to work with many different communities, and you will have several choices for field-study placements in appropriate agency or hospital settings.

Required Core Courses: 39 credits

• PSM 6515 Developmental Psychology Across the Lifespan
• PSA 6405 Social Psychology
• 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 6400 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 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 - Proseminar 1.5 credit (includes group supervision requirement)
• PSM 6944 Supervised Field Placement II -Proseminar 1.5 credits (includes group supervision requirement)
• PSM 6945 Supervised Field Placement III - Proseminar 1.5 credit (includes group supervision requirement and Proseminar on Professional Identity Development; Comprehensive Exam-Part I—Demonstrate competency—Audiotape presentation)
• PSM 6946 Supervised Field Placement IV -Proseminar 1.5 credits (total supervised hours must meet minimum of 600 hours; Comprehensive Exam- Part II—Demonstrate competency—Videotape presentation)

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 (graduates qualify for 5-credit CAC certification)

Elective and Specialized Courses: 9 credits

Choose a minimum of three from the following additional coursework acceptable upon approval of the program director.

• PSM 6012 Neuropsyhology 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 6183 The Resilient Counselor
• PSA 6601 History and Systems of Psychology
• PSH 6930 Physiological Psychology
• PSA 6071 Psychopharmacology

1. Ferkauf accepts applications from students of various academic backgrounds; however, undergraduate (bachelor's) degrees must reflect a balanced curriculum including liberal arts and science components.
2. All applicants are required to take the General Graduate Record Examination (GRE). Please visit the Electronic Testing Services (ETS) Web site for testing locations and dates in your area, www.ets.org. The Institution Code for the General and Subject GREs is 2995.
3. The GRE Psychology Subject Test is a recommendation for applicants (especially those who are applying to the Combined School Clinical Child Psychology, PsyD Program) who will be earning or have earned a bachelor's and/or master's degree in psychology but is not a requirement. Applicants will not be penalized if they choose not to take this exam.
4. If you are an international student and English is not your primary language, we recommend that you take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). The Institution Code for the TOEFL is 2883. Please send two copies of your TOEFL score record.