Mental Health Counseling - Advanced Certificate
Bridge language and cultural barriers for the students who need your support most.
School counselors are a vital part of the educational leadership team, helping students build the academic and social skills they need to thrive from elementary school through college and beyond. Designed for counselors who have already earned a master's degree, this advanced certificate prepares you for New York State certification and the work of supporting the next generation of students.
This program is part of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Manhattan Advantage
What You Will Learn
You will learn to use assessment instruments, conduct clinical evaluations, and design treatment plans and case management, as well as prevention, discharge, and aftercare services. Building on your master 's-level training, you will study effective methods for treating conditions such as depression, anxiety, substance use, and personality and adjustment disorders, and learn to help clients develop strategies for parenting and career skills, family and relationship challenges, and the prevention of substance abuse. Through a supervised practicum and a two-semester internship, you will apply these skills directly in clinical settings, preparing you to deliver counseling services across medical, mental health, and independent practice environments.
Why Study in New York City
New York City offers an unmatched setting for training as a mental health counselor, with a dense network of outpatient centers, hospitals, residential facilities, and community agencies that serve clients from all backgrounds. Located in the Riverdale neighborhood of the Bronx, near Manhattan and lower Westchester, our campus places you within reach of the practicum and internship sites where you will apply your clinical skills directly. Working alongside licensed practitioners across the city's diverse communities, you will gain the supervised clinical experience that prepares you for licensure and for a career delivering direct counseling services in a wide range of settings.
What Will You Do
Potential Career Opportunities
The Mental Health Counseling program prepares graduates to provide direct clinical and counseling services across medical, research, mental health, and independent practice settings. Graduates are equipped to assess, treat, and support individuals facing a wide range of mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges.
- Career counselor
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Social Service Counselor
About
The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences
The Kakos School of Arts and Sciences is the largest of Manhattan University's three schools, offering 33 undergraduate majors, six graduate programs, and six combined degrees across the humanities, natural and social sciences, and professional fields. Grounded in the University's Lasallian Catholic mission and located near the heart of New York City, the School pairs rigorous academics with small classes, close faculty mentorship, and real-world experience throughout the five boroughs and beyond. With strong pre-law and pre-health advising and a focus on ethical, engaged scholarship, Kakos graduates leave prepared to lead, and the University ranks in the top 3% nationally for salary impact (Wall Street Journal, 2026), evidence of where that preparation leads.
Application Requirements
- Applicants for master's programs must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or institution.
- Applicants for advanced certificates must hold a bachelor's and a master's degree, both from accredited institutions.
- An undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required, although other factors may be considered in the admission decision.
- Graduate applications are submitted through a centralized application service (CAS) platform. You will need to create a user account to track your application submission.
Required Documents
- Apply Online to Manhattan University
- Undergraduate Transcript(s) – Unofficial transcripts can be used in order to make an admissions decision. Official college transcripts are required prior to enrollment.
- Personal Statement - Applicants are required to submit a statement that reflects their program interest and personal and professional goals.
- At least one letter of recommendation from a professional reference.
- Current Resume
- $75 Application Fee
Required Documents
International Students
Transcripts
- All international applicants who were educated outside of the United States for their undergraduate and/or graduate degree must provide a course-by-course evaluation report (which should be inclusive of your official transcripts) provided by one of the agencies listed on the NACES website.
English Language Requirement
Non-native English speakers are required to demonstrate their English proficiency. This can be done in three ways:
- TOEFL iBT (minimum overall score - 4)
- CEFR-Common European Framework of Reference (minimum overall score - B2)
- IELTS (minimum overall score - 6.5)
- Duolingo (minimum overall score - 110 out of 160)
If the primary language of your university or college program was English, you may qualify for a waiver.
Prepare for the Real World
At Manhattan University, your education is built around who you are and where you want to go. Whether you’re ready to apply or just starting to explore, take the next step when you’re ready — we’re here to help.