Counseling - Mental Health Counseling M.S.
Build the clinical skill and compassion to help people through their most difficult moments.
Manhattan University's Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling meets New York State's educational requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor. Learn from faculty who are practicing clinicians, complete supervised clinical training in some of the most diverse communities in the country, and graduate ready to provide direct counseling services across a wide range of settings.
This program is part of Social and Behavioral Sciences
The Manhattan Advantage
Why Study Mental Health Counseling at Manhattan University?
At Manhattan University, you prepare to become a licensed mental health counselor in a program built around clinical experience, expert mentorship, and genuine connection. Faculty who are practicing psychologists and counselors guide you as you accrue 700 hours of supervised, on-site counseling experience, develop a research-based study plan focused on the population you most want to serve, and build the assessment, treatment, and case-management skills the work demands. With small classes, a supportive cohort, and a location minutes from New York City's leading mental health hospitals, clinics, and agencies, you graduate ready to meet this moment with fortitude and compassion.
Curriculum & Courses
Explore coursework that builds the theory, clinical skills, and supervised experience you need to treat individuals, couples, and families through a systems-based lens. The 60-credit curriculum combines core courses with electives and a required practicum and internship sequence.
The courses listed below are a sample of what you will take with this program. To view the full plan of study, please visit Manhattan University's academic catalog.
- Physical and Psychopharmacological Aspects of Alcohol and Substance Abuse
- Methods of Educational and Psychological Research
- Marriage and Family Counseling
- Counseling Practices and Theories
- Life Span Development
- Career Development
- Foundations of Mental Health Counseling
- Psychopathology
- Measurement and Assessment for Counselors
- Approaches to Multicultural Counseling: Theory and Practice
- Leadership, Supervision and Consultation in Counseling
- Professional Orientation to Counseling: Standards, Law, Ethics, and Evaluation
- Internship MHC Counseling I & II
- Family Therapy & Family Law
- Crisis Intervention, Trauma Response, and Emergency Management
Why Study in New York City
New York City offers an unmatched setting for clinical counseling training. Manhattan University sits minutes from the city and close to Westchester County and Long Island, giving students access to some of the nation's top mental health hospitals, clinics, and agencies. As a graduate student in the program, you will complete 700 hours of supervised, on-site counseling experience in some of the most ethnically and economically diverse communities in the country, learning to serve clients across a wide range of backgrounds and needs. This real-world experience builds the clinical judgment, cultural competence, and professional network that prepare you to practice with confidence after graduation.
Meet the Faculty
The faculty in this program are more than professors; they are practitioners. Licensed psychologists and mental health counselors bring years of clinical experience into the classroom, accelerating your learning with the kind of real-world insight that only active practice provides. In small classes, they guide your academic, clinical, and professional growth from your first course through your final internship.
CAREER OUTCOMES
Where a Mental Health Counseling Degree Can Take You
Graduates of Manhattan University's Mental Health Counseling program build careers across clinics, hospitals, agencies, schools, and private practice, helping clients navigate mental, emotional, and behavioral challenges. Demand for these professionals is strong and growing.
- Career counselor
- Mental Health Counselor
- Rehabilitation Counselor
- Social and Community Service Manager
- Social Service Counselor
- Substance Abuse and Behavioral Disorder 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.
Program Costs & Financial Aid
Manhattan University is committed to making a high-quality, career-focused graduate education accessible and affordable. Graduate students may qualify for assistantships, scholarships, and federal aid that significantly reduce the overall cost of attendance.
- View Tuition & Fees
- View Graduate Assistantships
- Explore Scholarships Scholarships
- View Graduate Federal Aid and Grants
A Manhattan University education is an investment in your future, and we are dedicated to helping you access the resources that make it possible.
Admissions Information for Manhattan University
Start Your Journey in Mental Health Counseling
Applying to Manhattan University is simple and straightforward. Review the requirements below to take the next step toward advancing your career.
Requirements:
- Bachelor's degree in engineering from a program accredited by the Engineering Accreditation Commission of ABET (or recognized equivalent)
- Minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale
- Undergraduate degree normally in the same discipline; applicants from other engineering disciplines may be required to complete prerequisite coursework
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
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.