---
title: "Counseling - Mental Health Counseling M.S."
url: "/academics/programs/mental-health-counseling-ms"
type: program
date: 2026-06-09
updated: 2026-08-31
---
# Counseling - Mental Health Counseling M.S.
# 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.
[ Request Information ](/graduate/admissions/request-information)
[ Visit Manhattan University ](/admissions/visit) [ Explore Kakos School of Arts and Sciences ](/academics/kakos)
Credit Hours60
Time to Complete2.5 - 3 Years
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This program is part of [Social and Behavioral Sciences](/academics/kakos/departments/social-behavioral)
What Set's Us Apart The Manhattan University Difference
## What Sets Us Apart
Manhattan University's Mental Health Counseling program combines rigorous clinical training with the personal attention of a small graduate cohort. You will learn from faculty who practice in the field, gain supervised experience across New York City's diverse communities, and build a clear path toward state licensure, all on a schedule designed to fit your life.
Path to NYS Licensure
Meet New York State's educational requirements toward licensure as a mental health counselor in clinical practice.
Supervised Clinical Hours
Complete 700 hours of supervised, on-site counseling experience in clinics, hospitals, and agencies across the region.
Faculty Who Practice
Learn from licensed psychologists and mental health counselors who bring active clinical experience into the classroom.
A Schedule That Fits
Choose from afternoon, evening, and online courses, with summer sessions that help you finish your degree faster.
A Diverse Cohort
Join a small, culturally varied cohort drawn largely from the New York City area, enriching every discussion.
Broad Clinical Scope
Train to assess and treat conditions from anxiety and depression to substance use, eating, and personality disorders.
Why Study Mental Health Counseling Image
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.
[ Explore Graduate Programs ](/graduate/academics)
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Curriculum & Courses
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## 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.
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## Mental Health Counseling: Skills That Change Lives.
At Manhattan University, you graduate ready to assess, treat, and support clients across the full range of clinical settings. The program builds the practical competencies that define effective, ethical mental health counselors.
Assessment and Diagnosis
Use clinical assessment instruments and current diagnostic tools to evaluate clients and inform sound treatment decisions.
Treatment Planning
Develop and manage treatment plans and case strategies that guide clients from intake through discharge and aftercare.
Counseling and Psychotherapy
Apply evidence-based counseling and psychotherapy techniques to build therapeutic rapport and support lasting change.
A Focused Study Plan
Build a research-based study plan around a chosen population, tailoring your training to the clients you most want to serve.
Practice in Many Settings
Prepare to work in mental health centers, hospitals, residential facilities, agencies, and private practice.
Ethics and Professional Standards
Ground your practice in the law, ethics, and professional standards that protect clients and define the counseling field.
## 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.
[Meet The Faculty](/academics/kakos/departments/social-behavioral/faculty "Faculty | Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences")
Careers & Outcomes
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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.
[ Explore Kakos School of Arts and Sciences ](/academics/kakos)
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Program Costs & Aid ## 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**](/graduate/tuition-fees "Tuition & Fees | Graduate")
- [**View Graduate Assistantships**](/admissions/financial-aid/student-employment/graduate-lab-assistantships "Graduate and Lab Assistantships | Financial Aid")
- [**Explore Scholarships Scholarships**](/admissions/financial-aid/loans-grants/scholarships-and-grants "Aid, Scholarships and Grants")
- [**View Graduate Federal Aid and Grants**](/graduate/financial-aid "Grants and Loans | Graduate")
A Manhattan University education is an investment in your future, and we are dedicated to helping you access the resources that make it possible.
[Learn More About Graduate Costs and Financial Aid](/graduate "Graduate Education")
Admission Information ## Admissions Information
**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:**
- Applicants for master's programs must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or institution.
- Normally, an undergraduate GPA of 3.00 on a 4.00 scale is required, although other factors may be considered in the admission decision.
- Ideally, applicants should have suitable preparation in the behavioral sciences. Consideration will be given for teaching experience and for other applicable experience. Applicants who possess a bachelor's degree but lack relevant background experience may be required to take prerequisite courses for admission.
- Other factors will be considered for admission, such as years of professional experience, a high average in your major field, scores on required standardized tests, or academic development beyond the baccalaureate degree.
[Learn More about Graduate Admissions](/graduate "Graduate Education")
[Learn More about International Graduate Admissions](/graduate/admissions/graduate-requirements "Graduate Student Requirements")
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## 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.
[Visit Manhattan University](/admissions/visit)
[Apply Today](/admissions/apply)
[Request Information](/admissions/request-information)
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