- Alfred University: M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
- Brooklyn College, City University of New York: M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
- Canisius College: M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S. in School Counseling
- Hofstra University: M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling M.S.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling
- Hunter College: M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
Consider a Featured Online Counseling Program
| School and Program Information | Online Program? Entry Requirements |
Course Information |
|---|---|---|
| Syracuse University
Master of Social Work
CSWE accredited |
✔ Online
No GRE Required |
Syracuse University’s CSWE-accredited online Master of Social Work program is preparing the next generation of social work leaders through an emphasis on digital innovation and social justice. Learn More |
| Grand Canyon University
Bachelor's Degree in Counseling
HLC Accredited |
✔ 100% Online
Affordable with No Out of State Tuition |
Programs include BS in Counseling with an Emphasis in Addiction, Chemical Dependency, and Substance Abuse; BS in Psychology; and BS in Behavioral Health Science. Learn More |
| Grand Canyon University
Master's Degree in Counseling
HLC and NASAC Accredited |
✔ 100% Online
Over 14 Specializations Available |
Affordable with No Out of State Tuition Learn More |
| Northwestern University
Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
COAMFTE Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
The COAMFTE-accredited [email protected] is offered by The Family Institute at Northwestern University. Full-time students can complete the program in as few as 21 months. No GRE is required, but applicants must hold an undergraduate degree. Full and part-time tracks available. Learn More |
| Capella University
Master's and PhD in Counseling
 CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required |
Choose from Addictions, Clinical Mental Health Counseling, Human Behavior. Marriage and Family Therapy, or School Counseling specialties Learn More |
| Fordham University
Master of Social Work
Accredited by the CSWE. |
✔ Online
Bachelor's Degree |
Fordham’s top-ranked Graduate School of Social Service offers a future-focused online MSW program, preparing students for integrated practice with all populations. Bachelor's degree required. Learn More |
| Northwestern University
Online MA in Counseling
CACREP Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE Not Required Bachelor's Required |
Prepare to pursue licensure in as few as 18 months Learn MoreFull-time, part-time, and accelerated track options available |
| Pepperdine University
Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees
LPC/MFT emphases available. |
✔ Online
No GRE Required. Bachelor's Degree Required. |
Choose your path at Pepperdine: pursue licensure as either an LMFT or LPC and serve diverse clients with our online master’s in clinical psychology. GRE scores are not required to apply, and you can earn your degree in as few as 27 months. Take the next step toward creating a positive social impact today. Learn More |
| NYU Steinhardt
Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
 MPCAC Accredited |
✔ Online
GRE not required; Bachelor’s degree and minimum 2.5 GPA required |
As few as 21 months to complete Learn More |
*Sponsored Counseling Programs
Online CACREP Master of Counseling Programs in New York
Students who aspire to become licensed and help people work through difficult life issues are required to have a license to practice counseling from their state. The state of New York requires that you graduate from a program that has been reviewed and accredited by CACREP, making this agency extremely important for your progression in this field.
CACREP essentially is the gatekeeper for licensing in this state, making accreditation by CACREP essential for the degree program you choose. While you sort through potential online Master of Counseling programs in your state, be sure to identify the accreditation status of your individual program before making your final decision.
St. Bonaventure University: Multiple Online Counseling Programs
If you are a New York resident who is seeking a reliable and well-known online Master of Counseling degree program, you should take a look at the online offerings of St. Bonaventure University. This school has successfully achieved current accreditation for online Master of Counseling programs in both School Counseling and Clinical Mental Health Counseling.
The university’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling specialization helps students focus on proactive communication skills, competencies related to culture and diversity, and critical thinking that can assist them with actively solving complex problems on a daily basis. The School Counseling specialization includes a look into the educational regulations and expectations of professional counselors, as well as techniques that can be used with individuals and large groups in an educational setting. Depending on your enrollment status, each of these programs could have completion times ranging from two to five years.
If you are interested in learning more about where to find these programs, you might be intrigued to discover that the most popular city for accredited online counseling programs is Allegany, New York. Within this city, St. Bonaventure University provides counseling programs that can assist you with meeting your goals as a mental health specialist. Offering programs in both School and Clinical Mental Health Counseling, this university is designed to meet the needs of future counselors with different paths in mind.
Snapshot: Online CACREP Accredited Programs
Online CACREP Accredited programs | Online MPCAC Accredited programs
Syracuse University - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)
Grand Canyon University - Bachelor's Degree in Counseling (HLC Accredited)
Grand Canyon University - Master's Degree in Counseling (NASAC Accredited)
Northwestern University - Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy (COAMFTE Accredited)
Capella University - Master's and PhD in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Fordham University - Master of Social Work (CSWE Accredited)
Northwestern University - Online MA in Counseling (CACREP Accredited)
Pepperdine University - Master of Arts in Clinical Psychology Degrees
NYU Steinhardt - Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness (MPCAC Accredited)
Typical Counseling Courses/Areas of Study
New York State wants any prospective counselor to demonstrate they have an excellent understanding of the following areas, and that their master’s or doctorate degree satisfied the following areas of study:
- Human growth and development
- Social and cultural foundations of counseling
- Counseling theory and practice
- Psychopathology
- Group dynamics
- Lifestyle and career development
- Assessment and appraisal of individuals, couples, families and groups
- Research and program evaluation
- Professional orientation and ethics
- Foundations of Mental Health Counseling and consultation
- Clinical instruction
Mental Health Counseling Programs in NYC
There are a number of opportunities to enroll in online mental health counseling programs in NYC and beyond. A couple of the top options include:
- St. Bonaventure University – School Counseling: With a completion time of around 30 months for most students, St. Bonaventure University offers a competitive online School Counseling program for interested students. This program requires no GRE or GMAT for admission, which adds to its attractiveness for those coming from rigorous bachelor’s programs. While this program does require master’s learners to engage in an in-person work experience, a majority of the coursework for this program is completed in an online setting.
- St. Bonaventure University – Clinical Mental Health Counseling: St. Bonaventure University also offers students the option of pursuing an online Master of Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Students can complete this program in as little as 36 months, which is great for students looking for flexibility. This program requires that students take one course at a time and does not require a GRE or GMAT for admission.
Counseling Organizations to Know in New York
New York has the benefit of being one of the most populated states in the country, with a large city such as New York City leading the way. As a result, there are a large quantity of different counseling organizations and associations that can provide you with guidance and resources.
Here are a few professional counseling organizations, along with a description of what each does and why it is important to those considering a degree or a career in counseling in New York.
- American Counseling Association of New York (ACA-NY) – not-for-profit organization that represents professional counselors and counseling students of all specialty areas who live or work in the state of New York
- New York Mental Health Counselors Association (NYMHCA) – the advocacy organization representing the clinical counselors of New York, it represents and advocates for counselors of all types
- New York State School Counselor Association (NYSSCA) – advocacy board committed to advocating for school counselors and their roles within education and the profession throughout New York
- New York State Education Department (NYSED) – responsible for mental health counseling license requirements
New York LPC Requirements
There are several specific guidelines for New Yorkers who wish to become licensed professional counselors, or LPCs. The New York LPC requirements include:
- Having good moral character
- Being 21 years of age or older
- Meeting the specific counseling education requirements (more below)
- Meeting the determined counselor experience requirements
- Passing the appropriate exams
- Completing coursework or training in the identification and reporting of child abuse offered by a New York State approved provider
Education Requirements to be Licensed
To meet the professional education requirements for licensure, you will need to have earned a master’s or doctorate in counseling. Also, New York requires you provide evidence that your degree is:
- Registered by the Department or Education as ‘licensure qualifying’
- Accredited as a mental health counseling program of 60 semester hours by CACREP or another acceptable accrediting agency; or determined by the Department to be the substantial equivalent of such a registered or accredited program
When considering any counseling degree program at any level, keep the above requirements in mind. These are typically the classes you will take, especially in a graduate program. However, you can be proactive when taking undergraduate classes, and tailor your degree (whether it is in counseling or not) to the above areas that the NY counseling board is looking for.
You can view the NYSED website for more information on the experience requirements to become a licensed mental health counselor in New York.
Counselor Salary in NYC
School counselors earn on average $69,760 per year while working in New York. This state has one of the densest ratios of counselors to patients in the country, indicating the use of counseling services is high throughout the state.
As for the annual median counselor salary in NYC, the compensation source PayScale provides an estimate of $50,729.
Typical Workplace Settings for Counselors
- Hospitals: Counselors can work with clients who are currently hospitalized, struggling with illnesses.
- Schools: Counselors can also work in schools, counseling students on their career ambitions.
- Mental health facilities: Mental health counseling is popular in the state, which provides counseling to those suffering from existing mental illnesses.
Individuals who are exploring this field as a career option should be passionate about assisting clients with getting beyond issues and helping them live happier, fuller lives.
There is no substitute for a good counselor when clients are in need of care. That is why the state of New York has worked hard to provide excellent resources and information for those interested in the field.
If you are looking for Marriage and Family Therapy programs, review our guide on MFT programs in New York.
Sources:
New York State Education Department, Mental Health Counseling License Requirements
PayScale, Licensed Mental Health Counselor Salary in New York, New York
United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, School and Career Counselors and Advisors
New York Counseling Licensure: New York Counseling Licensing Boards
New York Counseling Licensure
State Board for Mental Health Practitioners
89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234-1000
518/474-3817, x450
[email protected]
http://www.op.nysed.gov/prof/mhp/mhclic.htm
Licensure: Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC)
School Counseling Licensure
State Education Department
Office of Teaching Initiatives Certification
Education Building, 5N89 Washington Avenue
Albany, NY 12234
(518) 474-3901(800) 855-2880 TTY
www.highered.nysed.gov/tcert
School Counselor [PreK-12]
Earning a Master’s in Counseling NYC
Those interested in working in social services or mental health facilities can do so with as little as an undergraduate degree. However, the state of New York requires professional counselors to have a graduate degree in some field of counseling. They must also have work experience under the supervision of a licensed counselor, and pass a board exam in counseling before administering therapy to the public.
There are a number of programs in which you can earn a master’s in counseling in NYC and beyond.
Master’s in Counseling in New York: A Summary
60+ different counseling degrees in New York (10+ undergraduate, 30+ master's, several doctoral)
29 CACREP-accredited counseling programs in New York
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics ( BLS): average mean salary for New York professional counselors is around $61,480 annually
In the field of counseling, graduating with a degree is only part of the path toward starting a career. The NYS Office of the Professions currently oversees licensure for those interested in pursuing a career as a counselor, so it is important to stay up to date with what this agency requires.
Most states require that students successfully complete a CACREP-accredited master's in counseling program and gain around two years of supervised clinical experience. Take a look at the online and accredited degree programs offered in your state, including opportunities to earn a master’s in counseling in New York.
If you are looking for Marriage and Family Therapy programs, go to our guide on MFT programs in New York.Popular Online Counseling Programs
Syracuse University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Grand Canyon University 🗹 Online
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Capella University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters 🗗 Doctorate
Fordham University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Northwestern University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
Pepperdine University 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
NYU Steinhardt 🗹 Online 🗗 Masters
University of West Alabama 🗹 Online 🗖 Bachelors 🗗 Masters
Schools With Campus-Based CACREP Accredited New York Counseling Degrees
CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling & Related Educational Programs) is the top accrediting board for counseling programs. Below, you will find a list of all of the CACREP accredited counseling programs in New York. Keep scrolling or jump to all programs for all programs or view online CACREP accredited counseling programs.
Alfred University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2013 to 3/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2013 to 3/31/2023
Brooklyn College, City University of New York
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/13/2009 to 10/31/2021
Canisius College
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/15/2012 to 3/31/2025
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/10/2007 to 3/31/2025
Hofstra University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/9/2014 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/14/2014 to 10/31/2023
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2023
Hunter College
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year (Interim Report Required)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/13/2016 to 3/14/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/13/2009 to 10/31/2021
Lehman College, City University of New York
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/18/2007 to 3/31/2021
Long Island University Post/Brentwood
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/1/2003 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/1/2003 to 10/31/2020
Medaille College
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/9/2015 to 10/31/2019
Molloy College
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/13/2018 to 10/31/2021
New York Institute of Technology
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/11/2012 to 3/31/2022
Niagara University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/7/2015 to 10/31/2024
Pace University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/14/2017 to 10/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/14/2017 to 10/31/2021
St. Bonaventure University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/5/2015 to 3/31/2021
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 2 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/16/2007 to 3/31/2021
St. John Fisher College
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/18/2006 to 3/31/2024
St. John's University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/1/2002 to 2/28/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/12/2012 to 2/28/2020
St. John’s University
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 4/1/2001 to 3/31/2027
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/12/2011 to 3/31/2027
State University of New York at Buffalo
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/1/2017 to 10/31/2020
State University of New York at Oswego
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/5/2015 to 3/31/2025
State University of New York College at Plattsburgh
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/18/2006 to 10/31/2020
The College at Brockport, State University of New York
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 7/10/2007 to 10/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/1/1985 to 10/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 10/1/1985 to 10/31/2024
The University at Brockport, State University of New York
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/10/2009 to 10/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 4/1/1987 to 10/31/2024
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 4/1/1987 to 10/31/2024
University of Rochester
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/2001 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 1/19/2006 to 10/31/2020
- CACREP Status: Accredited, 8 Year (Re-Accreditation In-Process)
- CACREP Accreditation Runs: 9/1/2001 to 10/31/2020
All Accredited Schools with Counseling Degrees in New York
View all programs in New York below, or jump to all New York CACREP accredited counseling programs.Adirondack Community College Queensbury
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Alfred University Alfred
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Brooklyn College, City University of New York Brooklyn
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Canisius College Buffalo
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
Columbia University in the City of New York New York
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
Corning Community College Corning
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
CUNY Kingsborough Community College Brooklyn
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Erie Community College Buffalo
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Finger Lakes Community College Canandaigua
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Genesee Community College Batavia
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Hofstra University Hempstead
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in Rehabilitation Counseling
Hudson Valley Community College Troy
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Hunter College New York
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling and Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Jefferson Community College Watertown
- Associates - Mental Health Counseling
Lehman College, City University of New York Bronx
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Long Island University Post/Brentwood Brookville
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
Medaille College Buffalo
- M.A. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Mohawk Valley Community College Utica
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Molloy College Rockville Centre
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Monroe Community College Rochester
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
New York Institute of Technology Old Westbury
- M.S. in School Counseling
Niagara University Niagara University
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
North Country Community College Saranac Lake
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Pace University Pleasantville
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
Pace University-New York New York
- Doctorate - Mental Health Counseling
Schenectady County Community College Schenectady
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
St. Bonaventure University St. Bonaventure
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
St. John Fisher College Rochester
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
St. John's University New York City
- M.S. in School Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
St. John’s University Queens
- M.S. in School Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
State University of New York at Buffalo Buffalo
- M.S. in Rehabilitation Counseling
State University of New York at Oswego Oswego
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
State University of New York College at Plattsburgh Plattsburgh
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Suffolk County Community College Selden
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
SUNY at Albany Albany
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
SUNY Broome Community College Binghamton
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
SUNY Westchester Community College Valhalla
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
Teachers College at Columbia University New York
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
The College at Brockport, State University of New York Brockport
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in Student Affairs and College Counseling
The University at Brockport, State University of New York Brockport
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in School Counseling
- M.S.Ed. in Student Affairs and College Counseling
Tompkins Cortland Community College Dryden
- Associates - Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling
University at Buffalo Buffalo
- Doctorate - Counseling Psychology
- Doctorate - School Counseling
University of Rochester Rochester
- Ed.D./Ph.D. in Counselor Education and Supervision
- M.S. in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
- M.S. in School Counseling
Yeshiva University New York
- Doctorate - Clinical Counseling
