New York is home to more CACREP-accredited counseling programs than nearly any other state — and for students pursuing licensure as a mental health counselor in New York, that accreditation carries specific weight. This guide covers what CACREP means for New York licensure, how the state’s credential differs from what you’ll find elsewhere, and a full listing of accredited programs organized by region.
Why CACREP Accreditation Matters in New York
New York requires LMHC applicants to hold a master’s or doctoral degree in mental health counseling of at least 60 semester hours. That degree must come from a program either registered by NYSED as leading to licensure, or accredited by CACREP. Graduates of CACREP-accredited clinical mental health counseling programs are automatically considered to meet the educational standard — no additional review required.
Programs outside those two categories trigger an individual transcript evaluation by NYSED. That process adds time and introduces uncertainty, particularly for students who completed degrees out of state or through programs not specifically designed around New York’s requirements.
For most students, confirming CACREP accreditation upfront is the simplest way to ensure their degree will qualify.
The LMHC: What New York Calls a Licensed Counselor
New York licenses mental health counselors under a single credential: the Licensed Mental Health Counselor, or LMHC. If you’re coming from another state or researching programs nationally, you’ll encounter the Licensed Professional Counselor (LPC) designation frequently — but New York does not offer that credential. Students planning to practice in New York should confirm that any program they consider is designed around LMHC requirements, not LPC.
New York issues one tier of licensure, not two. You practice under a limited permit while accumulating post-degree supervised hours, then apply for full licensure once requirements are met.
A note on program tracks: not all CACREP-accredited programs lead to the same credential. Clinical mental health counseling programs align with LMHC licensure. School counseling programs lead to a separate state certification overseen by a different office. Rehabilitation counseling programs prepare students for a distinct credential entirely. The listing in the next section identifies each program’s track — confirm that yours matches your intended career path before enrolling.
New York CACREP-Accredited Programs by Region
New York’s CACREP-accredited programs span the state, from large research universities to smaller regional institutions. Use the listings below to find programs in your area.
New York City
New York City’s programs are distributed across four boroughs, with options ranging from clinical mental health counseling to school counseling and rehabilitation counseling.
| Institution | Location | Program | Degree |
| Touro University | Manhattan | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| CUNY Hunter College | Manhattan | School Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| CUNY Hunter College | Manhattan | Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| St. John’s University | Queens | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| St. John’s University | Queens | School Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| CUNY Brooklyn College | Brooklyn | School Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| CUNY Lehman College | Bronx | School Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
Featured Program: St. John’s University Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S.Ed. | 60 credits
St. John’s CACREP-accredited program is approved by NYSED as license-qualifying, meaning graduates meet the educational requirement for LMHC licensure without additional transcript review. The program also carries approval from the New York State Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services, giving graduates a path to the CASAC-T credential — a meaningful addition for clinicians who expect to work with clients dealing with co-occurring substance use issues.
Long Island
Long Island has the densest concentration of programs outside New York City, with four institutions offering a total of seven accredited tracks.
| Institution | Program | Degree |
| Hofstra University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.A. |
| Hofstra University | Rehabilitation Counseling | M.S. |
| Hofstra University | Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling | M.S. |
| Molloy College | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| New York Institute of Technology | School Counseling | M.S. |
| Long Island University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| Long Island University | School Counseling | M.S. |
Featured Program: Molloy University – Rockville Centre Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. | 60 credits
Molloy’s program is approved by NYSED as license-qualifying and structured specifically for working students — all classes are scheduled in the evenings and the program can be completed in three years including fall, spring, and summer semesters. Graduation requires passing the Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Examination (CPCE).
Hudson Valley
The Hudson Valley region includes two institutions with multiple program options, one of which also offers a doctoral track.
| Institution | Program | Degree |
| SUNY New Paltz | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| SUNY New Paltz | School Counseling | M.S. |
| Pace University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| Pace University | Counselor Education and Supervision | Ph.D. |
Featured Program: SUNY New Paltz – New Paltz Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. | 60 credits
SUNY New Paltz’s program is registered with NYSED as meeting the educational requirements for LMHC licensure. The curriculum includes a notable range of elective specializations — among them trauma, grief and bereavement, veterans and first responders, and work with children and adolescents — allowing students to tailor the degree toward specific practice areas. The program can be completed full time in two years including summers, or part time within five years.
Greater Rochester
Rochester is anchored by the University of Rochester, which offers one of the few doctoral programs in the state alongside two master’s tracks.
| Institution | Program | Degree |
| University of Rochester | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| University of Rochester | School Counseling | M.S. |
| University of Rochester | Counselor Education and Supervision | Ed.D./Ph.D. |
| St. John Fisher University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| SUNY Brockport | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| SUNY Brockport | School Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
Featured Program: University of Rochester – Rochester Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. | 60 credits
Rochester’s program stands out for a few distinctive features. It holds Diagnostic Privilege Designation from New York State, and its curriculum is registered with the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports as a 350-hour CASAC education provider — giving graduates a direct path toward the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor credential. The program also integrates AI and VR simulation tools into clinical training, developed in collaboration with the university’s Studio X.
Western New York
Western New York offers a range of accredited options across Buffalo, Niagara, and the Southern Tier, including two institutions with multiple program tracks.
| Institution | Program | Degree |
| University at Buffalo | Rehabilitation Counseling | M.S. |
| Niagara University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| Canisius University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| Canisius University | School Counseling | M.S. |
| St. Bonaventure University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| St. Bonaventure University | School Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| Alfred University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| Alfred University | School Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
Featured Program: Canisius University Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. | 60 credits
Canisius’s program is designed to meet New York State’s educational requirements for LMHC licensure. Courses are delivered in a hybrid format combining in-person and online instruction, offering flexibility without fully remote enrollment. The program accepts applications for fall, spring, and summer entry.For counselors who already hold a master’s degree in a related field but don’t yet meet LMHC coursework requirements, Canisius also offers a Mental Health Bridge Program — typically 12 to 18 credits — as a path to New York licensure eligibility without completing a second full degree.
Central / Northern New York
Syracuse University anchors this region with three accredited programs, including a doctoral track in counselor education.
| Institution | Program | Degree |
| Syracuse University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| Syracuse University | School Counseling | M.S. |
| Syracuse University | Counselor Education and Supervision | Ph.D. |
| SUNY Oswego | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| SUNY Plattsburgh | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
Featured Program: Syracuse University – Clinical Mental Health Counseling, M.S. | 60 credits
Syracuse’s program meets New York State’s academic requirements for LMHC licensure and credentialing as a Nationally Certified Counselor. Field experience exceeds CACREP minimums at over 700 hours across practicum and internship placements. Over the past five years the program has reported a 100% pass rate on the National Counselor Examination and a 90%+ graduate placement rate within six months.
Online CACREP Programs Accepting New York Students
Three programs in the New York listing above are also designated as online by CACREP. Whether that means fully online or hybrid delivery varies by program — confirm directly with each institution before enrolling.
| Institution | Program | Degree |
| Long Island University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S. |
| St. Bonaventure University | Clinical Mental Health Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
| St. Bonaventure University | School Counseling | M.S.Ed. |
Beyond these three, many CACREP-accredited online programs based in other states accept New York students. New York is not among the states that commonly trigger authorization complications for out-of-state online programs. That said, two things are worth confirming before enrolling in any out-of-state online program: that the institution is authorized to enroll New York students, and that the program’s curriculum is designed around clinical mental health counseling requirements rather than the LPC framework used in other states. A degree that qualifies you for licensure in Texas may not automatically qualify you for the LMHC in New York.
For a broader list of online CACREP-accredited programs, see our guide to CACREP-accredited online counseling programs.
Finding the Right Fit
New York’s depth of CACREP-accredited programs means most students will find strong options within their region. The more important variables are program track, delivery format, and how well a given program aligns with New York’s specific LMHC requirements.
For a broader look at counseling licensure in New York, see our New York counseling programs guide. If cost is a consideration, our guide to affordable CACREP-accredited counseling programs covers options across the country.
