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  • Master of Science (MS) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program

    • Master of Science (MS) degree in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program

    1 in 5  U.S. adults experiences mental illness each year.
    1 in 6  U.S. youth aged 6-17 experience a mental health disorder each year.*

    In 2022, among the 59.3 million adults with any mental illness, only about ½ received mental health treatment in the past year.**

    If you’re passionate about making a real difference in people’s lives, now is the time to step forward. The need for skilled, compassionate mental health counselors has never been greater—and with the right training, you can be part of the solution, helping individuals and communities thrive.

     

    Key Benefits of the Maria College CMHC Program:

    • Meets the educational requirements for licensure in NYS as a mental health counselor

    • Flexible weekend classes (Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays) designed for working professionals

    • Small class sizes led by experienced faculty for personalized learning

    • Hands-on field experience: 100-hour practicum and two 300-hour internships in diverse clinical settings

    • Dedicated field placement coordinator to match you with the right internship—no searching on your own

    • Evidence-based, trauma-informed, and culturally responsive curriculum

    • Robust network of agencies for yearlong field placements in mental health and substance use/abuse

    • Focus on behavioral health and integrated care to prepare you for today’s counseling challenges

    Together, we can bridge the gap in mental health care for those who need it most.

     

    Maria College’s MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program’s Inaugural Class — Mind and Mission Tuition Award

    As we welcome our first cohort into the Master’s in Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program, the College looks to encourage students demonstrating a commitment to Mental Health and professional growth through a limited 25% tuition award. This founding class will set the standard for academic excellence and mission-driven compassion, and we hope to empower our graduate students to become ethical, skilled, and culturally responsive counselors who will have an immeasurable impact on their community. The Mind and Mission Tuition Award will be available to students who enroll in the CMHC Program in the Spring 2026 semester and who remain in good academic standing through the duration of the program.

    Alumni may be eligible for additional scholarship opportunities. Learn more at our Scholarship page!

     

    Mission Statement

    The mission of Maria College’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program is to prepare culturally responsive and compassionate professional counselors committed to ethical practice. Through a rigorous curriculum, students develop the knowledge, awareness, and skills necessary to serve as reflective practitioners, leaders, and advocates. Graduates are prepared to provide client-centered, developmentally appropriate services—including assessment, diagnosis, treatment planning, and evidence-informed interventions—to diverse individuals, couples, families, and groups across the lifespan in a variety of clinical mental health settings. 

    *National Alliance on Mental Illness
    **National Institute of Mental Health

     

    • Admissions Requirements
      • Completion of application for graduate study at Maria College
      • Evidence of the possession of a U.S. baccalaureate degree or equivalent from an accredited institution through submission of official transcripts from all post-secondary education.
      • Transcripts showing a grade point average of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale), overall and in the undergraduate major, and/or evidence of recent academic achievement.
      • At least two letters of recommendation, one from a supervisor or professor which addresses the applicant’s character and potential to be a counselor, and one which addresses the applicant’s scholarship and is written by a professional qualified to make that assessment.
      • A statement of purpose in essay format discussing the applicant’s objectives and motivation for pursuing a graduate degree in mental health counseling, an understanding of mental health counseling as a career, and a discussion of how this degree will meet the applicant’s professional development plans.
      • A resumé demonstrating work and/or volunteer experience in the human services field
      • Interview with program director and/or program faculty
    • Program Objectives

      The CMHC program has three overarching program objectives: 

      1. Students will demonstrate the knowledge, skills and ability to practice as an ethical counselor in a multicultural and pluralistic society. 
      2. Students will develop knowledge and skills to use data and research to inform and evaluate counseling practice. 
      3. Students will demonstrate a professional counselor identity consistent with the principles of social justice/advocacy, wellness/prevention and ethical practice. 
    • Course Sequence

      First Year: First Semester

      Course

      		 

      Credits

      CSL 500

      Counseling Theory & Practice

      3

      CSL 501

      Professional Orientation & Ethical Practice in Counseling

      3

      CSL 502

      Mental Health Systems of Care

      3

      CSL 503

      Lifespan Development

      3

       

       

      12

      First Year: Second Semester

      CSL 504 

      Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling Practice 

      3

      CSL 505

      Research & Program Evaluation  

      3

      CSL 508

      Psychopathology & Diagnosis  

      3

      CSL 510

      Counseling Relationships & Skills

      3

        

      12

      First Year: Third Semester

      CSL 506

      Assessment in Counseling

      3

      CSL 507

      Career Development & Counseling  

      		3

      CSL 512

      Group Counseling  

      3

        

      9

      Second Year: First Semester 

      CSL 582

      Counseling Children & Adolescents 

      3

      CSL 583

      Mental Health Counseling Interventions  

      3

      CSL 592

      Practicum in Clinical Mental Health Counseling

      3

        

      9

      Second Year: Second Semester

      CSL 509

      Differential Diagnosis & Treatment Planning

      3

      CSL 578

      Substance Use & Behavioral Addictions Counseling 

      3

      CSL 593

      Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship 1 

      3

        

      9

      Second Year: Third Semester

      CSL 581

      Counseling Couples & Families  

      3

      CSL 594

      Clinical Mental Health Counseling Internship 2  

      3

      CSL 580 

      Special Topics in Counseling (elective)  

      3

        

      9

    • Tuition & Fees

      Tuition. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,200 / credit

      Technology & Services Fee . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . $1,100 / semester

       

      Credits

      Tuition

      Fees

      Books & Supplies (may vary)

       

      First Year

       

       

       

       

       

      First Term

      12

      $14,400.00

      $1,100.00

      $1,000.00

       

      Second Term

      12

      $14,400.00

      $1,100.00

      $500.00

       

      Third Term

      9

      $10,800.00

      $1,100.00

      $500.00

       

       

       

       

       

      $44,900.00

      $44,900.00

      Second Year

       

       

       

       

       

      First Term

      9

      $10,800.00

      $1,100.00

      $500.00

       

      Second Term

      9

      $10,800.00

      $1,100.00

      $200.00

       

      Third Term

      9

      $10,800.00

      $1,100.00

      $200.00

       

       

       

       

       

      $36,600.00

      $36,600.00

       

       

       

       

       

      $81,500.00

    • Scholarships & Loan Forgiveness
      1. Scholarships for graduate students in Counseling information can be found ​​here.​​
      2. The Public Service Loan Forgiveness Program forgives the remaining balance on Direct Loans after you’ve made the equivalent of 120 qualifying monthly payments under an accepted repayment plan, and while working full-time for an eligible employer.
      3. The Community Mental Health Loan Repayment Program in NYS provides up to $30,000 for mental health professionals to repay qualified education loans and student debt. 

       

       

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