Clinical Mental Health Counseling

Mentoring Compassionate Counselors for Our Communities

The Master of Science (M.S.) in Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program at Molloy University is designed to provide graduate students the professional identity, core knowledge, necessary state-of-the- art practical skills, and multi-cultural sensitivity to excel in a variety of mental health settings. Our 60-credit-hour, New York State approved, part-time, evening program can be completed in three years, and fulfills the educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor established by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions.

Successful graduates of the Molloy University M.S. in CMHC will be eligible for Licensure as Mental Health Counselors in New York State upon completion of 3,000 post-Master's hours of supervised mental health counseling work and the passing of the state licensing examination. Licensed Mental Health Counselors provide short term and long term consumer friendly services for clients. 

The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), is the gold standard accrediting body for Counseling programs and recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.

Accredited Programs provide the following to students:

• Recognition that the program has been evaluated and meets or exceeds national standards
• Knowledge that the graduate has met prerequisites for credentialing and is ready for entry into professional practice
• Understanding that the focus of the program will be on professional counseling, not psychology, education or other helping professions

Prepare for a career as a clinical mental health counselor with Molloy University

• A program designed for working students with all classes scheduled in the evenings.
• Dedication to the highest standards of accreditation
• Committed to social justice, diversity, and multicultural humility
• Education in numerous counseling theories and interventions
• Best practices and ethical standards embedded throughout the program
• Highly experiential coursework and hands-on practice
• Small class sizes and one-on-one mentorship throughout the program

The program can be completed in three years with classes in Fall, Spring, and Summer Semesters and requires a final comprehensive examination. Graduate coursework will include, but not be limited to, each of the following content areas:

• Professional orientation and ethics
• Human growth and development
• Counseling theory and practice
• Foundations of mental health counseling and consultation
• Assessment and appraisal of individuals, couples and families and groups
• Social and cultural foundations of counseling
• Psychopathology
• Group dynamics
• Lifestyle and career development
• Research and program evaluation
• Clinical instruction

A practicum (100 clock hours) course and a one year (600 clock hours) supervised internship in mental health counseling in a Molloy University approved mental health setting are required. A comprehensive examination, The Counselor Preparation Comprehensive Exam (CPCE), is required for graduation.