The 9 Fastest Online Mental Health Counseling Programs in NY for 2026
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment growth of 17% to 19% by 2033-2034 for online mental health counseling programs in NY. This growth reflects the increasing recognition of mental health services across the state. You can complete masters in counseling online programs in as few as two years, and this makes them an attractive option for career changers and working professionals. This guide gets into nine accredited online masters in counseling programs that balance quality and career outcomes to help you make an informed decision.
Note that when we say a program is ‘Fully Online,’ we mean that the curriculum can be completed online. If you want to be a counselor, you will still need to do internship hours, and these must be done in-person.
NYU Steinhardt – Online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
Snapshot
Duration: 21 to 30 months
Admissions: Rolling
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: MPCAC
Fully online: Yes
Program Overview and Duration
NYU Steinhardt offers an online MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness through its Counseling@NYU platform. The program prepares you for licensure and employment in mental health settings of all types. You can complete this program in 21 to 30 months, depending on your start date and course load. The fastest track lets you finish in as few as five terms. Part-time options extend the timeline to accommodate your professional commitments. This flexibility makes it one of the quicker online masters in counseling programs available.
The program operates on a rolling admissions basis with multiple start dates per year. You can begin your studies when it fits your schedule. The September cohort has an early priority deadline on April 14, a priority deadline on May 4, and a final deadline on May 15.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
The curriculum requires 60 credit hours of graduate-level coursework. Live online classes combine with asynchronous work. Your studies will include core courses that cover counseling foundations, theories, multicultural counseling, ethics, human development, and research methods. The program lets you customize your learning path through electives on topics such as cognitive behavioral therapy, substance-related disorders, marriage and family counseling, and responses to trauma.
You must complete a 100-hour practicum in a mental health setting beyond coursework. This includes 40 hours of direct client contact. This original field experience transitions into a 600-hour internship spread across two consecutive terms at an NYU-approved clinical location. You will complete 240 hours of direct practice while working a minimum of 19 hours per week for three full days during the internship. The placement team secures appropriate sites within a 75-mile radius of your preferred address.
You must pass the Counselor Education Comprehensive Examination (CECE) during your final semester. This terminal experience serves as the capstone for all Counseling@NYU students.
Accreditation Status
The MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness holds accreditation from the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of January 2015 through January 2026. NYU itself maintains regional accreditation through the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. New York State has registered the program as a license-qualifying program in mental health counseling. Graduates meet the academic requirements for New York State licensure as a mental health counselor.
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university with a minimum 3.0 cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale. GRE scores are not required. Your complete application must include a current resume or CV. The resume should highlight any clinical experience, whether paid or volunteer work in settings like suicide hotlines or psychiatric centers. Transcripts from every postsecondary institution you attended must be uploaded. International credentials require either a WES or ECE course-by-course evaluation.
Two letters of recommendation from academic references who can speak to your qualifications are required. You will respond to five short answer questions and complete a case study that reflects your motivation and readiness for graduate counseling studies. You must submit TOEFL scores with a minimum of 100 if your native language is not English and you did not complete a four-year U.S. undergraduate degree in English.
All applicants must be U.S. citizens or permanent residents living in the United States for the program’s duration. The non-refundable application fee is $75, reduced to $45 if you submit by the priority deadline.
Key Program Features
The program emphasizes equity and social justice while preparing you to work with culturally diverse populations across the life span. Graduates qualify for diagnostic privileges in New York State. Licensed counselors can diagnose mental disorders and create assessment-based treatment plans on their own. This privilege expands your professional scope beyond simple counseling services. The curriculum gives you the tools to assess individuals and groups with attention to gender, race and ethnicity, and sexual orientation.
Hofstra University – Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling
Snapshot
Duration: 2.5 to 3 years
Admissions: Semester-based
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: CACREP
Fully online: No
Program Overview and Duration
Hofstra University’s MA in Mental Health Counseling is a 60-credit program that prepares you for licensure as a mental health counselor in New York State. Full-time students can complete the program in 2.5 to 3 years and this includes internships. A flexible curriculum sequence guides you through the program based on course prerequisites. Hofstra defines full-time graduate study as 9 credits per semester. The sequenced curriculum allows you to progress through foundational coursework before you advance to clinical internship experiences in your final semesters.
Graduation qualifies you to sit for the licensing examination and apply for a limited permit to practice for up to 24 months. A potential 12-month extension is available while you complete the 3,000 hours of post-master’s supervised clinical experience that full licensure requires.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
The program requires 48 credits of core coursework plus 12 semester hours of elective coursework selected from an approved listing. Six credits are designated as preferred electives. Your studies cover 11 content areas that the New York State Education Department identified in compliance with Article 163 of the Education Law, which made mental health counseling a licensed profession in 2006.
You must complete a minimum of 600 internship hours over two semesters in a mental health setting. An additional 300-hour internship can be taken as a preferred elective in lieu of other coursework under advisement. Students who pursue the CASAC credential must complete internships at an OASAS-affiliated site. You can intern on campus at Hofstra’s Counseling and Mental Health Professions Clinic before you transition to off-campus clinical settings with individual supervision.
A final semester exam assesses your mastery of the knowledge base. The exam is offered during fall and spring semesters and serves as the graduation requirement instead of a thesis.
Accreditation Status
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP), a specialized accrediting body that the Council for Higher Education Accreditation recognizes, has granted accreditation to Hofstra’s Mental Health Counseling program. The accreditation extends through October 31, 2032, under the 2016 CACREP standards. Graduates are CACREP graduates beginning January 9, 2014.
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, preferably with a major in psychology, behavioral sciences, or human services. The program requires a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Your application must include three letters of recommendation for academic and character references, a personal essay that describes your professional intent and pertinent background, and a writing sample you complete during your personal interview with the program director or faculty representative.
Personal experience in counseling or growth-oriented processes is desirable. The preferred application deadline for fall semester is August 15 and for spring semester is January 15. Remaining applications are reviewed based on available space.
Key Program Features
The program gives matriculated students a chance to complete OASAS educational requirements for the Credentialed Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor designation. Students who pursue this focus become eligible to register for CASAC and qualify for the clinical experience component of certification.
The program is STEM-designated for international students. This designation provides F-1 students with a 24-month STEM OPT extension beyond their initial post-completion OPT period and allows up to two additional years of practical training.
Alumni report strong preparation for their positions. 82% show they were very adequately or adequately prepared for their current roles in mental health counseling. Graduates work in private practice, community agencies, managed behavioral health care organizations, government and nonprofit organizations, hospitals, employee assistance programs, and substance abuse centers.
Syracuse University – Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Snapshot
Duration: 2 years
Admissions: Semester-based, No GRE
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: CACREP
Fully online: No
Program Overview and Duration
Syracuse University’s Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling trains professional counselors to provide services in community agencies, private practice, residential treatment and Veterans Affairs Clinics. Full-time students finish the 60-credit program in 2 years and include summer sessions. The program design extends to 2.3 years for those following the standard full-time sequence. Part-time options exist for working professionals, with a maximum completion window of 7 years.
Classes meet one day per week and are scheduled between 4-7 pm or 7-10 pm. This format complements practicum and internship expectations. You can work at field sites as an intern during typical business hours on weekdays. Applications are reviewed for fall semester entry only, with a January 15 deadline.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
The program structure has courses in professional orientation, theories of counseling, group work, career development, assessment and research methods. Specialized coursework covers foundations of mental health counseling, family systems and therapy, substance abuse counseling and counseling children and adolescents. You will study psychopathology, crisis counseling and life-span human development with multicultural counseling skills.
Clinical training requires at least 700 hours of supervised experience in community settings. This breaks down into 100 practicum hours and 600 internship hours. Field partnerships span Central New York and include Helio Health, Liberty Resources, VA Medical Center, Family Counseling Services, Barnes Center at the Arch, Restore & Renew Therapy Services, Crouse Addiction Treatment Services and multiple university counseling centers at SUNY ESF, SUNY Oswego, Colgate College and Hamilton College.
You must complete a master’s exam, thesis or special project as your degree’s culminating experience.
Accreditation Status
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program since 1994. This recognition confirms training quality and scope while ensuring the program’s stability and commitment to professional standards. CACREP accreditation streamlines certification and licensure processes and became mandatory for National Certified Counselor credentials as of January 1, 2022.
Graduates meet all educational requirements for New York State licensure in clinical mental health counseling (LMHC). After program completion, you may apply for a limited permit to practice while accumulating required post-degree hours for the licensure exam.
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree with a cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0. No specific undergraduate major is required, though the admissions committee gets into your transcript for relevant coursework. Your application must have official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions, three letters of recommendation with at least two from academic references and a strong personal statement detailing career goals that line up with clinical mental health counseling.
GRE scores are optional. International applicants must submit TOEFL scores of 100 (iBT), IELTS 7.0 or Duolingo English Test results. A resume or CV documenting relevant experience completes your application materials.
Key Program Features
The program maintains a 90%+ placement rate within 6 months of graduation. In the last five years, graduates achieved a 100% pass rate on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Credentialing. Faculty members are nationally and internationally recognized leaders who work in scholarship and service within counseling organizations and professional journals. The Counseling Training Clinic features state-of-the-art technology for recording, analyzing and documenting clinical work. The program emphasizes social justice, culturally relevant skills, advocacy and leadership throughout its curriculum.
Alfred University – Master of Education in Mental Health Counseling
Snapshot
Duration: 25 months
Admissions: Semester-based
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: CACREP
Fully online: No, weekend courses
Program Overview and Duration
Alfred University delivers its Master of Science in Education in Mental Health Counseling through both campus-based and downstate locations. This offers flexibility for students in New York State. The downstate program operates as a 25-month cohort model that starts each September. The application deadline for the Fall 2026 cohort is August 15. Campus-based students can choose full-time or part-time enrollment. Full-time students receive a 5-hour graduate assistantship that provides a $3,000 tuition reduction.
The downstate program charges $445 per credit or $1,335 per 3-credit course. This brings the total program cost to $26,700 for 60 credits. Classes meet on Saturdays or Sundays to accommodate working professionals. Each course consists of five full-day sessions. One campus visit to Alfred is required during the second summer, though Alfred alumni have this requirement waived.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
The program requires 60 credit hours. This includes a 3-credit practicum and two 3-credit internships. Your coursework addresses eight core curricular areas plus specialization topics. These cover foundations of mental health counseling, psychopathology and differential diagnosis, counseling special populations using evidence-based practices, mental health assessment, substance use disorders, and trauma-informed care.
Field experiences distinguish Alfred’s curriculum. You will spend over 100 days in mental health settings, totaling 700 clock hours. You complete 100 practicum hours (40 direct service hours) at a clinical mental health agency and at Alfred’s Child and Family Services Center under licensed faculty supervision first. The two internship semesters require at least 600 total hours with 240 direct service hours distributed across both terms.
Accreditation Status
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited Alfred’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling program. Accreditation extends through October 31, 2032, under 2016 standards. Graduates are CACREP graduates beginning July 9, 2013. The program is registered as a Licensure Qualified Program in New York State and satisfies all educational requirements for Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC).
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 scale. GRE scores are required only if your undergraduate GPA falls below 3.0. Your application must include three letters of recommendation, official transcripts from all undergraduate and graduate institutions, and a personal statement. The statement should describe your program interest and relevant experience. An on-campus interview is mandatory because the program demands maturity and flexibility for success. The application fee is $60.
Key Program Features
You become eligible for a limited permit as a mental health counselor in New York State after completion. Full licensure requires passing the National Certified Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination and completing 3,000 hours (about 2 years full-time) of supervised experience. This includes 1,500 hours of direct client contact[211]. Alfred’s emphasis on applied learning through the on-campus Child and Family Services Center provides supervised clinical experience before you transition to community agencies[223].
St. John’s University – Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Snapshot
Duration: 2.5 years
Admissions: Semester-based
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: CACREP
Fully online: No
Program Overview and Duration
St. John’s University launched a fast-track option in 2023-2024 that allows you to earn your Master of Science in Education in Clinical Mental Health Counseling in 2 years plus one summer, shortening the standard 2.5-year timeline. Eleven students completed this accelerated track in summer 2024. The program operates on both Queens and Staten Island campuses and offers in-person instruction with online course components.
Selected students get a chance to intern at OMH facilities through an innovative partnership with New York State Office of Mental Health (NYS OMH). They receive specialized training on counseling persons with severe mental illness in exchange for a stipend. St. John’s serves as the only downstate school that participates in this pilot initiative.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
The program requires 60 credits leading to the MSEd degree. You must complete three field experience courses: a 100-hour practicum with 40 direct contact hours and two 300-hour internships totaling 600 hours with 240 direct contact hours. Practicum enrollment requires completion of 9 core courses including Introduction to Counseling, Group Dynamics, Counseling Skills and Techniques, Assessment in Counseling, Career Development, Research in Counseling, Multicultural Counseling, Psychosocial Development, and Counseling Theories.
Accreditation Status
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited the program through March 31, 2027, under 2016 standards. Graduates are considered CACREP graduates beginning January 12, 2011. New York State Department of Education Office of Professions approved the program as license qualifying and confirmed it meets education requirements for Licensed Mental Health Counselor. The Office of Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Services (OASAS) approved the degree as qualifying curriculum for Certified Alcoholism and Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (CASAC-T).
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA minimum. A minimum of 18 psychology credits including research and statistics is required. Your application must include two letters of recommendation from college instructors or field supervisors, participation in a faculty interview, and a one-to-two-page personal essay outlining your reasons for pursuing the degree and future career goals. No graduate entrance examination is required. The application fee is $70.
Key Program Features
The program enrolled 65% of students identifying as non-white in the CMHC track. During the 2023-2024 cycle, 48 applicants were accepted from 67 applications, with 22 who ended up enrolling.
Long Island University Post – Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Snapshot
Duration: 2 years
Admissions: Semester-based
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: CACREP
Fully online: No
Program Overview and Duration
LIU Post’s 60-credit MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling provides core knowledge for effective practice in a variety of clinical settings. The program accepts applications for Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters. You should submit your application at least one month before classes start. Graduates qualify for immediate employment as clinical mental health counselors with a limited permit or school counselors with provisional certification. The program produced 35 graduates in the past year and achieved an 87.5% degree completion rate within the department’s timeframe.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
Your coursework covers professional issues and ethics, counseling theories, human development, counseling skills, group work, assessment, and career development. The program builds on these foundations and develops specialized knowledge in mental health counseling foundations, research, evidence-based practice, program assessment, psychopathology, and psychopharmacology. Therapeutic techniques span cognitive behavior therapy, rational emotive cognitive behavior therapy, behavior therapy, eye movement desensitization reprocessing, dialectical behavior therapy, acceptance and commitment therapy, motivational interviewing, exposure therapies, and interpersonal psychotherapy.
All students complete three semesters of fieldwork that total 700 hours as NYSED and CACREP require. You may select from current partner schools and agencies or choose your own placement with approval. Tenured school counselors and licensed mental health professionals provide fieldwork supervision. You need 3,000 hours of supervised experience in mental health counseling practice plus a passing grade on the National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination for full licensure after completion.
Accreditation Status
CACREP has fully accredited the Clinical Mental Health Counseling program at LIU Post through October 2029. This accreditation will give the highest quality faculty and curriculum standards. The program satisfies educational requirements for the New York State Mental Health Counselors License.
Admission Requirements
Submit official undergraduate or graduate transcripts with a GPA of 3.0 or higher. Applicants below 3.0 GPA must take the GRE. Only the writing assessment gets evaluated for admission purposes. You need two professional or academic letters of recommendation that address your potential for success and knowing how to complete graduate study. Your personal statement of 500 to 1,000 words should describe your reason for pursuing graduate study at LIU, personal and academic background, relevant experience, and professional goals. International applicants must submit TOEFL scores with a minimum of 85 Internet-based or IELTS score of 6.5.
Key Program Features
You must maintain at least a 3.0 GPA throughout the program. The Academic Standing Committee will assess students whose cumulative average falls below 3.00. These students receive a warning letter and enter probation status. Those who completed the Alumni survey reported 100% employment in clinical settings within 3 months upon graduation.
Pace University – Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
Snapshot
Duration: 2 years
Admissions: Semester-based
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: CACREP
Fully online: No
Program Overview and Duration
Pace University’s MS in Mental Health Counseling operates from its Westchester campus. The program provides strong foundations in clinical counseling and specialized knowledge in areas ranging from loss and grief counseling to substance abuse and post-traumatic stress. The 60-credit program combines theoretical coursework with 700 hours of supervised internships and practicum experiences. You will learn through hands-on experience at leading hospitals and agencies such as NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
The curriculum has 16 required core courses and 4 elective courses that total 12 credits. Core coursework has Helping Relationships (Counseling Theories and Techniques I & II), Orientation to Addiction, Human Growth and Development, Group Dynamics, and Psychopathology and Personality Disorders. The program also requires Professional Orientation and Ethics. Additional required courses cover Field Experience Internship I and II, Foundations of Mental Health Counseling and Consultation, Research and Program Evaluation, and Career and Lifestyle Development. You will also take Marriage and Family Systems, Social and Cultural Foundations of Counseling, Appraisal and Assessment, and Practicum in Mental Health Counseling.
Courses require completion of prerequisites in a specified order. You must earn passing grades of B or better with department approval. The Program Manager and Field Placement Coordinator provide close advisement throughout your enrollment.
Accreditation Status
The Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) has accredited the program. Graduates are eligible for New York State certification in mental health counseling.
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree in psychology or a related field. Applicants without a psychology major may need to complete two prerequisite undergraduate courses such as Introduction to Psychology or Lifespan Development before beginning graduate study.
Key Program Features
Tuition is $1,495 per credit. The total program cost is $89,700. Application deadlines are January 1 for fall term and April 1 for spring term.
Molloy College – Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Snapshot
Duration: 3 years
Admissions: Semester-based
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: CACREP
Fully online: No, Evening Classes
Program Overview and Duration
Molloy University delivers its 60-credit MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling through in-person classes at an off-site campus located at 30 Hempstead Avenue, Suite 248 in Rockville Center, New York. Classes run in the evenings to accommodate working professionals. The program takes 3 years to complete and follows a cohort model. Courses are scheduled throughout fall, spring, and summer terms.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
Your coursework addresses human growth and development, social and cultural foundations of counseling, counseling theory and practice, psychopathology, group dynamics, lifestyle and career development, assessment of individuals and groups, research and program evaluation, and professional orientation and ethics. Clinical experience has a practicum of 100 clock hours in one semester and an internship of 600 clock hours across two semesters. Each supervised field placement occurs in a mental health setting that Molloy pre-approves. You must complete a final exam and e-portfolio.
Accreditation Status
CACREP accredited the program, which represents the gold standard for counselor education. The program fulfills educational requirements for licensure as a Mental Health Counselor set by the New York State Education Department, Office of the Professions. Molloy got approval from the New York State Education Department to add the diagnostic privilege designation. This ensures graduates meet educational criteria for diagnostic authority.
Admission Requirements
You need a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited institution. The $65 non-refundable application fee accompanies your materials. An undergraduate major in counseling, psychology, or a related mental health field works best, though students with other majors who completed three of six prerequisite courses with a 3.0 or higher GPA will be considered. These courses are introduction to counseling or psychology, life-span development, evaluation/assessment, psychopathology or abnormal psychology, statistics in behavioral sciences, and experimental design. You must participate in a personal interview with the program director and complete a spontaneous writing sample. Three academic or professional letters of recommendation and a 500-word personal statement addressing your background, experiences, and career goals are needed.
Key Program Features
Molloy’s Mental Health and Wellness Center is housed within the CMHC department. It gives you chances to work with clients under live supervision in both face-to-face and tele-mental health therapy sessions. The program uses a mentorship model that supports each graduate student in reaching full potential. Students present at regional, statewide, and national counseling conferences and receive placements in competitive clinical settings throughout the New York area. After you graduate, you become eligible for licensure in New York State upon completion of 3,000 post-master’s hours of supervised mental health counseling work and passing the state licensing examination.
Niagara University – Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Snapshot
Duration: 3 years
Admissions: Rolling
Credits: 60 credits
Accreditation: CACREP
Fully online: Yes
Program Overview and Duration
Niagara University’s Mental Health Counseling program is 30 years old, being the first of its kind in New York State. The university offers a three-year, 60-credit Master of Science in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. You can take courses in early evening through on-campus, online and hybrid formats that accommodate your schedule. Rolling admissions allow you to apply at any time for upcoming semesters.
Credit Requirements and Curriculum
The curriculum consists of 20 graduate courses totaling 60 credit hours. Field placement requirements go beyond state minimums. This is a big deal as it means that you get 1,000 clock hours of supervised experience, which includes a 3-credit counseling practicum and a 9-credit internship. Your practicum involves 100 clock hours with 40 direct contact hours. Internships span 900 hours (300 hours per term over three semesters) with 360 total direct contact hours.
Accreditation Status
CACREP granted accreditation in 2016 and extended it through October 31, 2033. The New York State Education Department has approved and registered the program.
Admission Requirements
You need a minimum 3.0 GPA to remain in the program. An interview is required for all applicants.
Key Program Features
The program emphasizes an eclectic counseling point of view and encourages you to learn various techniques from different theoretical models.
Start Today
These nine programs give you quality pathways to becoming a licensed mental health counselor in New York. Each program requires 60 credits and substantial clinical hours, yet they differ in format, location, and specializations. Most options have CACREP accreditation, ensuring you meet national standards for professional practice.
Your next step involves identifying which program best lines up with your schedule, budget, and career goals. Think about whether evening classes, cohort models, or hybrid formats work better for your circumstances. Reach out to admissions offices directly once you’ve narrowed your choices. You can discuss specific requirements and start dates that fit your timeline.