Accredited Counseling Schools in New York State
New York’s counseling schools provide over 50 master’s programs to help aspiring mental health professionals. You might want to work in clinical practice, school settings, or specialized counseling fields. The right accredited program is vital to your future career success. New York ranks as the second-highest employer of mental health counselors nationwide according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. This makes it an ideal place to get your counseling education.
Students learning about master’s in counseling programs in New York will find options like NYU Steinhardt’s MPCAC-accredited online counseling degree that leads to licensure. The programs are flexible and some students can complete their degree in just 21 months. School counselors in New York earn $71,160 on average each year, which shows the field’s strong potential.
This guide gives you a complete roadmap to pick the right counseling program in New York. You’ll understand accreditation standards, compare program features, and learn about the steps to get licensed after graduation.
Understanding Accreditation for Counseling Programs in New York
Your professional career in New York starts with picking the right accredited counseling program. Knowing about different types of accreditation will help you invest wisely in your education and shape your career path.
What is CACREP and MPCAC Accreditation?
CACREP (Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs) stands as the leading accrediting body for counseling programs. This 42-year-old organization checks if master’s and doctoral counseling programs meet professional standards. Right now, CACREP accredits over 983 counseling programs at 473 colleges and universities across the United States.
MPCAC (Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council) is newer, starting in 2011. It sets standards for master’s programs in both psychology and counseling. While CACREP only looks at counseling programs, MPCAC takes a wider view by including both counseling and psychology programs at the master’s level.
Here are the main differences between these accrediting bodies:
- Program Requirements: CACREP needs 60 semester hours of training, while MPCAC asks for at least 48 hours (though most MPCAC programs offer 60)
- Clinical Training: Both need 600 internship hours, but CACREP adds a 100-hour practicum over at least 10 weeks
- Philosophical Approach: CACREP sees counseling as separate from psychology, while MPCAC connects both fields
Why Accreditation Matters for Licensure and Employment
Accreditation does more than just guarantee quality—it determines if you can get licensed in New York. Future mental health counselors in New York must graduate from a CACREP-accredited program (or other approved accrediting agency) to meet LMHC licensure requirements.
Research shows that graduates from CACREP-accredited programs do better on the National Counselor Examination (NCE), which you need for licensure. This advantage makes it easier to start your professional practice.
Many employers look for candidates with accredited degrees. They trust accreditation as proof of quality education that meets industry standards. An accredited degree opens more job opportunities and career growth options.
You should know the difference between accreditation and certification. Programs get accredited when they meet specific standards, while individuals earn certifications based on their qualifications. This matters when you apply for your license.
How to Verify a Program’s Accreditation Status
Check a program’s accreditation status to avoid wasting time and money on worthless credentials from diploma mills—places that give degrees with little study or claim fake accreditation.
Here’s how to check if a program has real accreditation:
- Check the CACREP directory website (org/directory) for accredited counseling programs
- Look up MPCAC-accredited programs on their official website
- Make sure the accrediting body is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
Programs usually take 12-18 months to get accredited. If accreditation matters for your career, ask about the timeline before you enroll.
Remember, even if a program says it has “pending accreditation,” only students who graduated within 18 months before accreditation was granted count as graduates of an accredited program.
Types of Counseling Degrees Offered in New York
New York state schools give students many ways to become counselors. Their specialized programs help students reach specific career goals in counseling. Each degree path readies graduates to work with different groups of people in various settings.
Clinical Mental Health Counseling vs. School Counseling
Clinical mental health counseling programs teach professionals how to help people through life’s challenges. These counselors work with clients who face anxiety, depression, trauma, and relationship issues. The field has seen huge growth, as nearly 1 in 4 U.S. adults experienced a mental illness. More than 59 million adults got mental health treatment in 2022.
School counseling takes a different path. It focuses on helping students grow academically, socially, emotionally, and in their careers. School counselors play a key role today, especially since 40% of U.S. high school students said they felt sad or hopeless often in 2021.
Each program’s coursework shows these different goals:
- Clinical mental health programs teach psychopathology, diagnosis, and treatment planning
- School counseling programs focus on child development, educational psychology, and college readiness guidance
- Both need hands-on training in their specific fields
After graduation, clinical program graduates usually become Licensed Mental Health Counselors (LMHC), while school counselors get state certification.
Rehabilitation Counseling Program Options
Rehabilitation counseling programs create specialists who help people with disabilities reach their full potential. Hunter College’s Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling program has CACREP accreditation. Their counselors learn to give personalized help with disability adjustment, career growth, and independent living.
You’ll find rehabilitation counseling degrees at several New York schools. The University at Buffalo ranks first in New York State and lets you study online or in person over three years. Hunter College makes it easier for working professionals by offering afternoon and evening classes.
Students who finish these programs can become Certified Rehabilitation Counselors (CRC). Those with a master’s in Clinical Rehabilitation Counseling might want to get an Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling. This one-year program lets them qualify for LMHC licensure.
Online vs. On-Campus Program Formats
Online clinical mental health counseling degrees are booming. 45% of U.S. students take at least one online course. New York started with just a few online options but now offers at least four online mental health counseling master’s programs.
Online programs give students more freedom to balance work and family life. Students save money too – about 30% on total education costs by avoiding commuting and housing expenses.
Campus-based programs still have their perks. They let you work directly with teachers and classmates. About 75% of graduates say these connections helped them advance their careers.
Both types of programs keep the same academic standards and need similar field experience. The main difference lies in how courses are taught. Online programs use virtual platforms and recorded lectures, plus some live sessions.
Comparing Accredited Counseling Schools in New York
Students looking to choose counseling schools in New York need to compare program features that match their career goals and personal needs. The right choice depends on many factors, from getting admitted to managing costs.
Top Online Programs with No GRE Requirement
New York’s online counseling programs are moving away from GRE requirements. NYU Steinhardt’s online Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness leads the pack with its detailed 60-credit curriculum that doesn’t need GRE scores. Students can finish this program in just 21 months, making it the quickest way to get licensed.
St. Bonaventure University also runs an online Master’s in School Counseling without GRE scores. The program uses a 7-week course format and lets students start three times a year. Both schools keep their CACREP accreditation even without asking for standardized test scores.
On-Campus Programs with Specializations
New York schools offer specialized paths beyond basic counseling training. NYU has created an innovative dual Master of Arts/Advanced Certificate program that combines LGBTQ+ Health, Education, and Social Services with mental health counseling training. This program helps meet the growing demand for counselors who understand diverse communities.
CCNY’s Mental Health Counseling program stands out with its full-time schedule. Classes run only on Tuesdays and Thursdays, so students can work part-time during their first year. Brooklyn College takes a different approach with their Mental Health Counseling MA. They focus on family clinical work and blend psychodynamic, experiential/humanistic, and cognitive/behavioral therapy methods.
Program Duration and Credit Hour Requirements
New York counseling programs need 60 credits to match state license requirements. Program length varies substantially between schools:
- NYU’s online students can graduate in 21 months
- CCNY students follow a two-year, full-time plan
- Brooklyn College students move through the program as a group and finish in 21 months
Final requirements differ too. NYU asks for a 100-hour practicum plus a 600-hour internship. Pace University combines these into 700 hours of supervised field work.
Cost Considerations and Financial Aid Availability
Tuition for New York counseling programs ranges from $30,000 to $70,000 total. Public schools cost less, especially if you live in-state. CUNY Hunter College charges in-state graduate students between $9,100 and $13,700.
NYU’s online program sits at the higher end, costing about $136,320 total ($2,272 per credit for 2025-2026). Pace University charges around $89,700 ($1,495 per credit).
Students can get help paying through:
- Merit scholarships worth $5,000 to $7,000 at CCNY and Pace
- Special grants like SUNY Fredonia’s Career Pathways Training program, which pays full tuition if you work three years after graduating
- Federal aid including Direct Unsubsidized Loans (up to $20,500 yearly) and Graduate PLUS Loans
Licensure Pathways After Graduation
Your path to licensure starts right after graduating from counseling schools in New York. The transition from graduate to licensed professional requires several significant steps that ensure your readiness to provide mental health services.
LMHC Requirements in New York State
New York State Education Department has set specific criteria to qualify for a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) credential. Here’s what you need:
- You must be 21 years old and demonstrate good moral character
- A master’s or doctoral degree in counseling from a CACREP-accredited program or equivalent
- Completion of mandatory coursework that covers identifying and reporting child abuse
- A complete application with $371 for licensure and first registration
The state will authorize you to start accumulating supervised practice hours once your application gets approved. You can do this through employment or with a limited permit that costs $70.
Internship and Supervised Practice Guidelines
You need 3,000 clock hours of supervised experience in an authorized mental health counseling setting after graduation. Direct client contact must make up at least 1,500 of these hours. The remaining time goes to case management, record keeping, professional development, or research.
Your supervisor should be licensed and registered in New York State. They can be a mental health counselor, physician, psychologist, licensed clinical social worker, or registered nurse practitioner with mental health counseling expertise. Weekly in-person supervision requires one hour minimum, or four hours monthly.
Professional corporations, healthcare facilities under Article 28 of the Public Health Law, and programs authorized under the Mental Hygiene Law qualify as practice settings. Each supervisor can only oversee five limited permit holders at once.
National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Exam (NCMHCE)
The National Clinical Mental Health Counseling Examination marks your final step toward licensure. The National Board for Certified Counselors administers this test. It features 11 clinical simulations that test your clinical problem-solving abilities.
New York stands apart by not accepting the National Counselor Examination (NCE). The NCMHCE costs $275 and covers five content areas: professional practice and ethics (15%), intake and assessment (25%), treatment planning (15%), counseling skills and interventions (30%), and core counseling attributes (15%).
The state must verify your educational credentials and approve your application first. You’ll get registration details from the NBCC after approval.
Career Outlook and Salary Expectations in New York
New York’s job market gives counseling school graduates plenty of room to grow and earn competitive salaries.
Mental Health Counselor Salary Ranges
New York’s mental health counselors earn a median annual salary of $67,410, making the state the seventh-highest paying nationwide for counselors. Your earnings depend on your experience level. New counselors start around $55,595, while seasoned professionals can make up to $98,287 per year. Location matters too – NYC counselors usually earn more than their upstate counterparts.
Job Growth Projections by Counseling Type
The job outlook looks bright. Mental health counselor positions should grow by 18% from 2022 to 2032, which beats the average growth rate of other careers. The mental health field expects to create about 48,300 job openings yearly through 2034. Better mental health awareness and expanded insurance coverage for counseling drive this growth.
Top Employers and Work Settings for Counselors
Counselors typically work in these settings:
- Individual and family services
- Outpatient care centers
- Residential treatment facilities
- Government agencies
- Private practices
Major New York employers like Northwell Health, NYC Health + Hospitals, and TELUS Digital pay between $70,000 and $77,000 annually.
Complete List of New York Counseling Schools
Get Started
Your professional success in New York’s mental health world starts with picking the right accredited counseling program. Proper accreditation from organizations like CACREP and MPCAC will affect your path to licensure. These credentials also boost your job prospects after graduation.
You’ll find plenty of program options that work in your favor. New York offers specialized programs matched to your career goals, whether you lean toward clinical mental health counseling, school counseling, or rehabilitation counseling. The programs come in different formats. You can choose between traditional campus-based learning or online programs that fit your schedule.
Money and time will shape your choice. Programs take anywhere from 21 months to longer periods to complete. Tuition costs range from $30,000 to $70,000, depending on the school you pick. Many financial aid options can help with these expenses. Merit-based scholarships and specialized grants make the programs more affordable.
Getting licensed follows a clear path after graduation. You’ll need 3,000 supervised practice hours and must pass the NCMHCE exam to become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York. This investment pays off well. Mental health professionals earn median annual salaries of $67,410 in a variety of work settings.
The future looks bright for counseling careers. Job growth is projected at 18% through 2032, which is nowhere near average growth rates. New York leads in employing counseling professionals. This reliable demand suggests your education will reward you professionally for years to come.
You now have the detailed knowledge to choose the right counseling program in New York. The choice you make today will open doors to a career that helps others through life’s challenges.