Counseling Programs offered at Dominican University NY

Dominican University’s counseling programs prepare you to become a thoughtful and professional practitioner who demonstrates ethical purpose while serving the needs of diverse communities. The training you receive focuses on the latest theories and techniques of counseling and psychotherapy. You get the skills that mental health agencies seek.

Your education centers on developing competency in diagnosis, assessment, client promotion, effective communication, and treatment planning. You learn to apply current law and professional ethics to specific client situations while building your knowledge of how to implement interventions with clients from diverse cultural communities. This foundation blends long-established and evidence-based theories with clinical, professional, and ethical skills.

The program structure creates an environment where you work with faculty members who are all practicing clinicians. Small class sizes, with a maximum of 20 students, allow for customized attention and meaningful interaction. Instruction in various orientations—including traditional, innovative, and alternative approaches—helps you develop excellent clinical skills that prepare you for ground practice.

Dominican’s practicum placement system stands out for its effectiveness. The university maintains partnerships with over 50 community agencies. This makes 100 percent placement of trainees in the field possible. This extensive network means you gain hands-on experience in professional settings before graduation. The results speak for themselves: about 90 percent of graduates become licensed Marriage and Family Therapists or registered MFT associates.

You have flexibility in scheduling your coursework around work commitments. Classes meet during late afternoon, evening, and weekend time slots. This makes it practical to pursue your degree while maintaining employment. The curriculum design supports your career goals by leading to licensures in Marriage and Family Therapy, Professional Clinical Counselor, or both, depending on your chosen path.

Graduates enter the field well-prepared to serve as marriage and family therapists, counselors, and mental health promoters. Trainees and alumni from Dominican are sought after by agencies in the Bay Area and beyond. This reflects the quality of education and preparation you receive through these counseling programs at Dominican University NY.

What counseling programs does Dominican offer?

You can choose from three program pathways within Dominican University’s counseling psychology offerings. Each is designed to match different career goals and licensure requirements. The Master of Science in Counseling Psychology serves as the foundation for all options, with variations in unit requirements based on your professional objectives.

The foundational MS in Counseling Psychology is a 43-unit program that prepares you to provide consultation, case management, education and training in settings of all types. This option works well if you plan to pursue doctoral work or enter counseling specialties such as community college counseling, professional life coaching, somatic therapies, health sciences, research, managed care, community outreach and career services. Any vocation requiring excellent communication skills for personal and professional success becomes available with this degree.

California licensure seekers can select one of two concentrations. The MS in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Marriage and Family Therapy is a 60-unit program structured to meet the requirements of the Business and Professions Code, Section 4980.37 and SB 33 for licensure as a Marriage and Family Therapist. This concentration gives you the training California’s licensing board requires for MFT practice.

You can also pursue the MS in Counseling Psychology with a concentration in Professional Clinical Counseling, also a 60-unit program. This concentration lines up with the requirements of the Business and Professions Code, 4999.10-4999.122 and SB 788 for licensure as a Professional Clinical Counselor. Both 60-unit concentrations include the core counseling psychology curriculum plus additional coursework required for your chosen licensure path.

The program structure at Dominican University New York allows you to pursue either MFT or PCC licensure on its own. You can also work toward both credentials if your career plans require dual licensure. Your choice depends on whether you want to specialize in marriage and family therapy, focus on professional clinical counseling, or develop expertise in both areas to maximize your career flexibility in mental health services.

Internships/Practicum at DUNY

Hands-on experience forms the foundation of your education in Dominican University’s counseling programs. Practicum education represents what the Council on Social Work Education calls the signature pedagogy of professional training. It integrates academic knowledge with social work values, ethics and practical skills needed for relationship-centered practice.

Your field experience unfolds in two year-long internships that run from August through May. The Generalist year requires 400 to 480 hours of supervised practice. This translates to about 14 to 16 hours or two days per week. The commitment increases to 500 to 600 hours in your Advanced Generalist year, which works out to about 17 to 20 hours or three days per week. You accumulate 1,080 hours of supervised practice and internship experience in partnering social service agencies by completion.

The university maintains affiliations with over 300 agencies in Cook, Lake and surrounding counties. This large network expands to about 350 agencies in the Chicago area and offers hands-on research and clinical opportunities. The online and hybrid program extends internship placements to students residing in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, Wisconsin and Iowa for those studying remotely.

You participate in a Practicum Readiness Interview with the practicum office before entering the field. Staff work with you on resume development and cover letter preparation during this meeting. They conduct mock interviews to prepare you for placement seeking. This process helps clarify your passions and goals as you begin your career path.

Placement options match six available tracks in the Advanced Generalist year. The university partners with agencies serving marginalized and minoritized populations that share a commitment to social justice. Advanced Generalist year students interested in global viewpoints can pursue international placement opportunities through the Global Social Work track. This depends on availability and current public health or socio-political factors.

What sets Dominican University NY apart?

Several distinctive factors position Dominican University New York as a compelling choice for your counseling education. The university holds accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. This ensures your degree meets rigorous academic standards recognized across the profession. The accreditation validates the quality of education you receive and supports your professional credibility after graduation.

Strong institutional outcomes support your success prospects. The MBA program achieves graduation rates between 90 and 91 percent. Undergraduate programs in management maintain a 60 percent graduation rate. The national average four-year graduation rate is 49 percent. Dominican University NY performs well above typical completion measures. These figures reflect the university’s commitment to student success and program completion.

Dominican University NY operates as a Hispanic-serving Institution. It maintains a special focus on promoting education among Hispanic communities while serving students from all backgrounds. The university is 72 years old and brings over seven decades of educational experience to your learning environment. The institution maintains a moderately selective admission policy with an acceptance rate between 70 and 79 percent. This creates a student body that balances accessibility with academic preparation.

Your educational experience extends beyond the classroom through strong student life opportunities. The university competes in 20 sports as part of Division II of the NCAA and hosts over 30 chartered clubs and activities. You have access to a year-round intramural program, weight room, exercise equipment and outdoor spaces designed to help you balance academic responsibilities with physical activity.

The university’s enrollment size ranges from 1,000 to 1,999 students. This creates an intimate learning environment where you build meaningful connections with faculty and peers. The smaller scale complements the individual attention you receive in your counseling programs at Dominican University NY.

Next steps

Taking action starts with submitting your materials to the Office of Graduate Admissions. University requirements state that you need to pay a $50 non-refundable application fee made payable to Dominican University. Your application packet must include official transcripts that indicate receipt of a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution.

Timing matters when applying to counseling programs at Dominican University NY. Prospective students who want to become competitive applicants should apply and send documents soon. The admissions office will not review your application until it is complete. Make sure all required materials arrive together to speed up the process.

You have options even if you’re not ready to commit to a full degree program. Dominican University New York allows you to enroll as a non-matriculated student. This means you can take up to two courses to get teacher certification or personal enrichment without pursuing a degree. This arrangement lets you experience the program before making a full commitment. Admission as a non-matriculated student does not guarantee admission to a degree program. You must reapply and meet all university and program requirements if you later decide to pursue a degree. Some credits from your non-matriculated coursework may transfer depending on program-specific limits.