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Our program

The Masters of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program at Baruch College prepares its graduates to be professional practitioners in a variety of mental health settings (e.g. clinics, hospitals, counseling centers, outreach programs, and private practice settings). Students graduating from this program will be prepared to be generalists in mental health counseling with an added focus in the area of “health counseling.”

The program provides students with a comprehensive background that emphasizes both academic coursework and supervised clinical internship training.  This 60-credit master’s program operates on a cohort model whereby all students complete the same program of study. Enrollment is offered on a full-time basis only, and the program is designed in a lock-step sequence where courses taken each semester are outlined in advance.

About the field

Mental health counseling is a field within the practice of professional counseling. Mental health counselors work with individuals, families, and groups to address and treat emotional and mental disorders in order to promote positive mental and behavioral health outcomes.

The mental health counseling program is designed specifically to address the needs of those training for the mental health counseling license. When graduating from the program, students are prepared for practice in a variety of settings with diverse populations. The program is approved by the New York State Education Department and meets all of the NYSED standards. After 3000 hours of supervised post-degree experience, a graduate of this program would be eligible to take an exam for licensure.

Our cohort approach

We currently only accept students who are able to attend full time during the day. During the course of study, internship and practicum are required when not on campus. Applicants currently working in appropriate mental health settings may obtain support of their employer to complete this program once they are admitted.

Sponsorship involves making an agreement to support the student in the program by maintaining an employment or internship relationship along with a commitment to providing a supervised internship experience in the second year of study.

Admission requirements

Applicants must possess a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution (or equivalent) from an international institution, and relevant professional or volunteer experience. Applicants should also have a minimum of 15 credits in psychology with courses in the following required areas:

• Abnormal Psychology
• Statistics
• Research Methods/Experimental

Applicants should provide a personal statement including discussion of related course work, work, internship, and/or personal experiences. They should submit three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the applicants’ professional and academic experience. Please provide at least two academic references as well as a listing of all undergraduate and graduate courses taken in psychology and the grades received in each.

While there is a minimum GPA required for admission, and most successful applicants will possess a strong GPA, there are always exceptional circumstances. These include students who performed poorly years ago but have since performed well in academic or work settings, and students who have had health or extenuating personal issues that may have impacted their academic performance, but subsequently sustained a higher level of performance. Please address any such issues in the personal statement.

Our faculty

The faculty comprises active clinicians and researchers with clinical, supervisory, medical center, hospital, agency, and private practice backgrounds.

The core faculty who teach and supervise student progress are concerned about the challenges, and difficulties inherent in the human condition; our curriculum reflects these concerns as well as fulfills New York State requirements for licensure as a mental health counselor. We address cultural and social issues as they emerge and change in our diverse and challenging world.  Graduates will be prepared to work with adolescents, adults, families, groups, and organizations, using their counseling skills. We believe that counseling professionals ought to have a lifelong learning commitment that will support their continued professional development and commitment to human growth.

• Dr. Nita Lutwak
• Dr. Glen Albright
• Dr. Daniele Artistico
• Rose Marie Chatterton, MA – Fieldwork Coordinator & Co-Director
• Dr. Mindy Engle-Friedman
• Dr. Samuel Johnson, Co-Director
• Dr. Susan Locke
• Dr. Angela Pinto
• Dr. Elizabeth Reis
• Dr. David Sitt