MA in Mental Health Counseling in Hempstead United States | Hofstra University

The Master of Arts in Mental Health Counseling program equips students with the necessary education to become licensed mental health counselors in New York. This 60-credit curriculum covers 11 key content areas mandated by the New York State Education Department under Article 163 of the Education Law, which recognized mental health counseling as a licensed profession in 2006. Students complete 48 required credits and 12 elective credits (including 6 preferred electives), along with 600 hours of supervised internship at approved mental health facilities. An optional 300-hour additional internship is available as a preferred elective. Graduates will meet the academic requirements to sit for New York's mental health counselor licensure exam.

This clinically oriented program develops the knowledge, abilities, and professional attitudes needed for effective mental health counseling in diverse communities. It features a modern training lab for skill development and follows a structured 2.5-year sequence (including summers), culminating in clinical internship experiences during the final semesters.

After earning their degree, graduates become eligible to take the licensure exam and may apply for a limited practice permit valid for up to 24 months (with possible 12-month extension) while completing the mandatory 3,000 hours of post-graduate supervised clinical work for full licensure.

Licensed mental health counselors work in diverse environments such as private practices, community organizations, healthcare systems, hospitals, government agencies, addiction treatment centers, and corporate employee assistance programs.