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Mental Health Counseling, MS

Location
  • Westchester
Associated College
Dyson College of Arts and Sciences
CACREP logo.

This Master’s in Mental Health Counseling is accredited by the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP).

An Impactful Degree for Mental Health Counseling

With our 60-credit master’s in mental health counseling, you’ll be ready to flourish as a licensed practitioner in mental health counseling to provide clinical services to clients at agencies, hospitals, and private practices.

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Mental Health Counseling Program Mission Statement

The mission of the Mental Health Counseling program is to develop and foster a curriculum and climate that promotes the values and mission statement of Pace University, as well as employ the most recently published standards of the Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP). We are committed to providing personalized instruction to our students to assist in the development and enhancement of their personal qualities and characteristics, knowledge, skills, and attitudes in becoming culturally competent and interpersonally-skilled mental health counselors working with children, adolescents, families, and adults in a variety of settings. Our academic training program operates within multicultural communities, embracing diversity across various demographic and ideological areas and adheres to the ACA Code of Ethics, promoting an environment of respect, safety, and trust. All members are encouraged to critically engage with the prejudices and biases, fostering a culture of respect for diversity, inclusion, and equity, while continually developing professionally relevant knowledge and skills. Lastly, we are committed to ongoing self-evaluation and growth of the program and the students, while maintaining a curriculum that meets the changing needs of students coming to Pace University’s Mental Health Counseling program that provides them an exceptional education as a mental health counselor.

Mental Health Counseling Program Objectives

  1. Students will demonstrate knowledge of the history, philosophy, licensure, supervision, and ethics in the profession.
  2. Students will show knowledge of multicultural characteristics, counseling competencies, advocacy, and social justice issues related to diverse groups.
  3. Students will show knowledge of lifespan development, learning, and abnormal development including addictions, trauma, wellness, and resilience.
  4. Students will show knowledge of career counseling theories and strategies including ethical considerations.
  5. Students will demonstrate knowledge and skills in counseling in various modalities(individual, group, family) including suicide and crisis interventions.
  6. Students will be knowledgeable of theories and practice of group counseling and participate in small group activity.
  7. Students will show knowledge and skills in gathering, analyzing, interpreting and presenting data about clients and be familiar with assessment with DSM-5 TR.
  8. Students will show understanding of research concepts and be able to interpret research literature and program evaluation.
  9. Through supervised practice students will integrate knowledge and skills of a successful counselor.
  10. Through self-reflection, students will develop an understanding of self in the process of counseling and show a personal approach to counseling.

A Growing Job Market

  • An integration of the understandings of cognitive-behavioral, existential-humanistic, and developmental counseling approaches
  • The opportunity to develop a range of skills that will serve students in the variety of situations they will encounter professionally.
  • An emphasis on hands-on skill development, as students become active participants in their education through training groups, role-playing, the observation of video vignettes of counseling sessions, and taping of practice sessions.

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The curriculum emphasizes hands-on skills development using role-playing and group exercise, as well as interview techniques, research methods, and internships.

Students who complete this program with distinction are encouraged to apply to our PhD in Mental Health Counseling program at Pace University.

Add Opportunities and Experiences

This program offers small classes and one-on-one interaction with professors and supervisors, providing you with the confidence and connections to become an engaged, caring, and professional practitioner.

A strong community of teaching professionals and alumni in the field provide a supportive network that will help you throughout your career.

The department offers speaker series and events on campus with industry professionals that ensure you’ll be privy to the latest developments in research, techniques, and practice.

Students receive hands-on experience through supervised introductory mental health counseling practicum and internships, which provide 700 hours in partnering clinical and treatment settings.

You’ll work alongside top clinical professionals in the classroom and at some of the most prestigious institutions in the New York metropolitan area, including NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, St. Vincent’s Hospital and Montefiore Medical Center.

We have students from all over the United States and from diverse backgrounds and experiences. Many students in this program are international students. There is great generational diversity, too, resulting in a very rich and rewarding environment, especially in counseling

“Our approach to teaching is simple–teach students with respect. It’s the same approach I’ve found effective in counseling. At Pace, you learn in intimate settings that allow you to develop strong relationships with faculty and other students. You truly become part of a community.” —Rostyslaw Robak, PhD, Professor of Psychology

Professional Associations

Students and faculty can interact, join, and present at regional, state, and national association conferences. This includes developing partnerships to conduct critical research on topics impacting individuals seeking mental health counseling services and beyond. Faculty have a longstanding and collaborative relationship with the following key organizations, allowing them to guide students in establishing professional connections during their time in the program.

Choose Your Career

Graduates of this program are eligible for New York State certification in mental health counseling and are prepared for a variety of professional counseling positions as well as advanced training in specific theoretical approaches and training at the doctoral level.

Career Options

Our graduates go on to rewarding careers as:

  • Behavioral health counselors
  • Behavioral therapists
  • Care coordinators
  • Case managers
  • Child and adolescent counselors
  • Counselors in private practice
  • Dual-diagnosis clinicians
  • Directors of counseling
  • Grief and bereavement counselors
  • Program directors
  • Substance abuse counselors

Where Graduates are Employed

Alumni work at esteemed institutions such as:

  • Montefiore Medical Center
  • Monte Nido
  • NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital
  • Phelps Memorial Hospital
  • St. Vincent’s Hospital
  • St. Christopher’s Inc.
  • St. Christopher’s Inn
  • Visiting Nurse Service of New York

What You Need To Know

The MS program is open to applicants with bachelor’s degree in psychology or a closely related field.

CACREP Annual Assessment Reports

MS and PhD Programs in Mental Health Counseling-Field Placement Site Supervisor Training (PDF)
Please read and review the PowerPoint Training and the MS and/or corresponding PhD Field Placement Practicum and Internship Handbook as part of our CACREP Accreditation Requirement.

MS and PhD Programs in Mental Health Counseling Field Placement Site Supervisor Training Verification (PDF)
Site supervisors are required to complete this form each semester that they sponsor MS and/or PhD Practicum or Internship students as part of our CACREP Accreditation Requirement.

  • The following is Pace University’s Master of Science Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program’s annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

    The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as: 1 - Ineffective, 2 - Somewhat Effective, 3 – Adequate, 4 – Effective, 5 – Very Effective.

    We are continuing to use the standard baseline minimum of 80% for this academic year. Additionally, we have included Adequate, Effective, and Very Effective in the five-point scale to calculate our aggregate outcome.

    86% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives. 99% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

    The PO Assessment Plan is divided into the following areas:

    1.   Demographic and other Characteristics of Applicants, Students, and Graduates

    • Number of Students Enrolled: 165
    • Number of Graduates: 43
    • Pass Rate on Credentialing Exams: 100% (1 of 1 tests)
    • Completion Rates: 85%
    • Job Placement Rates: 90% based on survey
    • Field Placement Rates: 100%

    2.   Aggregated collected and analyzed data related to each of our MS specific Program learning outcomes. This data is accrued from the following where pertinent:

    • Student Data
    • Graduates/Alumni
    • Site Supervisors
    • Employers of program graduates
    • Aggregate data of student professional dispositions

    View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2023-2024 (PDF)

  • The following is Pace University’s Master of Science Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program’s annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

    The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as:

    1. Ineffective
    2. Somewhat Effective
    3. Adequate
    4. Effective
    5. Very Effective.

    As was done last year, we are continuing to use the standard baseline minimum of 80% for this academic year. Additionally, we have included Adequate, Effective, and Very Effective in the five-point scale to calculate our aggregate outcome.

    88% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives. 98% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

    The PO Assessment Plan is divided into the following areas:

    1. Demographic and other Characteristics of Applicants, Students, and Graduates

    • Number of Students Enrolled: 165
    • Number of Graduates: 56
    • Pass Rate on Credentialing Exams: 100% (6 of 6 tests)
    • Completion Rates: 100%
    • Job Placement Rates: 95% based on survey

    2. Aggregated collected and analyzed data related to each of our MS specific Program learning outcomes. This data is accrued from the following where pertinent:

    • Student Data
    • Graduates/Alumni
    • Site Supervisors
    • Employers of program graduates
    • Aggregate data of student professional dispositions

    View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2022-2023 (PDF)

  • The following is Pace University’s Master of Science Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program’s annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

    The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as:

    1. Ineffective
    2. Somewhat Effective
    3. Adequate
    4. Effective
    5. Very Effective.

    As was done last year, we are continuing to use the standard baseline minimum of 80% for this academic year. Additionally, we have included Adequate, Effective, and Very Effective in the five-point scale to calculate our aggregate outcome.

    90% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives. 97% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

    The PO Assessment Plan is divided into the following areas:

    1. Demographic and other Characteristics of Applicants, Students, and Graduates

    • Number of Students Enrolled: 155
    • Number of Graduates: 43
    • Pass Rate on Credentialing Exams: 75% (3 of 4 tests)
    • Completion Rates: 98%
    • Job Placement Rates: 81% (93% based on survey)

    2. Aggregated collected and analyzed data related to each of our MS specific Program learning outcomes. This data is accrued from the following where pertinent:

    • Student Data
    • Graduates/Alumni
    • Site Supervisors
    • Employers of program graduates
    • Aggregate data of student professional dispositions

    View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2021-2022 (PDF)

  • The following is Pace University’s Masters of Science Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program’s annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

    The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five-point scale which is constituted as:

    1. Ineffective
    2. Somewhat Effective
    3. Adequate
    4. Effective
    5. Very Effective

    Our previous program goals have been baselined at a minimum standard of 85% to designate “meeting standard” or above. As a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, while students continued to receive high quality academic instruction and strong clinical field placement experiences, both transitioned to remote platforms. The results of our annual Program Objectives assessment were impacted due to classes and field placements transitioning to remote platforms. This resulted in all of our constituencies adapting to multiple modalities, including academic instruction, clinical telehealth services and provisions, and remote supervision. Many of our students needed to secure multiple new placements as their original sites either fully paused services or could not support the requirements associated with CACREP standards and/or New York State Office of the Professions regulations. As such, we have adjusted our baseline minimum standard from 85% to 80% for this academic year to reflect these adjustments. Additionally, we have also included Adequate, Effective, and Very Effective in the five-point scale to calculate our aggregate outcome. While this baseline adjustment has been made, the program will continue to document, review and report any changes based on the 85% original baseline.

    97% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Adequate, Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

    1. The PO Assessment Plan is divided into the following areas:

    • Demographic and other Characteristics of Applicants, Students, and Graduates
      • Number of Students Enrolled: 134
      • Number of Graduates: 30
      • Pass Rate on Credentialing Exams: 100%
      • Program Completion Rate: 97%
      • Job Placement Rates: 63% (75% based on survey)

    2. Aggregated collected and analyzed data related to each of our MS specific Program learning outcomes. This data is accrued from the following where pertinent:

    • Student Data
    • Graduates/Alumni
    • Site Supervisors
    • Employers of program graduates
    • Aggregate data of student professional dispositions

    View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2020-21 (PDF)

  • The following is Pace University’s Masters of Science Program Objectives (POs) Assessment Report for the program’s annual review. This plan includes input from the various stakeholders including: aggregate student assessment data that addresses student knowledge, skills, and professional dispositions; demographic and other characteristics of applicants, students, and graduates; and data from systematic follow-up studies of graduates, site supervisors, and employers of program graduates.

    The assessment data compiled and analyzed is based on a five point scale which is constituted as:

    1. Ineffective
    2. Somewhat Effective
    3. Adequate
    4. Effective
    5. Very Effective

    Program goals are baselined at a minimum standard of 85% to designate “meeting standard” or above.

    94% of our stakeholders indicated that the program was Effective or Very Effective in meeting the program objectives.

    The Program Objectives (PO) Assessment Plan is divided into the following areas:

    1. Demographic and other Characteristics of Applicants, Students, and Graduates
      • Number of Students Enrolled: 133
      • Number of Graduates: 34
      • Pass Rate on Credentialing Exams: 75%
      • Program Completion Rate: 92%
      • Job Placement Rates: 83%
    2. Aggregated collected and analyzed data related to each of our MS specific Program learning outcomes. This data is accrued from the following where pertinent:
      • Student Data
      • Graduates/Alumni
      • Site Supervisors
      • Employers of program graduates
      • Aggregate data of student professional dispositions

    View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2019-20 (PDF)

  • Part I: Narrative

    During the 2018-2019 academic year the faculty and staff of the Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling program at Pace University conducted an annual review of the program.

    We continued to focus on emphasizing ethical standards in the key practice courses within the master’s program as had been indicated in our earlier program evaluations. We focus on ethics as they relate to practicum experiences and internships as well as in our other courses. We continue to emphasize the importance of ethics and multicultural diversity in the foundations course, and the introductory counseling courses, as well as in our group counseling, family counseling, social and cultural foundations, and our elective LGBT course.

    The department now requires that all students complete a new course, MHC 632: Orientation to Addictions: Etiology, Screening, Treatment, in our MS in Mental Health Counseling program, based on the feedback that we received from our CACREP Site Visit in May 2018. This reduced our electives by three credits and increased our core courses from 45 credits to a total 48 credits. The 12 remaining credits are either elective and/or required courses for our General, Trauma and Loss or Substance Abuse Tracks. We instituted this change immediately after the site visit.

    Finally, the department determined, in the previous year, that additional faculty in the field of mental health counseling was needed. We hired two new full-time faculty members in the counselor education field, Dr. Poonam Doshi and Dr. Sara Juncaj. They began their assignments to the graduate programs in the fall of 2018.

    View complete Program Objectives (PO) Annual Assessment Report for 2018-19 (PDF)

    Part II: Graduates and Pass, Completion, and Job Placement Rates

    1. Number of Graduates: 37
    2. Pass rates on the National Counselor Examination:
      • Date: October, 2018
        • # tested: 7
        • # passed: 7
    3. Program Completion Rate: 100% FOR 2018-19 Academic Year
    4. Estimate of Job Placement Rates: The department is in the process of surveying of recent graduates. Approximately 70% of our graduates are currently employed in a counseling or a counseling-related capacity.

  • Part I: Narrative

    During the 2017-2018 academic year the faculty and staff of the Master of Science program in Mental Health Counseling at Pace University conducted an annual review of the program.

    We focused on following up on emphasizing ethical standards in the key practice courses within the program. We have included this focus as it relates to internships, practicum experiences, as well as other courses. We stress the importance of ethics and multicultural diversity in the foundations course, the introductory counseling courses, as well as the group counseling, family counseling, social and cultural foundations, and the elective LGBT course.

    In the past year, the practicum course has evolved into a robust preparation for the internship courses. Dr. Michael Tursi, a new addition to our department with a doctorate in counselor education from the University of Rochester, has brought fresh perspectives into this course as well as into the doctoral-level internship course.

    Finally, the department determined that additional faculty in the field of mental health counseling was needed. We have hired two new full-time faculty in the counselor education field to start in the Fall, 2018 semester.

    Part II: Graduates and Pass, Completion, and Job Placement Rates

    1. Number of Graduates: 27
    2. Pass rates on the National Counselor Examination:
      • Date: April, 2017
        • # tested: 5
        • # passed: 3
      • Date: October, 2017
        • # tested: 5
        • # passed: 5
    3. Program Completion Rate: 100% for 2017-18 Academic Year
    4. Estimate of Job Placement Rates: Approximately 60% of our graduates are currently employed in a counseling or a counseling-related capacity.

  • During the 2016-2017 academic year, the faculty and staff of the Master of Science program in Mental Health Counseling at Pace University did an annual evaluation of the program. This year, we focused on the “capstone” courses: Internship I and II, as well as the Integrating Seminar.

    We examined five specific “course learning outcomes” that are associated with these three courses: Integrating Seminar (674) and with the Internship/Field Experience (675 and 676) courses. In our faculty’s review, we found that on four of the five learning outcomes the goals are being achieved on at least an adequate level by a large majority of students. In the area of ethical standards and in the area of developing counseling strategies with clients of diverse multicultural populations we found that students continued to need increased learning opportunities in both ethics issues and working with diverse populations.

    As a result, we will continue to emphasize ethical standards and multicultural counseling perspectives. We will also include a separate practicum course in the curriculum as a separate course.

    There will not be any other substantial program changes at this time.

    Part II: Graduates and Pass, Completion, and Job Placement Rates

    1. Number of Graduates: 33
    2. Pass rates on the National Counselor Examination:
      • Date: April, 2016
        • # tested: 7
        • # passed: 4
      • Date: October, 2016
        • # tested: 4
        • # passed: 6
    3. Program Completion Rate: 100% for 2016-17 Academic Year
    4. Estimate of Job Placement Rates: The results of our alumni survey indicated that approximately 63% of our graduates are employed in a counseling or counseling-related capacity. Our anecdotal assessment appears to be somewhat higher, perhaps in the range of 75-80%.
    1. Number of Graduates: 30
    2. Pass rates on the National Counselor Examination:
      • Date: April, 2015
        • # tested: 7
        • # passed: 6
      • Date: October, 2015
        • # tested: 7
        • # passed: 6
    3. Program Completion Rate: 100% for 2015-16 Academic Year
    4. Estimate of Job Placement Rates: Our alumni survey indicated that approximately 60% of our graduates are employed in a counseling or counseling-related capacity. Our anecdotal assessment appears to be somewhat higher, probably in the area of 75%.