Mental Health Counseling, MS

• A personal statement explaining to the Graduate Admission Committee why you would like to pursue the program of graduate study you have chosen. Additional information regarding your academic performance, as well as professional experience, may also be included in the supplement.
• A resume or outline describing at least the past five years of your employment history and any significant community, professional, or college extracurricular activities.
• Applicants need 2 letters of recommendation. Letters should be from academic or professional references that can knowledgeably comment on your ability to successfully complete graduate study. Include recognitions and achievements (e.g. licenses, publications, and awards).
• All Official Transcripts: Transcripts from every accredited college or university attended (not just the degree granting institution) must be sent either to Pace University, directly from the academic institution electronically or by mail, or forwarded by the applicant in sealed envelopes from the academic institution.

Per credit: $1,450 | Total cost of program: $91,200
*Tuition based on current year and subject to change.

Fall Term
All Students: January 1 (then space available until January 15)

Spring Term
All Students: April (then space available until July 15)

Make an appointment to meet with you admission counselor.

Every admitted student is automatically considered for all available financial aid options, assessed based on both availability and individual need. Financial resources include:

• Merit-based Scholarships: Awards of up to $7,000, automatically considered during the application process.
• Graduate Assistantships: Opportunities for hands-on experience while earning financial support.
• Endowed Scholarships: Awards funded by generous donors to support student success.
• Federal Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loan: A federal loan program with favorable terms.
• Graduate/Professional Direct PLUS Loan: For students who need additional funding.
• Work-Study Programs: Part-time work opportunities to help fund your education.
• Military Benefits: Includes the GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program, and Pace’s Veteran Tuition Scholarship.

For more information about affordability and the full range of financial aid options, visit Pace University Financial Aid.

GI Bill® is a registered trademark of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

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 2020–2021 (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 2019–2020 (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 2018–2019 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 2017–2018 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 2016–2017 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 2015-2016 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%.