Counseling & Therapy

Dr. Corine Fitzpatrick, Ph.D.
Chair, Counseling and Therapy Dept.

Dr. Corine Fitzpatrick, Director of Mental Health Counseling Programs

Dr. Michelle Bell, Director of Marriage and Family Therapy Program

Dr. Ian Levy, Director of School Counseling Programs and Bilingual Pupil Personnel Services Certificates 
Dr. Dana Brookover, School Counseling Faculty

Department Programs 

• Master of Arts in School Counseling
• Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling
• Master of Science in Marriage and Family Therapy
• Advanced Certificate in School Counseling
• Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling
• Advanced Certificate Bilingual Extension with Master of Arts in School Counseling
• Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Pupil Personnel Services
• Recommended electives for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling
• Recommended electives for College Advising

Masters Program in School Counseling (Leads to Certification in School Counseling)

The program is concerned with fostering the intellectual, social, spiritual, vocational, personal, and professional development of individuals throughout the life span. It is grounded in research and is also shaped by the needs of schools, community agencies, and colleges that require the services of professional counselors. While a theoretical thread is evident in the core coursework, an experiential thread also begins in the first semester. At the end of their preparation, it is expected that counselors-in-training will emerge with certain knowledge, skills and dispositions. They will be able to: assess, facilitate, and guide individual development; enhance the experiences that further human development and ameliorate those that hinder optimum development; work with individuals from diverse ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic backgrounds; and engage in inquiry with respect to emerging professional thought and practice. Most importantly, counselors-in-training will enhance their ability to be empathetic, caring human service providers.

Admission

Applicants for admission into the master degree program in School Counseling must have earned a baccalaureate degree and a suitable preparation in the behavioral sciences. Consideration will be given for teaching experience and for other applicable experience. Students who possess a bachelor degree but do not have relevant background may be required to take prerequisite courses for admission. A Narrative Statement of Interest in the counseling program is required. Two letters of reference are also required. An interview with the Director is recommended prior to admission.

Program Planning

The approved degree program for Counseling consists of 60 credits of course work. The program requires a major paper and a one semester practicum and two semester internship. Periodic consultation with an advisor is required to assure proper sequence and progress in developing competencies as a counselor. Program participants are responsible for giving evidence of having acquired the required competencies and met standards through periodic performance reviews, completion of course and program requirements and for maintaining a B or better average in course work.

New York State Certification. Upon the completion of the Master of Arts degree, SAVE, Child Abuse Recognition and Reporting requirements and DASA training, the student will fulfill the requirements for Provisional certification as a school counselor. The student must file an application on line with the State Education Department and then contact the office of Graduate Education in order to be recommended for certification. Application should be submitted prior to graduation.

Degree Program School Counseling

Required courses: Students in the 60 credit M.A. program seeking school counseling certification must take all the required courses listed below. Students should consult with the Advisor for courses most suitable for their purpose.  Counseling and Therapy Programs are Blended programs, offering up to half of the courses in an Online Synchronous format and the remainder in person.

Masters Program in Mental Health Counseling (Licensure Qualifying in New York)

The mental health counseling program is a 60 credit master's degree program that prepares students to work in mental health settings such as: mental health centers, hospitals, college counseling centers, and residential treatment centers. The Master of Science in Mental Health Counseling is a rigorous program designed to meet the requirements for an independent mental health care license in New York. The primary objective of this program is to train masters level practitioners in assessment and intervention in the mental health care settings. Together with a post-graduate experience requirement and successful completion of a licensure exam, graduates will be able to provide direct clinical and counseling services to patients in a wide range of medical, research, mental health and independent practice settings.

Admission

Applicants for admission into the master degree program in Mental Health Counseling must have earned a baccalaureate degree. Consideration will be given for applicable experiences. Students who possess a bachelor degree but do not have relevant background may be required to take a prerequisite course for admission. A Narrative Statement of Interest in the Mental Health Counseling program is required. Two letters of reference are also required. An interview with the Director is recommended prior to admission.

Program Planning

The Mental Health Program consists of 60 credits. The program requires a major paper and a one semester practicum and two semester internship. Periodic consultation with the academic advisor is required to assure proper sequence and progress in developing competencies as a counselor. Program participants are responsible for giving evidence of having acquired the required competencies and met standards through periodic performance reviews, completion of course and program requirements and for maintaining a B or better average in course work.

Mental Health Counseling Licensure. Manhattan College's program meets the State of New York educational requirements and graduates are license eligible. Upon graduation, students will need to meet the additional requirements for licensure by passing an exam and acquiring the post-graduate clinical experience and supervision. The requirements in other states may vary so students should discuss licensure in other states with their academic advisor.

Degree Program Mental Health Counseling

Students preparing for mental health counseling must earn 57 credits of core courses and 3 credits of an elective course. Students should consult with the academic advisor for 3 credits of an elective course most suitable for their goals. Students must complete a research paper. 

Counseling and Therapy Programs are Blended programs, offering up to half of the courses in an Online Synchronous format and the remainder in person.

Required courses

Masters Program in Marriage and Family Therapy (Licensure Qualifying in New York)

The marriage and family therapy program is a 60 credit program, registered in the New York State Office of Professions. It is designed to educate and train clinicians in the profession of Marriage and Family Therapy. The program includes studying, understanding, and developing the skills to provide therapy based on an integration of contextual, cultural and relational perspectives. Factors taken into account in this approach to treatment include, among others: life span development, family-of-origin, family configuration, culture, gender, living and schooling environment, and ethnicity.  The program fulfills the educational requirements for an independent Marriage and Family Therapy license in New York State. Together with a post-graduate experience requirement and successful completion of a licensure exam, graduates will be able to provide direct clinical therapy services to clients in a wide variety of settings, including private practice, as licensed Marriage and Family Therapists. 

Degree Program Marriage and Family Therapy

Admission

Applicants for admission into the master's degree program in Marriage and Family Therapy must have earned a baccalaureate degree. Consideration will be given for applicable work/life experience. Students who possess a bachelor's degree but do not have relevant background may be required to take a prerequisite course for admission. A Narrative Statement of Interest in the Marriage and Family Therapy program is required. Two letters of reference are also required. An interview with the Director is recommended prior to admission.

Program Planning

The Marriage and Family Therapy program consists of 60 credits. These 60 credits are made up of: 54 credits of core courses and 6 credits of elective courses.  Students should consult with their academic advisor to identify electives most suitable for their areas of clinical interest.  The program also requires a major paper, 2 one-semester practicums and a two-semester internship all completed as part of the 54 core course credits. Periodic consultation with the academic advisor is required to assure proper sequence and progress in developing competencies as a therapist. Program participants are responsible for giving evidence of having acquired the required competencies, having met standards through periodic performance reviews, completing all course and program requirements, and maintaining a B or better average in course work.

Marriage and Family Therapy Licensure. Manhattan College's program meets the State of New York educational requirements and graduates are license eligible. Upon graduation, students will also need to meet the requirements for licensure by passing the national MFT exam and by acquiring the required post-graduate clinical experience and supervision. The requirements in other states may vary so students should discuss licensure in other states with their academic advisor.  

Counseling and Therapy Programs are Blended programs, offering up to half of the courses in an Online Synchronous format and the remainder in person.

Required Courses

Advanced Certificate in School Counseling

Admission

Students must have a master's degree in school counseling from an approved educational institution and possess provisional certification in school counseling or its equivalent. A Narrative Statement of Interest in the counseling program, and two letters of recommendation are required prior to admission.

Program

The Advanced Certificate consists of 21 credits of course work. It emphasizes broader preparation in counseling and related services for advanced responsibilities, including intervention, and in the conduct, supervision, and evaluation of counseling practice. Upon completion of 21 credits, students may apply for New York State permanent certification if they have worked as a school counselor for 2 years.

Required courses

Students must consult with the Program Director to determine appropriate courses for the 6 elective credits.

Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling (Licensure Qualifying in New York)

The Advanced Certificate in mental health counseling program is a 27 credit post master's degree program that prepares students who already have a Master's degree to work in mental health settings such as: mental health centers, hospitals, and residential treatment centers. The Advanced Certificate in Mental Health Counseling is a rigorous program designed to meet the requirements for an independent mental health care license in New York and other states. The primary objective of this program is to train practitioners in assessment and intervention in the mental health care settings. Together with a post degree experience requirement and successful completion of a licensure exam, graduates will be able to provide direct clinical and counseling services to patients in a wide range of medical, research, mental health and independent practice settings.

Admission

Applicants for admission into the Advanced Certificate program in Mental Health Counseling must have earned a master's degree in counseling or counseling psychology. Consideration will be given for applicable experiences. A Narrative Statement of Interest in the Mental Health Counseling program is required. Two letters of reference are also required. An interview with the Director is recommended prior to admission.

Students who have obtained the Master's Degree in Counseling from Manhattan College within the last five years and who plan to apply to the Advanced Certificate Program in Mental Health Counseling may submit a simplified online application.

Program Planning

The Mental Health Program consists of a minimum of 27 credits depending on the appropriateness of the courses already taken on the master's level. Since the advanced certificate and the master's degree in mental health programs are registered in New York State, guidelines in determining which courses and how many must be taken in the advanced certificate will follow that model.  These programs require a major paper (if not taken on the master's degree level) and a practicum and two semester internship. Periodic consultation with an advisor is required to assure proper sequence and progress in developing competencies as a counselor. 

Please see the course listing under the M.S. degree in Mental Health Counseling for the courses that are required. Students in the Advanced Certificate program must review with an advisor which master's level courses they have already taken that might  fulfill the requirements for the M.S. degree and which courses they would need to take. Final determination of accepted courses from a prior program is done by the Program Director.

New York State Licensure

Mental Health. In addition to the students master's degree in counseling or counseling psychology and Manhattan College's advanced certificate in mental health counseling, students will need to meet the additional New York State requirements for licensure by passing an exam and acquiring the post-graduate clinical experience and supervision. 

Advanced Certificate in School Counseling Bilingual Extension

The advanced certificate bilingual extension (ACT CBE) may be taken as part of the M.A. in School Counseling program and/or the Advanced Certificate in School Counseling.  in order to earn eligibility to pursue provisional certification as a bilingual counselor in preschool, elementary and secondary schools. The ACT CBE is 15 credits but students may take 1 of the 5 courses within their 60 credit master's course work. With the Extension, students will need a total 60 combined credits and pass the expressive language fluency exams. 

Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Pupil Personnel Services

Applicants must have a master's degree in school counseling, social work, or school psychology. By completing the Advanced Certificate in Bilingual Pupil Personnel Services (ACT BPPS) program, which consists of 15 credits of coursework, and passing expressive language fluency exams, students may be eligible to pursue certification to work as a bilingual school counselor, school psychologist or social worker.

Students in both the ACT CBE and ACT BPPS programs must independently pass the Bilingual Education Assessment examination in order to complete the requirements for their certificate.

Both the ACT CBE and ACT BPPS programs are registered with the State of New York.

Required Courses

Recommended electives for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling

The electives consist of 9 credits of coursework specifically designed to prepare students for Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counseling. It is also appropriate for those human service professionals who want to enhance their skills as mental health or school counselors. 

Required Courses

Recommended electives for College Advising

The electives consist of 12 credits of coursework specifically designed to prepare college advisors to gain additional expertise in working with students who aspire to go to and be successful in college. The courses were designed with funding from a grant and represent the best research and practice ideas.

Required Courses