Our on-campus master's program in mental health counseling focuses on the development of counseling knowledge and skills, supported by research and other empirical evidence. After completing this program, you will meet the requirements for being license-eligible as a mental health counselor in New York State. Our program is based on a philosophy that emphasizes personal and professional growth, respect for human diversity, multicultural competence, social justice, client strengths and ethical responsibility. The MS in mental health counseling at the University at Buffalo, The State University of New York, is accredited by the Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of February 2018 through February 2028.
In our program you will:
| Academic credential granted | Master of Science (MS) |
|---|---|
| Credits required for completion | 60 |
| Time to completion | 4 full-time semesters plus summer or 5 full-time semesters |
| Course delivery | On campus |
| Careers | Mental health career settings include:
|
| Experiential contact hours | 600 |
| Application deadline | Feb. 1 |
Semester 1
CEP 521 Introduction to Mental Health Counseling
CEP 532 Introduction to Statistical Research
CEP 653 Foundations of Counseling Theory*
CEP 504 Intro to Rehab of Substance Abuse (or CEP Elective)
Semester 2
CEP 615 Legal and Ethical Issues in Counseling
CEP 618 Principles of Counseling Practice*
CEP 634 Multicultural Counseling
CEP 658 Introduction to Group Counseling
Semester 3
CEP 600MH Internship
CEP 586 Assessment in Mental Health Counseling**
CEP 695 Psychopathology & Evidence-based Interventions
Semester 4
CEP 600MH Internship
CEP 541 Human Growth and Development
CEP 664 Process of Consultation**
Semester 5
CEP Elective
CEP Elective
CEP 629 Family Counseling
CEP 680 Career Development
* Prerequisites for internship
** Requires concurrent enrollment in internship
You can complete this program with four semesters of full-time study plus coursework that is taken during the summer between the first and second years.
CEP 548 Coaching for Wellness
CEP 553 Self Care in Service
CEP 566 Wellness and Engagement
CEP 611 The Mindful Therapist
CEP 616 Grief Counseling
CEP 644 Counseling Children and Adolescents
CEP 645 Intro to School Counseling
CEP 661 Medical/Psychosocial Aspects of Disability and Chronic Illness
CEP 683 Vocational Placement Process
Additional electives are available, and vary by semester.
CEP 548, 553, 566 and 611 are offered through the Department of Counseling, School and Educational Psychology's advanced certificate program in mindful counseling for wellness and engagement.
Six credits of CEP 600MHC Internship in Mental Health Counseling are taken during third and fourth semesters in residency. You are required to complete a total 600 hours of on-site agency time in addition to attending the weekly internship class on campus. You will receive supervision from the on-site clinical supervisor as well as supervision and didactic instruction in the CEP 600MHC Internship course over the span of the clinical internship.
Concurrently with CEP 600MHC Internship, you must also enroll in:
CEP 586 Assessment in Mental Health Counseling (during semester 3)
CEP 664 Process of Consultation (during semester 4)
In an effort to make the application process more equitable, the GRE/MAT is no longer required for admissions consideration for those applying to this program through the fall 2023 semester. If you still plan to take the GRE/MAT exam, you can send your scores through the testing agency, and they will automatically be added to your application; however, they are not required for admission consideration to this program.
You must have a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution.
Submit your completed online application, which includes:
Former/Maiden Name: Please provide us with your former/maiden name if you have one. When requesting transcripts, please ask the sending institution to indicate your current name and former/maiden name.
Admission Decision: The admission decision will be communicated to you as soon as review is complete. The decision is based on a number of factors and is the result of a thorough and deliberate process. All decisions are final and cannot be appealed.
In order to qualify for the in-state residency tuition rate, you are required to provide residency documentation indicating you have lived in New York State (NYS) 12 months prior to your semester start date.
If accepted, you will need to upload 3 documents to qualify for the in-state tuition rate. See Required Documents for Residency Application for more information.
All financial forms and supporting documentation with required signatures must be uploaded with your application, and must be dated within one year of your intended enrollment date.
If you are currently unable to take the IELTS, PTE or TOEFL tests because they are canceled due to the Coronavirus (COVID-19), the University at Buffalo will accept the Duolingo English Test (DET) for proof of English proficiency. This test can be taken online, in your own home. More information can be found on the Graduate School’s website.
The TOEFL iBT® Special Home Edition is a safe and convenient option for students who are unable to take the TOEFL iBT test at a test center due to public health concerns.
New York State prides itself in the high quality of its licensed and certified professionals. For the protection of its citizens, each license and certificate has requirements that individuals must meet in order to be licensed or certified in New York State. SUNY’s academic programs leading to licensure or certification are carefully designed to meet and exceed these State requirements. This is a role SUNY plays in protecting the public. Other states frequently have their own requirements, so if your goal is to practice in another state, this disclosure will help you check to see what that state requires.
Enrolled students and prospective students are strongly encouraged to contact their state’s licensure entity using the links provided in the full disclosure document to review all licensure and certification requirements imposed by their state(s) of choice.
We have a collection of frequently asked questions that may help you. If your questions are still unanswered, we are glad to help! Contact our admission office.
Graduate School of Education
366 Baldy Hall, North Campus
716-645-2110
gseinfo@buffalo.edu
You are required to have daily access to a reliable broadband connection and a computer that meets university computing standards. You are also expected to have basic computer competency before beginning your coursework.
