COURSE CURRICULUM

Marist University’s MA in Clinical Mental Health Counseling program offers a flexible and comprehensive curriculum designed to meet and exceed the requirements set by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) and Office of the Professions. The 60-credit program can be completed in two years through a full-time accelerated plan or over three years with a more flexible schedule, allowing students to tailor their education to their personal and professional commitments. Unlike many master’s programs, Marist requires instruction in all eleven NYSED core curriculum content areas, including Professional Orientation & Ethics, Social & Cultural Foundations of Counseling, Human Growth and Development, Lifestyle and Career Development, Counseling Theory and Practice, Group Dynamics, Assessment and Appraisal, Research and Program Evaluation, Psychopathology, Foundations of Mental Health Counseling, and Clinical Instruction. These foundational courses ensure students gain broad, essential knowledge to better serve diverse client populations. Additionally, the program offers targeted courses that go beyond NYSED requirements, such as Crisis and Trauma Intervention, Psychopharmacology for Counselors, Substance Abuse Counseling, Family and Couples Counseling, and advanced training in Lifestyle and Career Development. These offerings enhance students’ clinical readiness and professional competence. Marist also emphasizes extensive hands-on training, requiring a minimum of 700 hours of supervised clinical field experience through Practicum and Internship placements, surpassing the state’s minimum of 600 hours. This robust clinical component provides students with practical, real-world experience in diverse mental health settings, preparing them to apply theoretical knowledge effectively while honing critical counseling skills under expert supervision. Through this combination of rigorous coursework and immersive clinical practice, the program ensures graduates are well-prepared for licensure, equipped to provide competent and compassionate care, and ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving mental health field.