Overview

The Forensic Mental Health Counseling programme at The City University of New York provides students with the essential academic foundation required for professional licensure as a mental health counselor. This specialised curriculum integrates advanced psychological theories with practical applications within the criminal justice and legal systems.

Developed within the Department of Psychology, the course is specifically designed to meet the educational requirements for a New York State limited permit. Students gain expertise in multicultural awareness, focusing on the intersections of race, class, gender, and sexuality. The curriculum balances rigorous academic research with hands-on clinical fieldwork to ensure graduates are prepared for diverse professional environments.

Why Forensic Mental Health Counseling at The City University of New York?

The institution offers a unique environment where academic excellence meets a mission for social justice. Students benefit from being part of a renowned Department of Psychology that provides access to specialised research groups and expert faculty. The programme is distinguished by its "license-eligible" status, ensuring that the curriculum remains aligned with state professional standards.

Facilities include dedicated research spaces and a Master's Student Research Group that encourages scholarly inquiry. The university’s location and partnerships provide students with a wide array of fieldwork opportunities. These placements allow for real-world learning in settings such as correctional facilities, social service agencies, and mental health clinics.

Tuition Fee Breakdown

International fee: USD 855 per credit
National fee: USD 855 per credit
Local fee: USD 470 per credit

Visit the Fees and Funding section for a breakdown in your local currency.

Syllabus

Modules may include:

Mental Health Counseling
Forensic Psychology
Human Development
Personality
Psychopathology
Counseling
Victimology
Interviewing
Assessment

Careers with Forensic Mental Health Counseling

Graduates are prepared for diverse roles within the mental health and legal sectors, often pursuing careers as licensed mental health counselors. The programme provides a strong foundation for working in victim services, juvenile detention centres, and correctional facilities. Many alumni also find employment within probation and parole agencies or various social service organisations.

The curriculum also serves as an excellent stepping stone for those intending to pursue doctoral-level education in psychology or law. By focusing on forensic clinical settings, the programme ensures that graduates can navigate the complexities of providing mental health support within the justice system. Employment opportunities extend to both public and private sectors dedicated to forensic mental health.

Programme Structure

Courses include:

Mental Health Professionals, Social Science, and the Law

Research Methods and Design

Human Growth and Development

Psychopathology

Clinical Instruction

Counseling and Psychotherapy Methods

Key information

Duration

Full-time
- 24 months

Start dates & application deadlines

Starting 2026-08-28 00:00:00
- Apply before 2026-05-15 00:00:00

Language

English

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Credits

60 SCH

Delivered

On Campus

Campus Location

New York City, United States

Disciplines

Forensic Science Clinical Psychology Counselling Psychology View 767 other Masters in Counselling Psychology in United States

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Academic requirements

GPA

English requirements

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Other requirements

General requirements

A bachelor’s degree from an accredited post-secondary institution or international equivalent with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher.
24 undergraduate credit hours of social sciences, 12 of which are in Psychology, plus Experimental Psychology and Statistical Methods.
A minimum General GRE combined score of 297. The Psychology Subject GRE is not required.

Tuition Fees

Tuition fees are shown in and the most likely applicable fee is shown based on your nationality.

International Applies to you

Applies to you

Non-residents

25650 USD / year

≈ 25650 USD / year
Out-of-State

25650 USD / year

≈ 25650 USD / year
Domestic

Applies to you

In-State

14100 USD / year

≈ 14100 USD / year

Additional Details

Resident:

Full-time - $5,545/semester
Part-time - $470/credit

Living costs

New York City

United States

1819 - 3968 USD / month

The living costs include the total expenses per month, covering accommodation, public transportation, utilities (electricity, internet), books and groceries.

Funding

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

Win a €10000 Scholarship! Deadline: 30 June 2020

Embark on your journey with the Studyportals Scholarship! We're giving away a total of 20,000 euros to help you achieve your dream of studying abroad.

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Scholarships Information

Below you will find Master's scholarship opportunities for Forensic Mental Health Counseling.

Available Scholarships

You are eligible to apply for these scholarships but a selection process will still be applied by the provider.

On this page

About

Overview

Programme Structure

Key information

Duration

Start dates & application deadlines

Language

Prepare for Your English Test

Credits

Delivered

Campus Location

Disciplines

What students do after studying

Academic requirements

English requirements

Prepare for Your English Test

Other requirements

General requirements

Tuition Fees

International Applies to you

Domestic

Additional Details

Living costs

New York City

Funding

Need help with your student visa?

Scholarships Information

Available Scholarships

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