Online master’s in mental health counseling
NYU Steinhardt offers a master’s degree in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness, available online and on-campus. Designed to make top-tier mental health counseling preparation accessible nationwide, the online modality equips you to deliver vital mental health expertise directly to communities that need it most.
60
graduate-level credits
Complete coursework online full- or part-time while building clinical skills through practicum and internship experiences.
1
on-campus clinical immersion
Participate in a multi-day immersion at NYU in New York City focused on group dynamics and counseling skill development.
700
clinical training hours
Work with real clients through a 100-hour practicum and a 600-hour internship sequence at NYU-approved sites near your community.
21
months to complete
Earn your mental health counseling master’s online in as few as five terms.
Why NYU’s MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program
NYU Steinhardt values compassionate professionals ready to change lives through the lens of equity and inclusivity.
Explore how our Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program combines rigorous mental health counseling preparation with the values and experiences that shape effective, ethical practice.
Self-awareness as clinical foundation
Develop the self-awareness essential to ethical counseling through structured reflection, counseling simulations, wellness practices, and experiential learning.
Social justice as core curriculum
Study counseling through an equity-centered perspective that integrates multicultural competence, systems thinking, advocacy, and community well-being into every course.
Rigorous training for ethical practice
Progress from counseling simulations to supervised practicum and internship experiences that develop clinical judgment, professional confidence, and ethical decision-making.
NYU excellence, wherever you are
Learn from core NYU faculty who are present across the learning experience while completing online coursework and approved clinical placements near where you live.
Self-awareness as clinical foundation
Develop the self-awareness essential to ethical counseling through structured reflection, counseling simulations, wellness practices, and experiential learning.
Social justice as core curriculum
Study counseling through an equity-centered perspective that integrates multicultural competence, systems thinking, advocacy, and community well-being into every course.
Rigorous training for ethical practice
Progress from counseling simulations to supervised practicum and internship experiences that develop clinical judgment, professional confidence, and ethical decision-making.
NYU excellence, wherever you are
Learn from core NYU faculty who are present across the learning experience while completing online coursework and approved clinical placements near where you live.
Who Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness is for
Whether you are a recent graduate, a career changer, or a professional looking to enhance your expertise, we welcome students from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds.
In the online modality of the Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness program, you will develop as a counselor in stages, beginning with foundational coursework, progressing to practicing in secure virtual settings, and ultimately supporting real clients through practicums and internships.
Careers in mental health counseling
Graduates of the mental health counseling master’s program may serve as counselors in a host of settings, including:
- Community mental health programs
- Family service centers
- Hospitals
- Outpatient care centers
- Outreach programs
- Public and private agencies
- Substance use treatment centers
- University counseling centers
Counseling career outlook
17%
projected job growth for mental health counselors through 2034
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2026
#6
in Best Social Services Jobs for 2026
Source: U.S. News & World Report
Top 50
in 100 Best Jobs of 2026
Source: U.S. News & World Report
Counseling career preparation
Once you graduate, you will be prepared to pursue counselor licensure and employment opportunities in settings nationwide. Online and on-campus students have access to the resources and services provided by the NYU Wasserman Center for Career Development, including one-on-one coaching, webinars, virtual career fairs, and guidance from career advisors who can help support your path toward internships and counseling careers.
How Counseling for Mental Health
and Wellness works
From applying to the program through your final internship, here’s how our MA in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness prepares you for professional counseling practice.
Submit your application
We offer rolling admissions, and no GRE is required to apply. We review your application holistically, focusing on your academic preparation, professional experience, and a demonstrated commitment to the counseling profession.
Start in January or September
Begin your studies alongside a collaborative cohort dedicated to shared learning and growth. With two start dates each year, you can choose the timeline that best aligns with your schedule and goals.
Complete online coursework and an on-campus immersion
Take your coursework online through a full-time (five-term) or part-time (10-term) pathway, building the clinical skills and knowledge needed for professional practice.
Advance through practicum and internship
Apply your knowledge through practicum and internship experiences at NYU-approved clinical sites. Prepare for professional practice under the guidance of licensed mental health counselors.
What students are saying about Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness
Join our next cohort of aspiring counselors
Prepare to become a mental health counselor equipped to serve diverse communities through rigorous clinical training grounded in self-awareness and social justice. Take the next step toward serving your community with NYU Steinhardt’s online modality of the Master of Arts in Counseling for Mental Health and Wellness.