Mental Health Counseling MS

Join our established and respected program to prepare yourself for a dynamic career as a mental health counselor. Small class sizes and close interaction with our esteemed faculty will prepare you to enhance your professional development in various mental health counseling capacities.

Quick Facts

Application Deadline February 1

You Can Start Summer or Fall

Delivery Option(s) Main Campus, Syracuse Campus

Cost Per Credit Hour $471

Credit Hours 60

Estimated Completion Time 2 Years

Overview

Our Council for Accreditation of Counseling and Related Educational Programs (CACREP) accredited program prepares students with the listening, problem-solving, treatment planning and case consultation skills needed for a successful future in the field. The program consists of 60 credits, which allows you to create relationships with area leaders for future opportunities, plus see the skills, theories and ethics utilized in the practice.

Curriculum

Master of Science

Practice and Field Experiences

Oswego partners with local counseling practices where you will work with real situations and real clients. 

Outcomes

Graduates of our program will be prepared to work as licensed, professional, mental health counselors in a variety of settings. The mental health counseling program satisfies the state educational requirements leading toward professional licensure and prepares students to sit for a licensing exam. Students interested in becoming a Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor can also take additional coursework to prepare for the state exam.

Career Opportunities

  • Licensed Mental Health Counselor
  • Mental Health Professional
  • NYS credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor (CASAC)

The Mental Health Counseling program at SUNY Oswego provided me with the necessary training to work in a field that I am passionate about.

Program Resources

Information Sessions

Learn about our graduate programs through our information sessions today!

Register Today
screenshot of the segment on bridgestreet with two hosts and suny oswego professor

Professor Jason Duffy discusses Oswego's mental health counseling program on Bridge Street, which focuses on practical experience. Top earners yield $100K+ and an average salary of approximately $70K.

Watch Bridge Street segment>

two female students talking in a classroom

Available at the Syracuse Campus

Oswego's mental health counseling program is also available at the Syracuse Campus, offering you the opportunity to study in your backyard.

Syracuse Campus

CACREP Accredited

Research shows CACREP graduates perform better on the National Counselor Examination for Licensure and Certification (NCE). 





Diversity Graduate Fellowship Program

Prospective students may be eligible for an award which includes an annual stipend, in addition to fully-paid tuition for full-time study.

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More than 120 Graduate Assistantships Offered

Assistantships provide an opportunity to gain experience through professional work on campus.

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$500,000

in total awards given every year to our graduate students

See Funding Opportunities


The Power of SUNY Tuition

Achieving your long-term career goals shouldn’t come at the expense of your immediate financial security. Oswego offers low tuition compared to many private colleges. Never sacrificing quality for affordability, our graduate students are receiving a nationally accredited program that will translate into effective knowledge and opportunities.

Application Requirements

Official transcript
Submit official transcripts confirming your bachelor’s or master’s degree/advanced certificate. This includes graduate-level coursework or post-baccalaureate degree/certificate. U.S. transcripts must be sent directly from the granting institution (electronic or mail). All international transcripts require verification via a World Education Services (WES) credit evaluation. If you are a SUNY Oswego alum, your official transcript will be automatically requested after entering your student ID and identifying SUNY Oswego as your school on the application upon submitting your application.
GPA of at least 3.0

A minimum cumulative grade point average of 3.0 or better is required for applicants. If you have questions regarding your GPA, please speak to the department advisor for further information.

GRE optional

Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores are optional for admission into the program. Applicants have the option to submit a test score as part of their application package.

Department interview

As a prospective student, you will meet with faculty to assess your skills and goals for attending the program. Email confirmation regarding interviews with a time and date will be sent out two to four weeks after submission deadline.

Statement of purpose

In 500 words or less, describe your personal achievements relating to your academic interests, and detail your educational and professional objectives with reasoning for applying to SUNY Oswego. This statement will help the review team better understand and evaluate your application.

Resume

Include a professional resume or curriculum vitae that includes your academic history, professional background and any accomplishments of note. This document should provide details that support your admittance to the program.

Two letters of recommendation

Indicate two names with valid email addresses. We will send an email request directly to the references on your behalf. These references should be able to speak to your character, work ethic and abilities.

Application fee

Prospective students are charged a non-refundable $65 fee for processing the application.

International admissions

Important: All international transcripts must be verified through a World Education Services (WES) credit evaluation as part of your application.

English Language Proficiency: Submit official TOEFL (79 overall, MBA 83) or IELTS (6.5) scores, unless exempt.

Visa and I-20 Documentation: After acceptance, upload your financial documents and passport copy to receive your Form I-20 for your visa application.

For more details, please visit Application Requirements for International Graduate Students.

Professional Licensure Disclosure Statement

All academic programs offered by SUNY Oswego that lead to a state license or certification in a particular profession have been designed to meet state licensing requirements in the state of New York. Our programs are not designed to meet licensure requirements in other states. If you plan to pursue a license in a particular profession in a state other than New York after you graduate, it is your responsibility to determine whether our curriculum will meet the requirements in the state where you plan to live and work. For questions about licensure disclosure, please contact SUNY Oswego's Provost Office.

Phone: 315-312-2290 

Email: provost@oswego.edu.

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