Master’s in Counseling Degrees in New York – Explore Online and On-Campus Options

If you are considering pursuing a counseling degree in New York, there are a variety of on-campus and online options available. Different programs offer different specializations, such as clinical mental health counseling, school counseling and community counseling.

Pursuing a degree in counseling in New York may open up a variety of career options, and some programs may provide pathways to licensure. A number of programs offer pathways to becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York state. There are dozens of master’s programs in New York that offer degrees in counseling, so it’s important to research each program individually to decide which program is right for you.

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  • As few as 21 months to complete
  • GRE not required 

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In This Article:

Education and Other Requirements for Counseling Licensure in New York

To become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York, you must meet education, supervised experience, exam, and training requirements set by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions, with oversight by the State Board for Mental Health Practitioners.

Education (degree + core content)

NYSED requires a master’s degree or higher that meets the state’s professional education standards. This can be satisfied by completing a program that is:

  • NYSED-registered as licensure-qualifying, or
  • CACREP-accredited as a clinical mental health counseling program (60 semester hours), or
  • determined by NYSED to be the substantial equivalent of a registered/accredited program.

In general, licensure-qualifying education is 60 graduate semester hours (NYSED has specific rules for certain older 48-credit programs, depending on when the program was completed and when you apply).

Internship/practicum

As part of the degree, NYSED expects a supervised internship/practicum in mental health counseling and psychotherapy. For some applicants, especially those from non–NYSED-registered or non-CACREP pathways, NYSED may require additional documentation to verify this supervised clinical training.

Supervised post-degree experience

After completing your graduate degree, you must document at least 3,000 clock hours of supervised experience providing mental health counseling in a setting acceptable to NYSED (often completed under a limited permit).

Exam + required training + fees

To meet the examination requirement, you must pass the National Clinical Mental Health Counselor Examination (NCMHCE); NYSED notes that the NCE is not acceptable for LMHC licensure. New York also requires training/coursework in child abuse identification and reporting from an approved provider, and you must pay the applicable state fees when you apply.

Salary and Career Outlook for Counselors in New York

Understanding salary expectations and career outlooks is an important part of your research to determine whether becoming a counselor in New York is a good fit for you. Below, you’ll find information about median and mean salaries and job growth rates for various counseling careers based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).

School and career counselors

Marriage and family therapists

Rehabilitation counselors

Substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors

Counselors, all other

  • Annual mean salary (as of May 2024): $58,070
  • Annual mean salary of counselors in New York: $71,240

FAQ

Below are some frequently asked questions related to pursuing a master’s degree in counseling in New York.

What degree do I need to become a marriage and family therapist in New York?

Licensure is administered by the New York State Education Department (NYSED) Office of the Professions, under the State Board for Mental Health Practitioners. To be eligible for licensure, you must have a master’s degree (or higher) that meets board standards, complete 1,500 clock hours of supervised practice in the field and pass an examination.

How much do mental health therapists make in New York?

How much you earn as a mental health therapist will vary based on a variety of factors, including employer, years of experience and more. According to the BLS, mental health therapists (defined by the bureau as substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors) make an average yearly salary of $69,290 in New York.

What jobs can I get with a master’s degree in counseling in New York?

A master’s degree in counseling may provide you with a variety of career options. Some common positions for people with this degree include behavioral therapists, dual-diagnosis clinicians, care coordinators, behavioral health counselors, case managers, grief and bereavement counselors, substance abuse counselors, child and adolescent counselors, program directors, school counselors and licensed mental health counselors.

Is mental health counseling a good career in New York?

Whether or not mental health counseling is a good career for you depends on your interests and professional goals. Earning potential in the state where you intend to practice may also influence your decision to become an LMHC. According to the BLS, New York had the fourth highest level of employment for substance abuse, behavioral disorder and mental health counselors in 2024. BLS statistics also show that the annual salary for this occupation can exceed the national average (see above).

What is the job outlook for school counselors in New York?

According to the BLS, New York has the third highest level of employment for education, guidance and career counselors. 

How much does a school counselor make with a master’s degree in New York?

According to data from the BLS, the average yearly salary for school counselors (defined by the bureau as educational, guidance and career counselors and advisors) in New York is $77,720.

Information last updated: January 2026