Lehman College has received final approval from New York State to offer the Master of Science (M.S.) degree in Counselor Education: Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CE: CMHC). The degree program, which leads to New York State licensure in clinical mental health counseling, received the approval of the CUNY Board of Trustees in December 2021, and was registered this week by the New York State Department of Education.

Its weekend-based method of instruction designed for working professionals and career-changers makes it the only full-time clinical mental health counseling program of its kind in The City University of New York's system.

Housed in the School of Education, the program prepares students to work in varied environments such as private practice, substance-misuse counseling, not-for-profits, community-based organizations, businesses, government agencies, and healthcare. Most notably, it provides opportunities for high-quality, equity-focused, accessible, and affordable graduate education in clinical mental health counseling for residents of the Bronx and surrounding areas.

The program's design is unique within CUNY, employing a combination of in-person, remote, and hybrid instruction within a project-based learning framework. The curriculum comprises self-directed, experiential learning activities, including 100 hours of practicum and 600 hours of internship in clinical mental health settings.

Following a specific course sequence, cohort members attend classes on Saturdays throughout the year and graduate in two years—making the program especially appealing to adult learners and career-changing professionals. Graduates will be equipped with the clinical tools and culturally-affirming knowledge and skills to address a variety of mental health issues including anxiety, depression, and trauma that are rising locally and nationally. 

The 60-credit, full-time, cohort-based program will begin in Summer 2023.

Information on how to apply to the M.S. in CE: CMHC program will be available on Lehman College’s Counselor Education homepage later in the fall semester.

This marks the second new program in the School of Education registered by New York State in July. Its innovative doctoral program in Organizational Leadership, Development, and Change received approval earlier in the month.