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Licensed Mental Health Counselors have a master’s degree in counseling and provide evaluation, assessment, treatment and consultation services for adults and children, families and communities.
Become a Licensed Mental Health Counselor
As a student in Russell Sage College’s accredited counseling master’s program, you’ll take academic, clinical and research classes in the behavioral sciences and build therapeutic skills under the supervision of licensed professionals.
Our master’s degree in Counseling and Community Psychology is approved by the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions. When you graduate, you will be eligible to take the exam required to practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) in New York state.
Faculty
As a counseling psychology master’s candidate, you will learn from respected practitioners and scientists, with expertise in:
- Developmental psychology
- Cognition and memory
- Close relationships
- Counseling and positive psychology
- Biopsychology and evolutionary psychology
- Statistical analysis/research design
- Community psychology
- Intimate partner violence
- Multicultural, diversity and indigenous issues
- Environmental concerns
More About Our Master’s Degree in Counseling
Our 60-credit counseling master’s program is ideal for working adults. Classes are held on Russell Sage College’s campuses in Albany and Troy, New York. Most classes are offered in the evenings; some weekend or reduced-seat time classes are available.
Most students complete their counseling psychology master’s degree in three years by taking two to three classes a semester, including summers.
Special Opportunities
You may opt to add a certificate in Forensic Mental Health. This opportunity is designed for students who want to work in forensic settings, with individuals with both mental health needs and criminal justice involvement.
Counseling and Community Psychology students may also apply for the Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor in Training (CASAC-T) certification, administered by the New York State Office of Substance Abuse Services (OASAS). This credential helps students stand out for internship and career opportunities.
Spotlights
Meet students, faculty and alumni from our counseling master’s program.
Careers with a Master’s Degree in Counseling
Graduates of Sage’s Counseling & Community Psychology program become Licensed Mental Health Counselors and enter private and group practices or join state and county agencies, health care systems, universities, school districts, human service agencies and more.
You will also conduct research and may be eligible for research funding from Russell Sage College’s Broughton Graduate Fellowship or Paul Search Research Award in Community Psychology, or from the American Psychological Association.
Professional organizations and conferences are another opportunity to network and learn. Our students have presented research at the American Psychological Association’s national and regional conferences and Russell Sage College’s Graduate Research symposium.
This master’s degree in Counseling and Community Psychology prepares students for work as Licensed Mental Health Counselors in accordance with the best practices in education and training recognized by the Master’s in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council. Graduates have a foundation in ethical practices, understand intersectionality of multiple identities and respect multicultural perspectives.
Accreditation
The M.A. in Counseling and Community Psychology Program is accredited by the
Masters in Psychology and Counseling Accreditation Council (MPCAC) for the period of November 2020 through November 2028.
Program Data
| Number of applicants | 82 |
| Number of acceptances | 49 |
| Percent accepted | 60% |
| Number of enrollees | 30 |
| Percent enrolled | 61% |
| Number of total students (part-time and full-time) | 92 |
| Graduates (Aug/Dec/May) | 19 |
| Number of core full-time faculty | 7 |
| Faculty to student ratio | 1:12 |
| Courses taught by adjunct faculty | 15% |
| Outcome: Licensed | 90-95% |
Application Process
Applicants to Russell Sage College’s master’s degree in Counseling and Community Psychology should have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0. Applicants who didn’t major in Psychology should have completed undergraduate courses in Social Science Statistics and History and Systems of Psychology and three additional courses in behavioral sciences.
Please include the following items with your with your application to Russell Sage College’s master’s program in Counseling and Community Psychology:
- official transcripts from all the post-secondary institutions you attended
- two letters of recommendation,
- one-to-two page essay describing your career goals and
- resume
Upon request, you may schedule an interview with the Counseling and Community Psychology Graduate Program Director once you have submitted your application materials.
Students are accepted for the fall and spring semesters.
