We’ll put you on the path to become an LMHC

Our master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology is approved by the New York State Education Department’s Office of the Professions. Graduates are eligible to take the exam required to practice as a Licensed Mental Health Counselor in New York state.

(We offer a Community Psychology master’s for those not seeking licensure as a LMHC.)

  • Flexible format: Courses are delivered online through a mix of live online meetings in the evenings (particularly clinical courses) and asynchronous courses taken on your schedule. Secure required in-person internships at a location near you with guidance from our dedicated internship coordinator.
  • We combine community psychology and counseling in a way other programs don’t: You’ll learn to work directly with clients and to view mental health from a macro level.
  • We provide a comprehensive curriculum: You’ll take academic, clinical, and research classes in the behavioral sciences and build therapeutic skills under the supervision of licensed professionals. We also offer courses in family counseling, psychopharmacology, and substance abuse counseling.
  • New concentrations: Three elective courses are built into the program, and you can focus them around one of three specialty areas – Trauma and Acute Care, Couples and Family Counseling, or Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling – adding a concentration to your master’s degree.

Mental Health Counseling vs. Social Work

Many students ask whether they should pursue becoming a Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) or Licensed Clinical Social Worker (LCSW). 

While your career path is a personal choice, we wanted to help you by breaking down the difference in licensing requirements in New York state, so you can understand your educational journey, licensing requirements, and scope of practice for each route.

Compare LMHC and LCSW (PDF)

Concentrations and Certificates

You can earn additional concentrations and credentials for more marketability.

Use your program electives toward a concentration in any of these areas:

  • Trauma-Informed Counseling
  • Neuropsychology
  • Choose from either: Risk and Resilience or Psychopharmacology
  • Family Counseling
  • Couples Counseling
  • Choose from either: Child Psychopathology or Intro to Play Therapy (this course must be taken in-person)
  • Alcoholism/Drug Addiction: Vulnerabilities, Dynamics & Problems
  • Chemical Dependence Education & Prevention
  • Neuropsychology

Earn an additional certification:

  • Students who choose to concentrate in Substance Abuse and Addiction Counseling will also complete the requirements for obtaining Credentialed Alcohol and Substance Abuse Counselor Trainee (CASAC-T) certification. The certification is for those who provide direct clinical care services and substance use disorder counseling.

Course Requirements

Credits and Completion

Our master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology program is 60 credits and can be completed full time in approximately three years. The program has been registered with New York State Education Department as meeting the educational qualifications leading to licensure as a Mental Health Counselor in New York state.

This program is registered with the New York State Department of Education and meets the education requirements for the New York state Licensed Mental Health Counselor credential. Students who want to become licensed in other states will need to research educational requirements specific to the state(s) of interest.

View Program Catalog
Psychology Graduate Programs Handbook 2024-2025

Number of applicants58
Number of acceptances54
Percent accepted93%
Number of enrollees35
Percent enrolled65%
Number of total students (part-time and full-time)84
Graduates (Aug/Dec/May)19
Number of core full-time faculty7
Faculty to student ratio1:12
Courses taught by adjunct faculty19%
Percent of graduates from 2019 to 2021 who are now Licensed Mental Health Counselors in NYS60%

M.A. in Counseling & Community Psychology 2022-2023 (in-person program)

Application Requirements

Now taking applications for a fall 2025 start.

Space will be limited so apply by May 20, 2025, for a chance to secure your spot.

Applicants should have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and should have completed undergraduate courses in Social Science Statistics, History and Systems of Psychology, and three additional courses in behavioral sciences.

  • Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended
  • Two letters of recommendation (when many other colleges require three)
  • A one- to two-page essay describing your career goals
  • A resume
  • An RSC graduate school application
  • GRE scores are not required
Apply Now
Personal advising, experienced faculty

Our master’s program comes with a deep, Russell Sage-level of support from an assigned faculty advisor who works with you to ensure your success.

Alicia
Harlow, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Psychology, Chair and Graduate Program Director

Learn more about Alicia
Gayle Morse
Gayle
Morse, Ph.D.

Professor of Psychology

Learn more about Gayle
Patricia A.
O’Connor

Professor of Psychology

Learn more about Patricia
Justin
Kimber, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology

Learn more about Justin

“Students with a master’s degree in counseling walk out the door with jobs. There’s such a need for counselors that they have jobs immediately.”

Gayle Morse, Ph.D., Professor

Your Future Career with a Master’s in Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology

Graduates of Russell Sage’s Mental Health Counseling and 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.

Internships

As a counseling psychology master’s candidate, you will work therapeutically with clients in person under the supervision of licensed, registered professionals. Students will be guided through the process of finding an internship site near them by our dedicated internship coordinator.

Research

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 Networking

Professional organizations and conferences are another opportunity to learn. Our students have presented research at the American Psychological Association’s national and regional conferences and Russell Sage College’s Graduate Research symposium.

M.A. in Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology Spotlights

Meet students and alumni from our counseling master’s program.

Student
2023, 2026
Ruth Martin

Six days after Ruth Martin’s internship at Unity House’s PROS ended, she returned as an employee. “This is my dream …

Read More
Alumni
Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology Master’s Program (M.A.) 2023
Amanda Abel

Amanda Abel ’23 is already applying her M.A. in Counseling and Community Psychology as a mental health counselor for Northpointe …

Read More
Student
Kiara Maher

Kiara Maher is a Troy native and always knew of Russell Sage College as a “tight community.”  But what really …

Read More
Student
Evangeline Murphy

“I am motivated to work with underserved populations, specifically for nonprofits,” says Evangeline Murphy, who is pursuing a master’s degree …

Read More
Student
2022
Nana Ama Boateng

Counseling and Community Psychology master’s degree candidate Nana Ama Boateng was one of five Russell Sage College students who participated …

Read More

Related Resources

A person in a red blouse sits with hands clasped during a counseling session, with tissues and clipboard nearby

Explore Psychology Career Paths with a Master’s Degree

Psychology is a broad and rewarding field, offering professionals the chance to make meaningful impacts in people’s lives. With a master’s degree in psychology, you gain access to a wide range of opportunities — whether you’re passionate about clinical work, human services, research, or specialized roles in schools, communities, and corporations. The need for mental […]

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Need help?
Alicia Harlow, Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Psychology, Chair and Graduate Program Director
[email protected]
518-244-2223

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