Counselor Education

The Graduate Programs in Counseling prepare individuals for careers as professional counselors in educational, mental health and community settings. The rigorous and demanding training process includes a sequenced combination of psychological foundation courses, clinical technique labs, and practicum/internship fieldwork placements. There is an emphasis on self-awareness, multicultural sensitivity, and critical thinking as it impacts clinical interventions that facilitate development within ecological contexts.

Counselor Education Program Mission

The Queens College Counselor Education program prepares students to practice counseling as culturally-sensitive professionals in schools and mental health settings. Our goal is to prepare students to learn the knowledge and skills specified by current preparation standards and best practices in the counseling profession. Our students demonstrate their mastery in counseling by applying the knowledge and skills to help individuals, families and organizations that promote self-awareness, ethical counseling practice, social justice, emotional wellbeing and adjusting to current stressors. Our graduates are prepared to meet the New York State guidelines governing school counseling certification and mental health counseling licensure.

Counselor Education Program Objectives

The Queens College Counselor Education program objectives reflect current knowledge from counseling and the development needs of a multi-ethnic and culturally and linguistically diverse society. In addition, the program evaluation process utilizes and incorporates feedback from key stakeholders including students, alumni, employers of graduates, supervisors of our students, and professionals in the institution, community, and schools. Objectives are directly related to program activities and are routinely assessed and updated. These objectives are aligned with the CACREP Standards for Mental Health and School Counseling entry-level programs.

The program objectives are:

1. To develop candidates who demonstrate professional counseling identities and who understand the importance of ethical practice and the influence of self-awareness in counseling.
2. To develop candidates who demonstrate multicultural competencies and engage in advocacy and social justice practice.
3. To develop candidates who demonstrate knowledge of current research and utilize empirically based counseling approaches, individual and group counseling skills, and assessment methods.
4. To develop candidates who demonstrate developmentally informed knowledge and skills specific to school or mental health counseling.

The 60-credit Master of Science in Education (MSED) degree leads to New York State Certification in School Counseling. The school counseling programs can be completed in two years full time (which requires attending classes 2-3 days per week and some afternoon classes) or three years part time (which requires 2 days per week during the afternoon and evening).

The 60 credit Master of Science (MS) degree in Mental Health Counseling is registered with New York State and leads licensure (LMHC). This program can be completed in two years full time (which requires attending classes 2-3 days per week and some afternoon classes) or three years part time (which requires attending classes 2 days per week during the afternoon and evening).

Responsible preparation for work in school and mental health settings requires that in addition to meeting academic standards candidates demonstrate appropriate professionalism in appearance, demeanor, and personal characteristics. Such characteristics include, but are not limited to, communication skills, interpersonal skills, professional judgment, insight, compassion and ethical conduct. Candidates must also demonstrate appropriate personal, professional, and ethical conduct as established by the program and counseling profession (e.g. ethical and professional standards in school counseling and mental health counseling). In addition, candidates are expected to demonstrate sensitivity to client issues and effective management of personal stress or adjustment difficulties. All candidates are subject to review, and sanctions, such as remediation and/or dismissal may result from deficiencies.

In order to maintain matriculation and complete the program, students must receive a favorable review with regards to:

1. Grades (a minimum GPA of 3.0).
2. Attendance, punctuality, and participation in classes.
3. Personal, professional, and ethical conduct as established by the program.

For more information please see the Counselor Education Student Handbook and the Counseling Fieldwork Guide.