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Program Overview

Completion Time: 24 – 36 months
Credits: 60
Supervised Hours: 700
Practicum Hours: 100
Internship Hours: 600
Format: In-Person
Flexibility: Full or Part-Time
Start Terms: Fall or Summer semesters

As the field of mental health counseling expands, so does the need for qualified counselors. Our CACREP-accredited Master of Science in Clinical Health Counseling program prepares you for New York State Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC) eligibility, while ensuring a general mastery of counseling service skills.

You’ll be trained in the application of psychotherapy principles, human development, and learning theory, as well as the etiology of mental illness and dysfunctional behavior to individuals, couples, families and groups. Upon graduation, you’ll become well-equipped to treat psychopathology and promote optimal mental health. 

Licensure, Registration, and Certification:

The 60-credit-hour program qualifies students for New York State Licensure – Licensed Mental Health Counselor (LMHC), as well as license-eligibility in all 50 states and 3 territories. Graduates may also be eligible to apply for national certification as a professional counselor (NCC) and clinical mental health counselor (CMHC). Additional years of experience are required for NCC and CMHC certification.

Canadian graduates of Niagara University’s Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) program may have the opportunity to pursue registration as Registered Psychotherapists (RP) through the College of Registered Psychotherapists of Ontario.

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4TeamBrock Mental Health Advocacy Scholarship

In partnership with 4TeamBrock — Western New York's mental health awareness nonprofit

The Clinical Mental Health Counseling (CMHC) Program at Niagara University is committed to preparing counselors who not only provide ethical and effective clinical services, but who also engage in advocacy, outreach, and community impact.

In partnership with the mission of 4TeamBrock — a Western New York nonprofit dedicated to mental health awareness, suicide prevention, and community-based support — this scholarship recognizes students who are committed to reducing stigma, fostering connection, and showing up for others in meaningful ways.

Recipients of this scholarship will receive $2,000 toward tuition and commit to engaging in mental health advocacy and suicide prevention efforts during their time in the program.

4TeamBrock was founded in memory of Brock Curtis, who did a lot of living in his short 24 years. He was a terrific athlete, an avid Buffalo Bills fan, and he enjoyed creative writing and poetry. He was passionate about truly engaging with people from different cultures — he traveled and lived in numerous locations, spending time on five continents. Two of his favorite trips were to West Africa and to Seoul, Korea.

Brock was diagnosed with Bipolar I approximately three years prior to his passing. The stigma he felt from his mental illness contributed to his shortened life.

4TeamBrock’s focus is to eliminate stigma and to prevent suicides. Mental health advocacy begins with honest conversations, community engagement, and helping individuals feel less alone.

Applicants must:

  • Be accepted into the Niagara University CMHC program (CACREP)
  • Demonstrate a commitment to mental health awareness, advocacy, and/or suicide prevention
  • Be willing to actively engage in community-based outreach and advocacy initiatives

Download the full application, complete all sections, and submit by email.

Contact Jennifer Beebe for more information.

Why Clinical Mental Health Counseling at NU?

Flexibility

Our courses are offered in the early evening in a variety of formats, including on-campus, online, and hybrid settings, to accommodate your schedule.

Affordability

Graduate assistantships, scholarship opportunities, and more than 60 different aid offers are available for qualified graduate students to make tuition more affordable.

Expert Faculty Advisement

You’ll receive individual attention and personal instruction from our award-winning faculty through small class settings and advisement throughout your studies.

Tomasina Cook
Niagara University’s program in mental health counseling provided me with the necessary skills, education and training to enhance my counseling techniques. This program has not only prepared me to be a mental health counselor, but also for the coursework requirements for licensure in New York state, and nationally.
Tomasina Cook

Discovery Awaits

What You’ll Study at Niagara University

You’ll begin your journey with foundational courses—such as Introduction to Counseling and Foundations and Ethics of Clinical Mental Health Counseling—and then progress to more specialized coursework in your second and third years. Throughout the program, you will develop essential counseling skills through applied learning experiences, receiving individualized guidance, feedback, and mentorship to strengthen your therapeutic competencies.

As part of your training, you will complete a 100-hour practicum followed by two internship experiences totaling 600 hours in a clinical setting under the supervision of a licensed mental health professional. These hands-on opportunities allow you to apply your knowledge in real-world environments and prepare you for professional practice.

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Find Your Best Self

Knowledge, Experience, and Skill Development

Cultivate knowledge, skills, and dispositions critical to effective clinical practice

Foundational background in ethics, legal, and professional standards

Critical analysis and experience with theories, evidence-based treatment models, cultural competence, and self-awareness

Prepare to Soar

Academic, Experiential, and Career Pathways

Careers

Counseling in:

  • Hospitals
  • Mental health clinics
  • Public agencies
  • Private counseling practices

Accreditations

Vital Statistics

Response Summary
The Response Summary
2023-2024 Annual Report
2023-2024 Annual Report
Female student with text "find your wings"

Ready to Apply?

Filling out an application is easy!

NU offers rolling admissions, which means that you can apply at any time for the upcoming semester. Applications are reviewed as they come in, and students are typically notified of an admission decision in 3-4 weeks. What’s stopping you?

Apply Now
*Learn more about our admissions process, policies & criteria

Main Contact

Dr. Jennifer Beebe

Dr. Jennifer Beebe

Professor

View Dr. Jennifer Beebe's Profile »

Email

Program Faculty

Dr. Kristine M. Augustyniak

Professor

View Dr. Kristine M. Augustyniak's Profile »

Tatjana Cownie

Field Placement Coordinator

View Tatjana Cownie's Profile »

Molly McDermott,  M.S., MHC-P

Faculty Fellow of Clinical Mental Health Counseling
Coordinator of the CMHC Bridge Program

View Molly McDermott,  M.S., MHC-P's Profile »

Gary E. Schaffer, PhD

Assistant Professor of School Psychology

View Gary E. Schaffer, PhD's Profile »

Dr. Joellen Stender

Assistant Professor

View Dr. Joellen Stender's Profile »

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