Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology (M.A.)

Mission Statement:

The graduate programs in psychology at Russell Sage College prepare students for work as mental health counselors and community psychologists. The programs have been designed for students who have made a commitment to advance social justice, to promote the well-being of individuals, families and groups with varying cultural traditions, and to develop change strategies to address social issues in diverse communities through the application of psychological principles, research and methods.

The 60-credit program in Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology addresses expected competencies for mental health counselors working with individuals, groups and/or families. 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. Students learn how to provide evaluation, assessment, treatment and consultation services in community agencies serving adults, children and families.

Students enrolled in the Mental Health Counseling and Community Psychology Masters Program may also elect to pursue a Certificate in Forensic Mental Health.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the general admission requirements for Sage Graduate School, applicants must:

• have a minimum undergraduate GPA 3.0 for regular admission to the program.
• have completed undergraduate courses in Social Science Statistics and History & Systems of Psychology (not required for undergraduate psychology majors)
• have taken at least three undergraduate courses in Behavioral Sciences (for non-psychology majors)
• schedule an interview with the Graduate Program Director, following submission of all application materials.

Degree Requirements

1. Completion of all required and elective courses (60 credit hours).
2. Completion of a community psychology externship (3 credit hours) and a mental health counseling internship (6 credit hours).  The completion of 45 credit hours is necessary before beginning the externship placement.  All required content courses must be completed before beginning the mental health counseling internship. 
3. Completion of a thesis (3 credit hours) or research seminar (3 credit hours).

Program Summary

• All courses are three (3) credits