Department of Psychology Division of Graduate Studies Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Graduate Programs at Brooklyn College

Since 1935, the Division of Graduate Studies at Brooklyn College has provided an excellent graduate education at reasonable cost. The division offers more than 60 full-time and part-time programs leading to master's degrees and advanced certificates. Its proximity to New York City provides opportunities for internships and field study in Manhattan, Brooklyn, and throughout New York.

Graduate Programs in Psychology

Brooklyn College's Department of Psychology is well-known for its talented faculty and progressive research into the psychological functioning of the human brain. In fact, distinguished psychologists such as Abraham Maslow, Solomon Asch, and Harry Helson have served as faculty members.

The department offers master's degree programs in 3 areas: experimental psychology, industrial and organizational psychology, and mental health counseling.

Challenging coursework, solid internships, comprehensive clinical training, and cutting-edge research enable students to gain a thorough understanding of their fields of study.

M.A. in Mental Health Counseling Overview

The M.A. program in mental health counseling (MHC) provides in-depth knowledge about 3 approaches to counseling: psychodynamic, experiential/humanistic, and cognitive-behavioral. With a primary focus on clinical work with adults and families, the program addresses the needs of individuals who are training for licensure in mental health counseling.

Through coursework and clinical training, students gain the ability to apply mental health approaches to contemporary practice, assessment, and treatment. Upon completion of the program, they are prepared to work as mental health counselors in medical, community, and private practice settings.

Once graduates have completed 3,000 hours of supervised, post-degree work, they are eligible to take the licensure examination. Passing the exam allows them to pursue counseling careers in private and independent practices.

Mental Health Counseling Program Curriculum

In the first semester of study, students take an introductory class in mental health counseling. Students also take courses in developmental psychology, psychopathology, and clinical assessment and explore the social, linguistic, and cultural foundations of counseling.

In addition, students undertake coursework in the psychodynamic and cognitive-behavioral approaches to counseling. They gain clinical experience in the practicum course, which involves working with clients in the Brooklyn College Personal Counseling Program.

MHC Internships

During the second year of the program, students complete a 600-hour, unpaid internship that gives them the opportunity to focus on a particular treatment approach, work with a specific client population, or gain broad clinical training.

They may complete their internships in various clinical environments such as mental health agencies, clinics, hospitals, and counseling centers. They may also work in settings that offer programs for specific issues such as domestic abuse, substance abuse, or eating disorders.

Clinical sites include Bellevue Hospital Center, Institute for Community Living, and Seton Hall University Counseling Services. Students must receive on-site supervision for the duration of their internships.

Mental Health Counseling Degree Requirements

The mental health counseling program is an intensive, full-time, year-round program that can be completed in 2 years. Each year includes a fall semester, January intercession, and spring semester. A summer intercession takes place between years 1 and 2.

To earn an M.A. degree in Mental Health Counseling, students must complete 60 credits of coursework. Forty-eight of them must be taken in the psychology department.

In addition, students must pass a comprehensive examination that can be taken after completing 48 credits.

MHC Faculty Members

The faculty members in the mental health counseling program are skilled clinicians and researchers who have supervisory experience and backgrounds working in medical centers, hospitals, agencies, and private practices.

Several faculty members are full-time staff supervisors at the Brooklyn College Personal Counseling Program and others are members of the Department of Psychology who have clinical and neuropsychological backgrounds.

Resources at Brooklyn College

Food services, health services, a fitness center, legal counseling, personal counseling, security escort services, and a 24-hour emergency medical hotline -- among other services -- contribute to students' well-being and ability to excel academically.

Although on-campus housing is not provided, the college does maintain a housing and roommate referral service that connects students to housing near campus or in surrounding areas.

In addition, support services such as the Brooklyn College Library, Enrollment Services Center, and Learning Center as well as academic advising and ESL programs help students achieve academic success.

Advantages of a Mental Health Counseling Degree

Brooklyn College's M.A. program in mental health counseling helps students become successful counselors and therapists. The program's combination of expert faculty, challenging coursework, and structured clinical practice make it possible for students to gain the theoretical and clinical skills necessary to work with diverse populations in a variety of therapeutic settings.

Other Psychology M.A. Degrees at Brooklyn College

The M.A. program in experimental psychology prepares students for careers in basic and applied research. Students may choose concentrations in cognition, learning, and perception as well as physiological, developmental, and social psychology.

The M.A. program in industrial and organizational psychology offers concentrations in human relations and organizational psychology and behavior.

The human relations concentration emphasizes group process and evaluation techniques while the organizational psychology and behavior concentration focuses on organizational processes.

Students who complete these programs are prepared to pursue careers as management generalists and human resources specialists.

Graduate Study at Brooklyn College

Established in 1930, Brooklyn College is a senior college in the City University of New York (CUNY) higher education system. Comprised of 23 institutions, CUNY is the largest urban, public university in the United States.

Located in Brooklyn, one of the 5 boroughs in New York City, Brooklyn College offers its students an outstanding, but affordable, education. The college provides over 60 graduate programs.

Nationally-recognized academic programs, expert faculty members, and an abundance of resources help graduate students gain the skills and knowledge needed to become successful professionals.

• Degrees Offered
• Major Degree Levels Offered
• Industrial And Organizational Psychology Master of Arts (MA) [human relations]
  Master of Arts (MA) [organizational behavior]
• Psychology Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• Experimental Psychology Master of Arts (MA)
• Mental Health Counseling Master of Arts (MA)

• Degrees Awarded
• Master's Degrees 75
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported
• * Shows the number of degrees awarded for the last academic year that data was reported.

• Earning Your Degree
• Part-time study available? Yes
• Evening/weekend programs available? Not reported
• Distance learning programs available? Not reported
• Terminal master's degree available? Not reported

• Degree Requirements
• Master's Degrees Required and Required for some
• Doctoral Degrees Not reported
• First Professional Degrees Not reported
• Other Advanced Degrees Not reported

• Acceptance Rate
• Applied331
• Accepted144
• Acceptance Rate43%
• Enrolled88
• Applying
• Application Fee - Domestic $125
• Application Fee - International $125
• Electronic applications accepted? Yes
• Applications processed on a rolling basis? Yes
• Application Deadlines
• Type Domestic International Priority Date
• Fall deadline March 1st February 1st Not Reported
• Winter deadline Not Reported Not Reported Not Reported
• Spring deadline November 1st October 1st Not Reported
• Entrance Requirements
• Master's Degreesminimum GPA of 3.0, 2 letters of recommendation, essay
• Doctoral's DegreesGRE
• First-Professional's DegreesNot Reported
• Other Advanced DegreesNot Reported
• International DegreesTOEFL required, 520 paper based, TOEFL iBT

• Tuition & Fees
• In-state tuition *$7,360
• Out-of-state tuition *$13,800
• International student tuitionNot Reported
• * Tuition for full-time graduate student per academic year
• Fees
• Per-academic year feesNot Reported
• Per-term feesNot Reported
• One-time feeNot Reported
• * Fees for full-time graduate students
• Financial Support
• Financial award applicants must submitFAFSA
• Application deadlines for financial awardsMay 1
• Types of financial support availableTuition Waivers, Career or Field-Related Internships, Federal Work-Study, Financial Support for Part-time Students, Institutionally-sponsored Loans, Scholarship and/or loans

• Gender
• Total Graduate Students225
• Female Percentage78%
• Male Percentage22%
• Participation
• Total Graduate Students225
• Part-time Percentage63%
• Full-time Percentage37%
• Ethnicity
• Hispanic / Latino10%
• Black / African American31%
• White / Caucasian51%
• American Indian / Alaskan Native0%
• Asian9%
• Native Hawaiian / Other Pacific Islander0%
• Two or more races0%
• Unknown-1%