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Master's & CAS Programs

The Department of Counseling Psychology at the University at Albany offers two master’s programs: rehabilitation counseling and mental health counseling. The department also offers a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS) in school counseling. In addition, there is a combined Bachelor’s/Master’s program in counseling for University at Albany undergraduates who are psychology majors.

Rehabilitation Counseling Program

The 57-credit Rehabilitation Counseling program is an accredited program that leads to national certification as a Rehabilitation Counselor (CRC). Graduates, who receive an M.S. in this program, tend to be employed in a variety of settings working with individuals with some type of disability (e.g., substance abuse settings, mental health facilities, sheltered workshops, rehabilitation hospitals, and other facilities that deal with special need individuals). Opportunities include private rehabilitation agencies and schools and colleges. This program enrolls 10-15 students per year.

Mental Health Counseling Program (formerly Community Counseling)

The 60-credit Mental Health Counseling Program has been approved by the New York State Office of Professions and can lead to a license in Mental health Counseling. It includes the ‘core” offering of the other programs, and allows students to define their clinical interests through selection of clientele and sites for internship. The program admits 10-15 students each year. Clinical practice sites include the full range of mental health services and agencies.

School Counseling Program

The 60-credit School Counseling Program is a State Education Department certified program that leads to provisional certification as a school guidance counselor. This certification is to work in elementary, middle and secondary schools in the State of New York as a guidance counselor. This program admits roughly 10 students per year. Students graduating from this program receive a Certificate of Advanced Study (CAS).

Combined BA/MS Program

Students admitted to the combined BA/MS program are allowed to take a maximum of 12 graduate credits before completing their undergraduate degree. Students apply to either the Rehabilitation Counseling or Mental Health Counseling master's programs during their junior year. These credits are applied to both the undergraduate and graduate programs. (Undergraduate credits may not be used to fulfill the psychology elective requirements, however.) Upon graduation with the Bachelor's degree, students begin full-time graduate work. Typically, students obtain the Bachelor's degree in May, begin the graduate program in June, and complete the Master's program in December of the following year.